Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal, a documentary series on Netflix, is compelling and unsettling in every manner possible, living up to its title. This is due to the fact that it uses both first-person narratives from individuals who were there and archived film to fully illuminate the titular family’s decline from prominence. Hence, it should come as no surprise that their reputation as a formidable family law firm, the numerous fatalities linked to their name, and some damaging charges of fraud and drug usage all take centre stage here.
While Alex Murdaugh is accused of killing his family, this Jenner Furst and Julia Nason original is actually the best way for newbies to learn about the Murdaugh case. For all, despite being audacious, dark, and twisted, it avoids sensationalising the truth to the point that it leaves us with more questions than answers about the most important South Carolina episodes. The following docuseries are available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Hulu if you’ve already binge-watched “Murdaugh Murders” and are seeking for something similarly compelling.
A Wilderness of Error (2020)
A Wilderness of Error, a five-part documentary series on FX, is directed by Academy Award-nominated film producer Marc Smerling and explores the horrifying concept of familial homicide. In fact, it accomplishes this by focusing on Army physician Jeffrey MacDonald, who was found guilty of murdering Colette Stevenson, his wife, and their two young children, Kimberley and Kristen, on February 17, 1970.
On the one side, there is the most contentious triple homicide case, in which the defendant asserts his innocence. On the other hand, they are both equally intriguing due to the double homicide of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh on June 7, 2021, which was possibly committed by their husband/father, attorney Alex Murdaugh, as depicted in “Murdaugh Murders.”
How I Caught My Killer? (2023)
Even if “How I Found My Killer?” is a rather original production whose title perfectly captures its idea, its format and emotional pacing make it just as binge-worthy as “Murdaugh Murders.” This Hulu mini-original is divided into nine 45–50 minute episodes, each of which focuses on a separate murder without really affecting the coverage of the case in any way. As a result, the focus of this documentary series continues to be in-depth exclusive interviews, real archive material, dramatic re-creations, and the backgrounds of the victims.
Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty
Like the Netflix original and the aforementioned ID docuseries, HBO Max’s “Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty” covers the namesake dynasty from its very roots, but it also differs in several important ways. This particular three-part series, which was directed by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, is really likely the most in-depth of the three due to the sheer volume of interviews and historical material it meticulously explores. It goes above and above to expose the alleged facts, from the Murdaughs’ decades of significant influence to the fatalities associated with them to the financial crimes purportedly performed by Alex alone.
Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty
The Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty on Investigation Discovery and the Murdaugh Murders on Netflix both follow the same storyline, however there is a variation in the depth of treatment given to each of the specific cases. While the latter focuses more on the 2019 boat accident that tragically claimed the life of Mallory Beach, 19, the former offers some important perspective on the numerous previous catastrophes. The three-part ID production fulfils its promise to provide us with insight into Alex Murdaugh’s intricate web of corruption by going into detail on the majority of the charges against him.
Murder in Big Horn (2023)
With “Death in Big Horn” on Showtime, which explores the pandemic of missing and murdered Native women, we get a clear picture of the difficulties that Native People face on a daily basis. This three-part series dives deeply into everything, including the ongoing worry of unexpectedly losing a loved one, not having law enforcement on their side, and dealing with personal dysfunction. In other words, this docuseries is just as moving as the Netflix original, especially as it concentrates on the residents of Montana’s statistically hazardous Big Horn County and its indigenous settlements.
Murder on Middle Beach (2020)
The various hypothetical conspiracies that are revealed in HBO’s “Murder on Middle Beach,” which examines the 2010 murder of Barbara Hamburg close to her Connecticut home, are actually the show’s main draw. This is due in part to the fact that the terribly violent case is still unresolved as well as the fact that the four-part series will be directed by Madison Hamburg, the victim’s son and an editor, writer, and filmmaker. So, just like in “Murdaugh Murders,” elements like emotion, familial doubts, complex hypotheses, as well as a willingness to fight for justice, are present here practically every step of the way.
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence (2023)
Another true-crime Hulu network production, “Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence,” is directed by Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated Zachary Heinzerling. It stands out from the others, though, as it tells the story of how a group of college students fell prey to a friend’s father’s charms before having to battle for their lives. This three-episode show is therefore centred on Lawrence “Larry” Ray, who has since been found guilty of sex trafficking, racketeering, and extortion. This makes the show as dark, twisted, dirty, and haunted as you could possibly imagine.
Two Shallow Graves: The McStay Family Murders (2022)
We can only describe the documentary series “Two Shallow Graves: The McStay Family Murders” on Investigation Discovery as being equally perplexing, compelling, and downright unsettling. Every facet of the case is covered, including the McStays’ abrupt departure from their California home in 2010, the finding of their remains in 2013, and the contentious trial of suspect Charles Chase Meritt.
In contrast to the Murdaugh five — Stephen Smith, Gloria Satterfield, Mallory Beach, and Paul Murdaugh (most of which are allegedly accidental) — this case involves only four fatalities: Joseph McStay, his wife Summer McStay, and their two young sons. Nevertheless, both cases exhibit the dark side of human nature.
