I’m just as fond of true crime documentaries or docuseries on Netflix as most people, often using my subscription to stream their abundance of murder, chaos, and even cult stories. However, after watching “Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders,” a three-part account of the 1980s’ mysterious deaths linked to cyanide-laced painkillers, I feel compelled to discuss an issue I have with Netflix’s true crime content.
Indeed, it’s neither the topic nor the style you find problematic. Rather, I believe there are potential enhancements Netflix and other renowned streaming services offering true crime documentaries could implement to elevate their productions further. Allow me to elaborate…
I Learned A Lot Watching The Tylenol Murders, But It Didn’t Need To Be Three Episodes
I found it quite revealing watching the docuseries Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders, particularly when they delved into the potential involvement of James Lewis in the deaths of at least seven people around Chicago in 1982. However, I believe this story could have been effectively condensed into a single, shorter documentary, perhaps an hour or less.
Indeed, the three-episode arc presented numerous theories and anecdotes, which at times appeared as if Netflix was either prolonging the narrative or compressing episodes to maintain viewer engagement by leaving us curious about how it would conclude. If the series had primarily revolved around the 1982 case, this speculation might have been more acceptable; however, the excessive conjecture regarding Johnson & Johnson’s supposed cover-up and potential involvement in the deaths seemed to slow down the progress of the story.
A Lot Of Netflix’s True Crime Docuseries Would Be Better As Shorter Series Or A Single Documentary
This issue isn’t exclusive to the series “Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders,” as I’ve encountered it with multiple crime documentaries on Netflix throughout the years. It seems that many of their original true crime shows are structured into three episodes, and this pattern is becoming more noticeable. These segments typically last between 35 to 50 minutes each, giving the impression that Netflix is pushing stories to be told in three parts.
If the narrative requires such division, that’s fine, however, it might also be possible to compact it into a more concise series or even a standalone documentary. Successful examples include the impactful “American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden” and the unexpectedly impressive O.J. Simpson docuseries. Yet, productions like “American Murder: Gabby Petito” seemed less successful, not only due to the unsettling AI voiceover but also potentially because of other factors.
I’m Not Going To Lie, James Lewis’ Story Was Perhaps The Wildest Thing I’ve Seen On Netflix
Despite having reservations about the latest episode of Cold Case and its speed, I can’t help but admit that Lewis’ tale is one of the most mind-blowing things I’ve ever encountered on Netflix. I won’t reveal all the details for those who haven’t watched the docuseries yet, but if even half of what’s said about him in the documentary is accurate, he ranks among some of the most chilling real-life serial killers whose movies have been made. I’ll stop there…
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2025-06-04 14:07