New True Crime Documentaries to Watch on Max

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As a crime enthusiast with a soft spot for true-life mysteries and a penchant for unraveling the enigmatic threads that bind these tales together, I must say that Max has outdone itself yet again! The recent additions to their extensive library of true crime documentaries have left me utterly captivated.

Max has expanded its collection of true crime documentaries, featuring an array of crimes and intriguing real-life cases such as “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace,” which debuted in 2023 and recently released a second season. Other captivating additions include the controversial Nickelodeon documentary “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” “The Jinx: Part Two,” and “They Called Him Mostly Harmless.”

The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks

“Unraveling the Puzzle of Natalia Grace: A True Crime Documentary Now Streaming on Max”

In January, the second season of the docuseries called “Natalia Speaks” was made available, generating a lot of excitement. This six-episode season delved into the case from Natalia Grace’s standpoint, as she refuted accusations leveled by her previous adoptive family, the Barnetts. Currently, Natalia resides with a different couple in Indiana, Antwon and Cynthia Mans.

Natalia Grace’s case is now among a few hit true-crime documentaries available to stream on Max.

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV

Max airs another gripping true-crime documentary by ID, titled “Quiet On Set: The Hidden Darkness of Kids’ TV.” This limited series delved into accusations of abuse against a former Nickelodeon producer named Dan Schneider. Actors and staff members from the network during its prime period were interviewed for the series, sharing their individual stories. Directed by Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz, this five-episode series debuted in March 2024.

In the TV series Quiet on Set, Drake Bell, famously known for his role in Drake & Josh, was among the stars. Bell recently disclosed in a documentary that Brian Peck, a former dialogue coach on the show, sexually abused him when he was a young teenager. Interestingly, Bell admitted to being the anonymous teenager who had filed charges against Peck, leading to his conviction in 2004.

It was uncovered by Quiet On Set that some child actors and crew members had experienced a harmful work environment while filming shows. They alleged they endured abuse driven by racism, sexism, and sexual misconduct. The series is currently streaming on Max as part of its extensive collection of true-crime documentaries.

They Called Him Mostly Harmless

As an avid viewer, I can’t help but be captivated by HBO’s gripping documentary, “They Called Him Mostly Harmless,” which showcases the astonishing power of internet sleuthing. This riveting film delves into the enigmatic case of a man who was tragically discovered deceased in Florida’s wilderness back in 2018. The mastermind behind this intriguing production is Patricia E. Gillespie, and it first graced our screens at the Hamptons International Film Festival before making its grand entrance on Max.

In 2018, police came across an unidentified male corpse in a tent at Florida’s Cypress National Preserve. The body was without any identification documents, phone, or credit card, leaving few leads for determining the person’s identity. However, the deceased was known by multiple trail names such as Denim, Ben Bilemy, and Mostly Harmless. Later on, a community of online detectives managed to identify him as Vance John Rodriguez.

Based on TIME’s report, Vance John Rodriguez was known to have struggled with significant mental health challenges. A previous roommate attested to his severe mental health issues, while some women asserted a history of abusive behavior towards them. In addition, it was uncovered by journalist Nicholas Thompson that Rodriguez had contemplated suicide and made attempts on his own life.

As a seasoned true crime enthusiast with years of immersion in this genre, I find the recent additions to Max’s documentary lineup quite intriguing. With various directors and networks contributing, it seems they are pulling out all the stops to present captivating narratives that delve deep into the darkest corners of human nature. Among the new offerings, “The Jinx: Part Two” particularly stands out, chronicling the notorious case of Robert Durst. Having followed this story from its earliest days, I eagerly anticipate unraveling more layers of this enigmatic tale and can’t wait to see how it unfolds on Max’s platform.

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2024-08-12 10:12