Why 'Confronting A Serial Killer' May Be The Best True-Crime Series Yet
'Confronting A Serial Killer' made its killer debut at the SXSW 2021 – and it’s one you won’t want to miss.
Photo Courtesy of Starz.
The five-episode series tells the story of the intense relationship between author Jillian Lauren and the most prolific serial killer in American history, Samuel Little. Lauren uncovers the details throughout the continuation of their unlikely relationship as the series goes on. As a viewer, Lauren gives his victims a bit of justice as she uncovers his darkest, and horrifying, secrets.
This new series shines a light on the under looked aspects of criminal justice. More specifically, racial and gender bias against victims from marginalized communities. Throughout the series, Lauren reveals her personal struggles to reconcile her own history of addiction and abuse, with her present-day mission to return the identities of previously nameless bodies and forgotten women. It’s almost a service within a true-crime series.
Why 'Confronting A Serial Killer' May Be The Best True-Crime Series Yet. Photo Courtesy of SXSW
“It was important to me and everyone working on this project that we put into focus the truly devastating impact that bias in our justice system can have on underrepresented groups, particularly women of color,” Berlinger mentioned. “We follow Jillian in her dogged pursuit of justice for some of Sam’s victims and the loved ones they left behind, giving those that had largely been forgotten voice, name and identity.”
The series will be executive produced and directed by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger (The Paradise Lost Trilogy, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes) with Po Kutchins (The Murder of Laci Peterson, Prison Town, The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth) serving as show runner and executive producer.
True crime series come a dime a dozen, however it’s rare that we see one from this angle. Lauren never lets the viewers forget the important question at the forefront. She continuously lends her impeccable journalistic style to beckon the question of “why does society dismiss marginalized individuals.” It’s a lot to unpack, but unfortunately its the reality that hits home beyond this true-crime series. Confronting A Serial Killer premieres on Starz, April 18th. Check out the trailer below!
