By Alexandria Fox · Contributing Writer
For most of us, summer is a time to kick back and relax after a busy school year, and what better way to enjoy all that free time than by watching a gripping documentary? This past summer has been huge for true crime documentaries, with several high-profile releases on major streaming platforms sparking conversation. Among the most talked about were two riveting series covering the 2022 University of Idaho murders and another examining the horrifying influencer scandal of Ruby Franke.
“One Night in Idaho: The College Murders” premiered on Prime Video on July 11.
Directed by the critically acclaimed Liz Garbus and Matthew Galkin, the four-episode series examines the tragic events of Nov. 13, 2022, when Bryan Kohberger took the lives of four young University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The series explored the profound impact on their families and communities while detailing the killings themselves. In addition to these elements, we see the recollections of those who were close to the victims, offering personal stories and reflections that humanize the tragedy.
Just one day after Kohberger pled guilty to all four murders, Peacock released an original documentary titled “The Idaho Student Murders.” The 90-minute film explores the aforementioned case in great detail, examining the investigation and featuring interviews with the victims’ friends and families. It highlights the evidence against Kohberger, his possible motives and his deeply troubled past. The documentary also explores the mass hysteria following the murders and the tense campus environment during the time.
For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this tragic case, “The Idaho Student Murders” and “One Night in Idaho” offer informative and compelling perspectives.
In a very different but equally disturbing vein, the three-episode series titled “Devil in the Family” premiered on Hulu on Feb. 27. While it was released in the winter, it saw a huge rise in popularity this summer. It focuses on the shocking events surrounding ex-influencer Ruby Franke and her family. If you aren’t familiar with this case, you should definitely give it a watch. The series focuses on the once popular “8Passengers” YouTube channel, which documented the family’s life together. At its peak, the channel had over 2 million subscribers, but many became concerned about the extremities of Franke’s parenting style. The series centers around Franke’s descent into abuse, which took place behind this carefully constructed Instagram façade.
Even if you aren’t into true crime, these projects offer truly sobering accounts of pain and remind us of our responsibility as media consumers.
