The Toolbox Killer (2021)

7/10

Astaroth2226 October 2021

Warning: Spoilers

First and foremost, Bittaker was an animal and if anyone should have gotten the death penalty it was him. Next, we will probably never truly know what motivated Brand to contact that maniac. Of course we get the superficial reason but actually going through with it and investing so much time goes WAY beyond that. Some may call her brave while others might call her stupid. Either way, the end result was that it worked. It's undeniable. Bittaker obviously accepted his fate to live out the rest of his days in prison. And yet, his need to feed his sick starvation for attention from a pretty girl necessitated he provide Brand information that everyone always wanted - but could never get. However, developing a friendly relationship with him was literally making a deal with the Devil. And yes, Bittacker was manipulating her because he didn't possess the ability to think or feel like a normal person.

The biggest question I had once it ended: Was it really worth it?

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6/10

Hanger Killer Would be Better

jeroduptown13 November 2021

The story of the toolbox killer(s) is sick --- the retelling of it in this documentary...is not. Gruesome and confident, the toolbox killers terrorized the Redondo beach area in the late 70s.

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8/10

Put together very well, but very hard to watch.

alexandertom-8603210 October 2021

It's been a long time since one of these "true crime docs" really got under my skin. This one did definitely not for the faint of heart. Just felt really sad for the family and friends who were affected by this evil. I did think the Psychology student was playing with fire.

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1/10

It's not about them

ingamazonaite8 June 2022

Warning: Spoilers

This documentary is not about killers, its more about woman, who decided befriend laurence bitteker. I don't think this story worth watching, because why would I want to know about someone ( nobody),who made friends with sadist, who enjoyed raping and torturing young girls. What they did to Lynette hounts me and I can't imagine suffering and fear, agony,pain and loneliness she felt in that van in last hours of her life. She was 17 only. She was a good girl, who worked late and simple accepted ride home from handsome man.

And here we see a wannabe ( who has a cheek compare herself to Claire from silence of the lams). I don't feel, she showed any kind of sympathy for victims. She did not confronted him. He didn't say nothing new.

I really think death row in california should be functioning, because this vile individual did not deserved life. Electric chair would've been good.

Now he died living comfortably in the cell and having this type of wannabe visitors.

Disgusting.

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8/10

Hard watch

GoldenGooner0422 February 2022

Warning: Spoilers

I can understand people being angry with Laura, how she become his friend and called him "Uncle Larry" But I suppose, to get the info she had to show him friendship and a bit of love, to take his guard down. And she did find out stuff, which he told no one else. The worst bit for me was "when he cried" He knew he was going to die and suddenly wanted pity and people to feel sorry for him.

I admire what Laura done, but do find it a bit bizarre that she actually in her mind become his friend. Surely once she got the info, the @@@@ should have been hanged.

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2/10

You have got to be kidding me

mrocco-12 November 2021

It is a well done documentary. But I had difficulty getting through the murder details, so just skipped when the details got to graphic. The main interviewer, Laura, was psycho herself. All her giggling on the phone made me physically sick. You can say this was for some greater good but I call BS. Her 'connection' to this sick sadistic killer and visiting him while pregnant? Then talking to him while in labor, sending pictures of her SON and asking him to be an honorary uncle? OMG this woman should be ASHAMED of herself, but instead she is proud of putting her goals before her son. Look how empathetic and non-judgemental I am!!!! Can you imagine sending your kid's picture to a serial killer and ask him to be his her uncle? She never once condemns a man who tortured young girls with items from a tool box in the worst way imaginable, let that sink in. His murders were so horrific the investigator killed himself over it. She actually buys into his remorse when he's dying as something other than self-pity and manipulation. And she states she was sad when he died because he was an authentic friend? God I hope no one in law enforcement employs this woman. Thank God for the voice of the FBI profiler (who is a bad-a** lady) and the prosecutor, or I wouldn't have been able to get through this tripe. One star for each of them.

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8/10

Disturbing

josephloveys19 October 2021

The crimes of Bittaker and Norris were brutal and there are plenty of details and images in this doc that will be upsetting for some viewers. It's a well-made doc and certainly shows compassion for the victims and family/friends of victims too. One interesting aspect is how the criminologist was able to get Bittaker to talk when he had refused to do that before. Her approach was successful.

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2/10

don't waste your time

bluejacquet6 November 2021

There really isn't anything unique about this story. Same as all other serial killer movies. Simply put this is just trite. Sadistic men innocent women.

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10/10

A must watch

clynn-9575525 October 2021

In order to understand the mind of anyone, one must cultivate a relationship in order to step into their mind. In this particular case, it wasn't the most popular or well liked person on the block. However, this kind of psychology and work is necessary and critical. To physically step into the cell of death row at San Quentin and successfully cultivate a relationship with Bittaker and Norris along with stepping into their mind is exactly what Laura Brand did. She started building this relationship over the phone and even after being shunned at first, Laura simply wasn't going to take no for an answer. I give her ten stars for being able to get the location of the victims remains that even the FBI wasn't able to successfully do. This wasn't an easy task, but she did it and she did it well. I look forward to reading her book because the show barely touches the surface of all the work she's done on this case. The families of the victims are lucky she is giving them a voice, a voice these sadistic serial killers thought would be silenced until they met Laura Brand. Expect to see more of her amazing work in the future.

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9/10

Great insight into the mind of a serial killer

iwhofan25 October 2021

They did an amazing job not only telling the story of Norris and Bittaker, but also the victims. Laura Brand did an amazing job interviewing Bittaker over several years. She was able to get information from him that police and investigators have tried for years to get. I only wish that they showed more of their relationship and what information he provided to help her find the missing girls. Laura is a true Jersey girl at heart and is fearless. She will bring the girls home!

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10/10

Extremely well made

admesq25 October 2021

This was unsettling due to the subject matter but what made it so compelling was Laura Brand. This woman made one of the most sadistic serial killers of all time give all kinds of information uo for the first time, including the mapped locations of two victims never found. Laura Brand is that rare blend of intelligence, heart and humanity that compels even the most evil monsters to spill their guts. She is a revelation and I hope to see her do the same thing over and over until we can predict and stop these killing machines before they wreak havoc. This show is worth watching to see a fresh and effective approach to unraveling the sick minds of these evil doers. I am giving it 10 stars for this reason.

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10/10

A New Approach

joda11625 October 2021

Brand used a different approach and although it is controversial, it did work! She got Bittaker to talk and he didn't talk to anyone.

Victims of family members and interviews with those who knew them was crucial to this and I am glad they got to say their peace.

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10/10

Very good documentary

cannelleintulsa26 October 2021

I love crime documentaries and this one was outstanding. Laura Brand was able to get information that Bittaker refused to give to the authorities. She didn't try to rush him but built up trust and that made him willing to share information with her. Way to go.

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10/10

Mind blowing.

skybabe75-837-15304426 October 2021

Laura Brand was able to break through the mind of one of the most sadistic serial killers to date. Her ability to gain his trust blew my mind and it will blow yours.

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10/10

The Bravery this women had!

abrewer-4382427 October 2021

I had watched documentaries about the Tool Box killer before, but the the way this woman really got to know this killer on such a human level is crazy to me. Her bravery and balls of still is admirable.