Night Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killer helped me rediscover my interest in true crime stories since I was 16, especially about serial killers. I've heard about Richard Ramirez known as the Night Stalker before and although I've read about him, I've never known the full story. When Night Stalker was released on Netflix, I was immediately intrigued.
Night Stalker focused on the murders and sexual assaults that Richard Ramirez committed for over a year in Los Angeles in the mid 1980's. It was really horrific hearing about the details about the victims and the crimes that occurred. It felt like a real life horror movie was unfolding in the city as residents were terrified that this killer would strike again, and the police were working around the clock to find him.
The documentary also features interviews with Los Angeles County Sheriff Homicide detectives Gil Carrillo and Frank Salerno who were the main investigators as well as various reporters and journalists that covered the crimes committed by Richard Ramirez. The surviving victims and relatives of the murdered victims are also interviewed.
Crime scene photos, news footage, and various videos are also shown.
Richard Ramirez was someone that epitomised true evil. It was a relief that he was finally arrested and convicted of 13 counts of murder, 5 accounts of murder, and many counts of rape and sexual assaults. He was given the death penalty where he sat on death row until he died of cancer in 2013.
Night Stalker contains graphic content that may be disturbing to some viewers. It's certainly not for everyone.
Overall I thought it was an excellent documentary and I enjoyed it, despite finding some of the content a little unsettling at times. But I recommend it for those with an interest in true crime stories or anyone intrigued about serial killers.
8/10.