Episode 1 could have been shrank into 20 minutes. So much repetition. Very poorly edited and the main protagonists narrating the episode doesn't work for me at all. Could have done with a Louie Theroux character asking the odd question to break it up a bit. 50 minutes of constant upset is a lot to take. It only got interesting in the last 2 minutes of the episode. Part two a tad better when we meet the police involved in the investigation. The whole ambience of both episodes just didn't work for me at all. Made a semi interesting story and investigation sound very tedious and dull. That's just my opinion after all.
27 Reviews
British Docos Are Usually Better Than This
chopperDavo22 February 2024
When it comes to true crime I nearly always prefer British programs to American ones. But this one is done in the same way as the US ones.
Lots of scary music and sounds. Everything dragged out with pointless visuals. And the same visuals over and over again. They must have shown data going down telephone lines 200 times throughout this program.
The 'scary' voice just became childish over time.
The pace was needlessly slow. This could have been done in about 45 minutes, comfortably.
Skip through it. You won't miss much. The end of both episodes is where the story is mainly told.
It's a shame because the women really were made to suffer. Their complaints were totally valid and should have been acted on much sooner by the police. The gave the standard corporate BS excuses in a statement at the end. I don't anything has changed there.
Lots of scary music and sounds. Everything dragged out with pointless visuals. And the same visuals over and over again. They must have shown data going down telephone lines 200 times throughout this program.
The 'scary' voice just became childish over time.
The pace was needlessly slow. This could have been done in about 45 minutes, comfortably.
Skip through it. You won't miss much. The end of both episodes is where the story is mainly told.
It's a shame because the women really were made to suffer. Their complaints were totally valid and should have been acted on much sooner by the police. The gave the standard corporate BS excuses in a statement at the end. I don't anything has changed there.
Mockumentary?
ricewithaspoon22 February 2024
Blurry re enactments of a person near or on the phone or something somewhere, screenshots of phones & texts.. that's 80 % of what we see. Make it 85.
Ridiculous producion presenting daft people offering no real insight into or solution to this wide spread problem. No interviews about current laws and how to change this issue. Just a blah copy paste statement by police at the end.
But it's important you stylize it as much as you can, right?
Idk what's happening but British docus seem to be going downhill regarding content & presentation.
It's getting ridiculous.
Don't make yourself watch or finish it... there is nothing really to gain from it.
Ridiculous producion presenting daft people offering no real insight into or solution to this wide spread problem. No interviews about current laws and how to change this issue. Just a blah copy paste statement by police at the end.
But it's important you stylize it as much as you can, right?
Idk what's happening but British docus seem to be going downhill regarding content & presentation.
It's getting ridiculous.
Don't make yourself watch or finish it... there is nothing really to gain from it.
Victim or Victimizer
mbdoorley22 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Overall production quality high and content well presented. I really enjoyed the first episode; and it's presented from victim's POV. Riveting and I had a great deal of empathy. I was keen on seeing the next part.
The second episode starts out with apologetic argument for perpetrator. He's the "real" victim? Give me a break!! He's a terrorist! Hiding behind a disability to explain away his abhorrent actions. His self-serving sick fetish destroyed lives.
I don't even want to finish it. Disgusting. And the lack of protection from the police is astonishing. I've always supported law enforcement but this made be doubt them and their insensitivity to the victim's plight.
The second episode starts out with apologetic argument for perpetrator. He's the "real" victim? Give me a break!! He's a terrorist! Hiding behind a disability to explain away his abhorrent actions. His self-serving sick fetish destroyed lives.
I don't even want to finish it. Disgusting. And the lack of protection from the police is astonishing. I've always supported law enforcement but this made be doubt them and their insensitivity to the victim's plight.
NOT merely boring but inconsequential
orcinussr21 February 2024
... and truly I hate to say that, and that it's in essence true but this is wholly unnecessary - it's like so what's next? We make documentaries about elderly who get phone calls about thier car warranties? This is life in today's world! This is what humanity is, isn't it? We, as a society, should have or needed to have dealt with this sooner or barring that, unfortunately, just not done the social media - which is easy for me to say cause I don't (and I don't because I know humans, they're horrible) so if u accept the perils of putting your life out there then may I offer some advice? Don't fall for solicitus messages like 'can I tell you a secret' and on a personal note re the documentarians - you guys are trash! With that gratuitous creepy voice (which wasnt a recreation of the fraudsters voice, it was a dramatic reading of the text) and all this nonsensical b-roll of the messages following the phone lines and internet cable! Suuuch a poor device and not even accurate about how it works - this is almost an all-time low and as a society we need to (I NEED TO) stop consuming thier content and furthering this decline in 'Idiocracy'
But allow me to ammend my comments by adding this very important aspect which is : I do have complete sympathy for the women that fell victim to this, I am not saying that it's thier fault that the were asking for it or that they deserved it - of course not! I was saying that it's unfortunate that this IS imo par for a human to do to another via the anonymity of the internet and that we need to expect this, SADLY, and act accordingly - it's tragic I know but until we prove that we can be better to one another then this will always continue to happen.
But allow me to ammend my comments by adding this very important aspect which is : I do have complete sympathy for the women that fell victim to this, I am not saying that it's thier fault that the were asking for it or that they deserved it - of course not! I was saying that it's unfortunate that this IS imo par for a human to do to another via the anonymity of the internet and that we need to expect this, SADLY, and act accordingly - it's tragic I know but until we prove that we can be better to one another then this will always continue to happen.
Interesting story, but poorly produced.
Sleepin_Dragon2 March 2024
The lives of three young women are turned upside down, by a cyber attacker, who delights in creating fake profiles, and decimating relationships.
It's clearly a generational thing, but I do have issue with people who live their lives through social media, and there is an element of that here, some people can't even have a coffee or enjoy a concert, it's tragic.
The first thing, the production, horrible, and sadly that is the major stumbling block, it's bad, expect silly voices, multiple cutaways, and tonnes of emojis, it's unbearable.
It doesn't show The Police in a particularly good light, these young women were clearly tormented, but it doesn't seem as though any of them were taken seriously. What's worse, the realisation that stalkers barely go to jail.
When it came to the sentencing, I was a little shocked to hear that boredom can be taken into account to explain someone's crimes, whatever next.
This should have been so much better, maybe if it had been an hour long presentation it would have triumphed, less the over production.
5/10.
It's clearly a generational thing, but I do have issue with people who live their lives through social media, and there is an element of that here, some people can't even have a coffee or enjoy a concert, it's tragic.
The first thing, the production, horrible, and sadly that is the major stumbling block, it's bad, expect silly voices, multiple cutaways, and tonnes of emojis, it's unbearable.
It doesn't show The Police in a particularly good light, these young women were clearly tormented, but it doesn't seem as though any of them were taken seriously. What's worse, the realisation that stalkers barely go to jail.
When it came to the sentencing, I was a little shocked to hear that boredom can be taken into account to explain someone's crimes, whatever next.
This should have been so much better, maybe if it had been an hour long presentation it would have triumphed, less the over production.
5/10.
Really worth to Watch
jvrijsbergen-567-87081522 February 2024
I can't understand the negative reviews. Yes it could have been shorter, however the feeling of being stalked for 2 years is really felt.
It makes you feel for the victims what they have endured and the frustration with police support.
It also again stresses the dangers of social media and how one can be to depending on it.
Good to hear that more support now is in place for the victims. It is good education material for the youth with the message, be open and talk to your relatives and friends so that they know what is happening. I was surprised how the victims where less believed than online messages.
It makes you feel for the victims what they have endured and the frustration with police support.
It also again stresses the dangers of social media and how one can be to depending on it.
Good to hear that more support now is in place for the victims. It is good education material for the youth with the message, be open and talk to your relatives and friends so that they know what is happening. I was surprised how the victims where less believed than online messages.
Not very good
Gringoen28 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This was really poor work. Why not any questions towards the girls? Like why do you engage in conversations with strange people contacting you on social media? No interviewing the girls with any questions was just wrong. Not victimblaming, but seriously? The creepy voice in this series is just annoying and unwanted. Did not help the show at all. This became very boring unfortunatly. The highlight of the series was the joy of them sending this creepy stalker away for a long jail time, mentally disturbed people have a way of avoiding the justice system, but not here. Looks like they also needed over 100 people to make this? Why? That is a lot. Still production quality was very low, i did enjoy watching Zoe Jade Hallam as she is quite charming. Another topic that could have been said was that Abby Furness has had another stalker, a fan from her onlyfans account. Girls if you sell pictures of your privates on the internet you will attract some strange people.
SHALLOW Documentary
Susansgoldens27 February 2024
Social media has become quite the sport. How many followers you have is a testimony to your popularity. Really? Who made up these rules, a 13 year old teenager? Reminds me of middle schoolers discovering that 7th and 8th grade is a big step into the social media arena. You no longer go out for recess or play on the swings and merry go round. You become more focused on who is in your grade. Now you exchange your email address and begin communicating with people in your social media account's. As you become more proficient, you'll start receiving spam emails and communication from people you have no clue who they are. Welcome to social media.
I would be remiss if I didn't include good social media accomplishments. Connecting with old friends and finding lost relatives. But the typical social media user will soon be asking how do I get out of this?
In my opinion this documentary is very shallow. There was an opportunity to share the pitfalls, like stalking and identity theft, and help. Can I tell you a secret? Skip this documentary and create a list of your accounts, who to contact if there is a problem and don't give your email address to just anyone. Consider creating a 2nd email address to use for general inquiries, not linked to any of your financial or personal information. But don't hide behind your social media accounts. Don't be a slave to the notification sound. Go outside, take a walk, enjoy nice weather, visit friends.
I would be remiss if I didn't include good social media accomplishments. Connecting with old friends and finding lost relatives. But the typical social media user will soon be asking how do I get out of this?
In my opinion this documentary is very shallow. There was an opportunity to share the pitfalls, like stalking and identity theft, and help. Can I tell you a secret? Skip this documentary and create a list of your accounts, who to contact if there is a problem and don't give your email address to just anyone. Consider creating a 2nd email address to use for general inquiries, not linked to any of your financial or personal information. But don't hide behind your social media accounts. Don't be a slave to the notification sound. Go outside, take a walk, enjoy nice weather, visit friends.
I think i watched 30 minutes of establishing shots
oels-2708428 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Almost half of this two part documentary is animation of lights on telephone cables and a ridiculous animated smiley face. The storytelling was so stretched and dramatised I had to make an account to vent.
The terrors of anyone jumping online and imitating individuals and causing chaos sucks but definitely did not need to be two hours.
Surprise; the police are painted as not doing enough and the criminal mastermind is using a phone on his home wifi and pretending to be people he is not. One saving grace was that Social media companies were called out for not doing enough, granted it was a text clip in the credits.
The terrors of anyone jumping online and imitating individuals and causing chaos sucks but definitely did not need to be two hours.
Surprise; the police are painted as not doing enough and the criminal mastermind is using a phone on his home wifi and pretending to be people he is not. One saving grace was that Social media companies were called out for not doing enough, granted it was a text clip in the credits.
Too much
Weirdo-Magnet26 March 2024
First of all - This is a story that should be told. I just wish it was told in a different way. There were lots of unnecessary parts to this series. Firstly, It could have been done in 1 episode. The ominous voice overs. He didn't actually distort his voice at all. I just felt it was done to make him sound more creepy. The cut away scenes - these people say they've experienced a traumatic time, yet here they are reenacting scenes in their best clothes, hair and make up. I also did not hear one person say "I blocked the number".
I'm not condoning what this guy did, AT ALL. But some of these people kept engaging with him. Then, continued to use social media like it was an essential part of their life. I couldn't help think - what are you doing? BLOCK! REPORT! IGNORE! Remove yourself from social media.
A series that gives repetitive and information and dragged out way too long, whilst trying to over dramatise the situation. I would have been more engaged without the unnecessary extras trying to make it a dark and gritty documentary. 4/10.
I'm not condoning what this guy did, AT ALL. But some of these people kept engaging with him. Then, continued to use social media like it was an essential part of their life. I couldn't help think - what are you doing? BLOCK! REPORT! IGNORE! Remove yourself from social media.
A series that gives repetitive and information and dragged out way too long, whilst trying to over dramatise the situation. I would have been more engaged without the unnecessary extras trying to make it a dark and gritty documentary. 4/10.
An important film to remind young people that the internet is a jungle and you are prey
OneAnjel22 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I'm surprised at the low star reviews here, but perhaps this film hasn't obtained the audience it was aimed at, which is the younger people who are living there entire life on social media. Or maybe they aren't leaving reviews. Everyone should watch this to understand how important safety online is and how easy it is for someone to fool you into thinking they're somebod they aren't.
Matthew, who had done so much damage to so many people, is the most prolific, arguably. But this is not an isolated incident. These young girls get on social media practically nude doing things that they think are making them get views and likes and followers. They leave their friends list open, oftentimes to people who don't even have to be on their friends list to view it. They post where they've been and where they're going. It's no wonder that more people haven't done this exact thing. It's no surprise that someone with autistic spectrum found this to be a hobby he was really good at. But this is a huge crisis in our world. Oftentimes you see people posting on their own social media page that if someone tells them that they changed their number or changed their Facebook to not believe them. And that's a good rule of thumb - as well a get proof before you send sensitive info to an unfamiliar profile regarless of thename displayed. But we don't learn that in junior high school, at least not that I know of. Free food for thought there, though.
The internet has hijacked our lives so fast from the time AOL made us pay $20 an hour to get on the information Highway with no ads and free websites to this moment In time where everything not only costs us money but the people trying to advertise to us and get our attention and get our money are using our own RAM on our own computer to force their way into our lives. They're tracking us, they're keeping tabs on what we're buying and what credit card we're using and who are main contacts are. It's a frightening world.
There are a lot more celebrities, if you consider a social media influencer a celebrity - personally, I don't but it's the new trend. We no longer have one new rising star every few months or few years, we have hundreds of people every week spending all of their free time on social media trying to get followers. Some actually figure out how to make money at it but most people don't. If you can believe that.
I found this film to be something of an important insertion into the lives of those young people who will bother to watch it and, in that sense, I felt the film was well done if you consider that it's aimed at young people who are actually on the internet trying to make a name for themselves and not being taught -or ignoring- the laws of safety. I didn't think it dragged on too much - goodness sakes isn't it only two episodes?
And just some trivia, I thought the producers were inserting that strange voice even though we initially think the perpetrator is only responding through text. But if you're watching closely there is one moment or actually probably more like a 15-second spot where they show the perpetrator speaking and then slow the voice down and it becomes that voice that we hear throughout the film. So yes it's for drama but it is actually mimicking his voice slowed down or disguised. Enemy rate I appreciated the dramatization of voices as if they were reading their own text because I don't like reading text all the time. I've never been one to watch films where I have to read the English translation unless it's a real good documentary and I'm not a fan of the modern technique of making the audience read text. So I personally appreciated them adding those voices.
Matthew, who had done so much damage to so many people, is the most prolific, arguably. But this is not an isolated incident. These young girls get on social media practically nude doing things that they think are making them get views and likes and followers. They leave their friends list open, oftentimes to people who don't even have to be on their friends list to view it. They post where they've been and where they're going. It's no wonder that more people haven't done this exact thing. It's no surprise that someone with autistic spectrum found this to be a hobby he was really good at. But this is a huge crisis in our world. Oftentimes you see people posting on their own social media page that if someone tells them that they changed their number or changed their Facebook to not believe them. And that's a good rule of thumb - as well a get proof before you send sensitive info to an unfamiliar profile regarless of thename displayed. But we don't learn that in junior high school, at least not that I know of. Free food for thought there, though.
The internet has hijacked our lives so fast from the time AOL made us pay $20 an hour to get on the information Highway with no ads and free websites to this moment In time where everything not only costs us money but the people trying to advertise to us and get our attention and get our money are using our own RAM on our own computer to force their way into our lives. They're tracking us, they're keeping tabs on what we're buying and what credit card we're using and who are main contacts are. It's a frightening world.
There are a lot more celebrities, if you consider a social media influencer a celebrity - personally, I don't but it's the new trend. We no longer have one new rising star every few months or few years, we have hundreds of people every week spending all of their free time on social media trying to get followers. Some actually figure out how to make money at it but most people don't. If you can believe that.
I found this film to be something of an important insertion into the lives of those young people who will bother to watch it and, in that sense, I felt the film was well done if you consider that it's aimed at young people who are actually on the internet trying to make a name for themselves and not being taught -or ignoring- the laws of safety. I didn't think it dragged on too much - goodness sakes isn't it only two episodes?
And just some trivia, I thought the producers were inserting that strange voice even though we initially think the perpetrator is only responding through text. But if you're watching closely there is one moment or actually probably more like a 15-second spot where they show the perpetrator speaking and then slow the voice down and it becomes that voice that we hear throughout the film. So yes it's for drama but it is actually mimicking his voice slowed down or disguised. Enemy rate I appreciated the dramatization of voices as if they were reading their own text because I don't like reading text all the time. I've never been one to watch films where I have to read the English translation unless it's a real good documentary and I'm not a fan of the modern technique of making the audience read text. So I personally appreciated them adding those voices.
Absolute trash
xtian-515275 March 2024
Don't waste your time on this. Just like the other reviews, it really just highlights how a great story that is poorly produced and filled with pointless cutaways can leave you very disappointed and angry that You've waste two hours of your life. Did not need to be two parts, could easily have been told in 45 mins. You absolutely feel for the girls involved, however, they keep telling irrelevant things, nothing really invites you to be intrigued who was doing it. Lazy journalism and low budget production from Netflix, do yourself a favour and go watch reputable documentaries and don't waste your time of this sorry mockumentary.
Pure 💩
M-a-shazaib24 February 2024
This documentary attempts to explore the complex issues of online privacy and the leaking of private photos but falls remarkably short. The focus on individuals who share their experiences without a deeper reflection on the broader societal implications results in a narrative that feels both superficial and sensationalized. The inclusion of explicit content, intended to shock rather than enlighten, further detracts from the documentary's potential to contribute meaningfully to discussions on digital responsibility. Ultimately, it fails to deliver a thought-provoking or insightful examination, leaving viewers with more questions than answers about the ethics and intentions behind its production.
One of the most important documentaries of our times
mattshermanemail25 February 2024
In our digital age where cybercrime and online harassment is more prominent than ever, there is great need for documentaries like 'Can I Tell You A Secret' to help raise awareness on such issues. It is documentaries like these which can help start a movement and change public consciousness, ultimately leading to more good in the world.
The two-part doco is both paced and edited brilliantly. It kept me on my seat, but was not so 'flashy' as to over-dramatize the real events. I was also incredibly impressed by the brave women who stepped forth to be interviewed. Their recounts were haunting, yet inspiring in that their bravery may encourage other women to speak out as well.
Overall, CITYAS is a vitally important documentary that everyone who uses social media/the internet should watch.
The two-part doco is both paced and edited brilliantly. It kept me on my seat, but was not so 'flashy' as to over-dramatize the real events. I was also incredibly impressed by the brave women who stepped forth to be interviewed. Their recounts were haunting, yet inspiring in that their bravery may encourage other women to speak out as well.
Overall, CITYAS is a vitally important documentary that everyone who uses social media/the internet should watch.
Tedious and silly
kdycer3 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
So I only sat through the first episode of this series before I gave up. It follows the stories of vacuous attention hungry social media junkies who end up being stalked and harassed online. It just turns very silly very quickly, what with the silly graphics of phone lines incessantly shown and childish warped voices (which are supposed to be scary but had me in stitches) nobody seems to know how to use the block feature on their social media accounts or have the sense to contact police. This should be a cautionary tale of not sharing too much online and not being so trusting of others, but it just goes round in circles and becomes another sensationsalist Netflix ratings grabber.
Not a social media person....
atleverton3 March 2024
But I found this compelling. People are living their lives as they see fit, and they randomly become the target of a stalker. I have watched a few documentaries about stalkers recently, and in all of those cases, the stalkers had some kind of personal connection with the victims, this is a frightening new version where you can be stalked by a completely random person. As someone, who briefly had an encounter with a stalker, I am full of sympathy for people who went to the police, and they were laughed at. And as for those reviews that compared being the victim of a stalker to an annoying telemarketer, may it never happen to you.
Social media junkies!
Guanche483 March 2024
Totally unbearable, I couldn't watch too long. I can't understand how people think their lives are interesting for others and dedicate themselves to posting photos and explaining their private lives on social media. Incomprehensible. The more you post your private life, photos..., on the social media the more there is the risk of stalking. And perhaps even more dangerous things, like in this case.
I wouldn't watch it at all because the production is the most terrible and really really boring, the case is important, but please, if the police doesn't believe you at first, why don't you block everything on social media for the meantime? Yes, I know stalking is a crime, don't get me wrong. But If you are suffering psychologically, maybe mental health issues? Because of what this stalker is doing?, block everything and move on with your life, no one cares where you go on vacation, how your new dress look like.. who your friends are...etc
The role of social media platforms in enabling and perpetuating stalking, and the limitations of existing laws, says it all, frustrating! They are no systemic solutions for this! Therefore, stop using the internet so much and look around you, smell, feel, live, dance.....
Avoid this one!
I wouldn't watch it at all because the production is the most terrible and really really boring, the case is important, but please, if the police doesn't believe you at first, why don't you block everything on social media for the meantime? Yes, I know stalking is a crime, don't get me wrong. But If you are suffering psychologically, maybe mental health issues? Because of what this stalker is doing?, block everything and move on with your life, no one cares where you go on vacation, how your new dress look like.. who your friends are...etc
The role of social media platforms in enabling and perpetuating stalking, and the limitations of existing laws, says it all, frustrating! They are no systemic solutions for this! Therefore, stop using the internet so much and look around you, smell, feel, live, dance.....
Avoid this one!
It's just not good
luuksen27 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Apparently we have exhausted every past crime that is worth making a documentary about, because this is not one of those.
Don't get me wrong, stalking is something horrible to experience for the victims and we should totally challenge social media platforms for their role in it.
But this documentary was just not gripping or exciting at all. It wasn't even a mystery who the perpetrator was or how he was caught. It just sort of happened, he was caught, had matching pictures on his phone with the fake accounts, was sentenced and that was it.
The makers had to dramatize the sent messages with a stupid "creepy" voiceover, because apparently the whole story with only text messages was not exciting enough otherwise and they had to make it seem like the perpetrator sent those voice messages. There was so little original footage, they had to repeat a few animated scenes (the stupid phone lines) and smiley faces over and over.
I don't really want to go into detail about how the victims handled it. "Just block the contact" etc. Seems like an easy solution, but I'd think in excessive stalking it's often much more complicated than that. If someone really impersonates you and writes messages on your behalf, you'd likely get stressed out aswell. So no, the victims didn't handle it perfectly, but I'd give them the benefit of the doubt here.
But still, it was just not exciting or "mystery" enough to make a two hour documentary about.
Don't get me wrong, stalking is something horrible to experience for the victims and we should totally challenge social media platforms for their role in it.
But this documentary was just not gripping or exciting at all. It wasn't even a mystery who the perpetrator was or how he was caught. It just sort of happened, he was caught, had matching pictures on his phone with the fake accounts, was sentenced and that was it.
The makers had to dramatize the sent messages with a stupid "creepy" voiceover, because apparently the whole story with only text messages was not exciting enough otherwise and they had to make it seem like the perpetrator sent those voice messages. There was so little original footage, they had to repeat a few animated scenes (the stupid phone lines) and smiley faces over and over.
I don't really want to go into detail about how the victims handled it. "Just block the contact" etc. Seems like an easy solution, but I'd think in excessive stalking it's often much more complicated than that. If someone really impersonates you and writes messages on your behalf, you'd likely get stressed out aswell. So no, the victims didn't handle it perfectly, but I'd give them the benefit of the doubt here.
But still, it was just not exciting or "mystery" enough to make a two hour documentary about.
Maybe this would have been enlightening 10 years ago
gugute3 March 2024
I agree with the other reviewer who had said this documentary is very shallow. It touches on catfishing, stealing online identity and other aspects of social media that have been so much spoken about it really is rather infuriating and also surprising that grown up people should a) fall for it, b) be so shallow and naive to be posting EVERYTHING about themselves on social media and then appear surprised when they get targeted. By no means am I saying the perpetrator actions can be justified, it's just that this is a simple, basic level stuff that children should be aware of nowadays. The victims here are claiming social media helps them know who they are, which, really, gives you an insight into what to expect. It is disappointing that grown people are so unaware of realities outside of their "like" count, and the story is really not TV worthy. It's the same story you'll have seen on several TV shows, heard about on podcasts, and, unless you are a teenager, you can guess what's happening. One episode would have been sufficient.
Yawned throughout episode 1
lisamirani-8269529 February 2024
45 minutes over 3 influencers crying constantly over a not-so-major crime? Yeah that is a 1/10. It had too much unnecessary editing and special effects as well. They tried to make the stalker come across as scary, but in reality the women just came across as naive and ridiculously dumb.
I also agreed with the police - they do not have enough manpower to go find every person who makes a fake account. The women need to stop making themselves feel so important.
I haven't watched beyond episode 1 but don't plan to. Might be way quicker to read a 5 min summary somewhere online. I'd instead recommend watching worst roommate ever if you want to see an actual crime.
I also agreed with the police - they do not have enough manpower to go find every person who makes a fake account. The women need to stop making themselves feel so important.
I haven't watched beyond episode 1 but don't plan to. Might be way quicker to read a 5 min summary somewhere online. I'd instead recommend watching worst roommate ever if you want to see an actual crime.
I feel sorry for the victims
hedvigbogdan28 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I only watched the first episode, did not even finish it yet because I'm so mad that the police did not wanted to help neither one of them!! I read on wikipedia what happened, and now I'm mad about the police AND the law, his lawyer and judges!!! I mean he was already arrested 10x !!!!!!!!!! Why was a person like this free to begin with??? I read that in the 2nd episode the monster gets the pity-victim-card... insanity!!! Why is police and the law so miserable all over the world? What's the point in having judges and all that circus if human rights are non existent?? My heart goes out to the victims, they are the only reason I gave a high rating, in hopes the people hear their stories! Also, what do you think will happen in 8 years after this monster is released AGAIN? That's right, he is gonna continue destroying lives.
Not a documentary
HumbleMensa31 March 2024
I won't go into the detail lest I ruin the plot for someone else.
From start to finish, this documentary is more like a reality show expose, not a documentary. The style is not a documentary and simply isn't well directed or produced. It should be classified as a reality show crime reproduction because the sensationalism and fake scenes distract from the story. Which the story, if it actually happened, is pretty creepy and definitely sends the message about the dangers of putting yourself all out there on social media. Anyway, again I can't say more or it'll become a spoiler review.
Suggestion that if you are expecting a documentary in proper old school documentary style, don't watch this but the story is worth reading about so just google it and you can read about it elsewhere.
I also don't like how this series makes the victims look so naive, not the best message to put out there.
From start to finish, this documentary is more like a reality show expose, not a documentary. The style is not a documentary and simply isn't well directed or produced. It should be classified as a reality show crime reproduction because the sensationalism and fake scenes distract from the story. Which the story, if it actually happened, is pretty creepy and definitely sends the message about the dangers of putting yourself all out there on social media. Anyway, again I can't say more or it'll become a spoiler review.
Suggestion that if you are expecting a documentary in proper old school documentary style, don't watch this but the story is worth reading about so just google it and you can read about it elsewhere.
I also don't like how this series makes the victims look so naive, not the best message to put out there.
It was alright.
alisa-570204 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I honestly think if you want to spread your whole life on social media you reap what you soe, oviously what these girls went through was awful. But why didn't they just give up social media, get a standard phone, come off the Internet. It seems social media was there life, and with that you will attract some interest.
The fact that Matthew got 9 years I find crazy, people get sent to prison for far less and for doing worse.
The guy is autistic, funny how most of the women he was writing to was blond, maybe something happened to him at school by a blonde girl that has made him attack the blonde pretty girls. Bullying at school can impact the rest of your life and that's what I personally think happened here, something affected him in his younger days and he was seaking revenge and control something he couldn't do before social media due to the lack of social interaction due to having austim. But phones allowed him to access this.
What to learn, Social media is not the real world and there is alot of scary people out there, but if u carry on showing your perfect world behind a camera, expect the unexpected, and be careful.
The fact that Matthew got 9 years I find crazy, people get sent to prison for far less and for doing worse.
The guy is autistic, funny how most of the women he was writing to was blond, maybe something happened to him at school by a blonde girl that has made him attack the blonde pretty girls. Bullying at school can impact the rest of your life and that's what I personally think happened here, something affected him in his younger days and he was seaking revenge and control something he couldn't do before social media due to the lack of social interaction due to having austim. But phones allowed him to access this.
What to learn, Social media is not the real world and there is alot of scary people out there, but if u carry on showing your perfect world behind a camera, expect the unexpected, and be careful.
No Laurels for this Hardy
Lejink10 March 2024
A very stylised, modern take on that very modern crime, cyber-bullying in this two-part Netflix true-crime documentary. We're introduced to three pretty young girls in different parts of England, all unknown to the other, one of whom has the unusual occupation of professional fire-eater, who in direct pieces-to-camera tell of how their personal lives have been affected by the insidious actions of an on-line stalker who lures them in with various takes on the series title. Pretty soon this invasion escalates with an air of menace attaching to the myriad number of messages they each has to field. In time, as they come to realise that they're not the only ones being targeted and eventually with the help of a diligent police officer who himself admits his own lack of experience in this area, the individual behind all the mayhem is tracked down and we see him convicted and sent away for a long time.
I must admit that living your life on social media isn't something to which I would ever aspire or can even understand in others but it seems to be very important to the young people here. When this Matthew Hardy character starts to disrupt their lives, it's difficult not to feel some sympathy for their plights especially when he tries to disrupt their relations with family and friends. We're eventually told that Hardy is "on the spectrum" in some way and has had a difficult, almost friendless childhood and that this has fired his enmity, although we're never told why he only targets photogenic young women.
I must admit, I found it very hard to engage with the production style used to tell the story. Each girl gets photographed from multiple angles as they tell their individual stories, almost like they were "Love Island" contestants and even get to act out reconstructions of the crimes committed against them. Hardy's on-line presence is characterised by a distorted voice speaking his texts and further enhanced by using a glowing electrified grid to show his various transmissions and even a creepy "smiley" monster personification of the stalker, as if borrowed from some modern-day horror movie. Likewise the treatment of the seeming sole cop who eventually cracks the case but who appears to be very much acting his part in front of the camera.
I'm glad the guy was put away and that these girls and others can resume their daily lives although it makes one wonder if this is the tip of the iceberg in this new, decidedly grey area which has enteted into daily life for many, especially in the young set.
I get that the youthful age of the participants and nature of the crime influenced the unusual, edgy way this story was told but personally I'd have preferred a more traditional old-style documentary take on this strangely unsettling story.
I must admit that living your life on social media isn't something to which I would ever aspire or can even understand in others but it seems to be very important to the young people here. When this Matthew Hardy character starts to disrupt their lives, it's difficult not to feel some sympathy for their plights especially when he tries to disrupt their relations with family and friends. We're eventually told that Hardy is "on the spectrum" in some way and has had a difficult, almost friendless childhood and that this has fired his enmity, although we're never told why he only targets photogenic young women.
I must admit, I found it very hard to engage with the production style used to tell the story. Each girl gets photographed from multiple angles as they tell their individual stories, almost like they were "Love Island" contestants and even get to act out reconstructions of the crimes committed against them. Hardy's on-line presence is characterised by a distorted voice speaking his texts and further enhanced by using a glowing electrified grid to show his various transmissions and even a creepy "smiley" monster personification of the stalker, as if borrowed from some modern-day horror movie. Likewise the treatment of the seeming sole cop who eventually cracks the case but who appears to be very much acting his part in front of the camera.
I'm glad the guy was put away and that these girls and others can resume their daily lives although it makes one wonder if this is the tip of the iceberg in this new, decidedly grey area which has enteted into daily life for many, especially in the young set.
I get that the youthful age of the participants and nature of the crime influenced the unusual, edgy way this story was told but personally I'd have preferred a more traditional old-style documentary take on this strangely unsettling story.
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