As others have noted, this series is as much about Michelle McNamara as it is about the California rapes and murders. McNamara's story --- a sad but unremarkable descent into obsession and addiction --- is simply not interesting enough to justify the extended treatment it gets. The series is on surer footing when its focus shifts to the crimes and, in particular, to the victims of those crimes.
179 Reviews
If you realize this series is not some sensational crime drama, you'll like it
AlsExGal2 August 2020
I think perhaps people's disappointment comes from the way this documentary was promoted as opposed to what it was actually about -
the True Crime community and the impact the search for the Golden State Killer had upon Michelle McNamara's life. Then there is the great irony of her accidental death before the book is published and the apprehension of the GSK right after it is published. If any one of these statements were not true I don't think there would have been such a documentary in the first place.
In a way we are forced to take a look at ourselves when we watch this doc - WHY are we so much more interested in the killer than a story about Michelle? Why are we so drawn to each gory detail? By juxtaposing her story with that of GSK we can see first hand the effects of true crime on Michelle, but it also causes us to question our own reactions to the crime and why we're here watching this in the first place.
This documentary is much more of a reflection on our society and our relationship with true crime than it is about GSK himself. But we should have known that, because until 72 year old Joseph De'Angelo was apprehended in 2018, there was literally nothing known about him. To describe him as non-descript would be generous. To describe him as "unhelpful" as far as talking about why he did it since he will never walk free again would be an understatement.
If you want to see GSK from another perspective, try reading the book "Sudden Terror" by Larry Crompton, a cop who was involved in the case early on. You may be shocked by some of the politically incorrect viewpoints this guy states - like "since the victim did not know the rapist, there was no point investigating further". I'm paraphrasing of course, and he did say this before it was realized that all of the attacks were from the same person, and Crompton is a product of his time of course.
Crompton's book came out before Michelle's book, and I would recommend reading it before IBGITD. Then come back to this documentary.
In a way we are forced to take a look at ourselves when we watch this doc - WHY are we so much more interested in the killer than a story about Michelle? Why are we so drawn to each gory detail? By juxtaposing her story with that of GSK we can see first hand the effects of true crime on Michelle, but it also causes us to question our own reactions to the crime and why we're here watching this in the first place.
This documentary is much more of a reflection on our society and our relationship with true crime than it is about GSK himself. But we should have known that, because until 72 year old Joseph De'Angelo was apprehended in 2018, there was literally nothing known about him. To describe him as non-descript would be generous. To describe him as "unhelpful" as far as talking about why he did it since he will never walk free again would be an understatement.
If you want to see GSK from another perspective, try reading the book "Sudden Terror" by Larry Crompton, a cop who was involved in the case early on. You may be shocked by some of the politically incorrect viewpoints this guy states - like "since the victim did not know the rapist, there was no point investigating further". I'm paraphrasing of course, and he did say this before it was realized that all of the attacks were from the same person, and Crompton is a product of his time of course.
Crompton's book came out before Michelle's book, and I would recommend reading it before IBGITD. Then come back to this documentary.
This Is About One Woman's Obsession
Mehki_Girl18 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I like true crime and would keep Investigation ID playing in the background all day. I haven't watched at all during Covid. In other words - balance.
This woman became unhealthily obsessed with a serial killer and this is essentially about her obsession.
If you can get past the nauseating me, me, me, she's so dedicated, so intelligent blah, blah, blah, first episode, it does wisely pick up and we get interviews with the cops and the victims.
She stupidly neglected her child, her husband, het family, and her marriage and took drugs to feed her obsession and died.
What a waste.
No wonder her husband, Oswalt Patton (King of Queens), talking about her death, simply said, my wife went to sleep and didn't wake up. I wondered the cause of death, thinking she had a medical condition and how tragic. Well I guess it is tragic to mix such powerful drugs that stop your breathing. Fentanyl? How do you get that kind of drug??? Then mix it work xanax?
She didn't solve the case. She wrote a book about her obsessive search. If you can stomach past hearing about her relationships with her mom and dad, you might find some interesting kernels from the people who were actually affected.
This woman became unhealthily obsessed with a serial killer and this is essentially about her obsession.
If you can get past the nauseating me, me, me, she's so dedicated, so intelligent blah, blah, blah, first episode, it does wisely pick up and we get interviews with the cops and the victims.
She stupidly neglected her child, her husband, het family, and her marriage and took drugs to feed her obsession and died.
What a waste.
No wonder her husband, Oswalt Patton (King of Queens), talking about her death, simply said, my wife went to sleep and didn't wake up. I wondered the cause of death, thinking she had a medical condition and how tragic. Well I guess it is tragic to mix such powerful drugs that stop your breathing. Fentanyl? How do you get that kind of drug??? Then mix it work xanax?
She didn't solve the case. She wrote a book about her obsessive search. If you can stomach past hearing about her relationships with her mom and dad, you might find some interesting kernels from the people who were actually affected.
Not sure what other reviewers are upset about
confused_poet29 June 2020
The first episode just aired yesterday, so obviously my review isn't my final, overall opinion. I just wanted to address the reviews that gave the first episode low marks. It seems as though the reviewers don't realize that this is a documentary series in 6 parts. There's more to it than just the first episode, therefore, the entire story is not going to be told in the first 60 minutes.
I don't think it was disjointed, as others have said; I think it does a good job of laying the groundwork for the rest of the series to build on. And yes, there is a focus on Michelle McNamara, the author of the book. The full title of the book is "I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer," that indicates that some of the documentary is going to be about her search, along with the EAR/ONS's crimes.
I read the book recently and I'm excited to see how this series unfolds, partly because there will be interviews with people who were involved with the original investigation, along with interviews of victims as well. Ms. McNamara interviewed people for the book, but to be able to hear it directly from them should be interesting. I just hate that I can't binge-watch it all at once!
I don't think it was disjointed, as others have said; I think it does a good job of laying the groundwork for the rest of the series to build on. And yes, there is a focus on Michelle McNamara, the author of the book. The full title of the book is "I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer," that indicates that some of the documentary is going to be about her search, along with the EAR/ONS's crimes.
I read the book recently and I'm excited to see how this series unfolds, partly because there will be interviews with people who were involved with the original investigation, along with interviews of victims as well. Ms. McNamara interviewed people for the book, but to be able to hear it directly from them should be interesting. I just hate that I can't binge-watch it all at once!
I'm at a loss for the negative reviews
FilmFanLifelong3 July 2020
This is a story about Michelle's chase of the EAR/ONS but it's truly a master class in documentary filmmaking. The chase gets under your skin. It unveils itself in a breathtaking manner. I am amazed that I hadn't heard more about the crime and the chase before this film.
Not a documentary on the Golden State Killer, more of an homage to Michelle McNamara
cdeanroane29 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Well this HBO documentary while it follows how the Golden State Killer. Who evolved from at the start being a bugler, then moved to becoming a rapist, and finally moved onto being a killer.. While his crimes are the thread that is holding the first episode together, You the viewer hear more about Michelle McNamara , a crime junkie/reporter/blogger. She was one of the first to realize that the East Area Rapist had evolved to now be the Original Night Starker. It was Michelle McNamara who gave him the name the Golden State Killer. We get first hand information on Michelle McNamara from her husband comedian and actor Patton Oswalt. as well others who talked and worked with Michelle McNamara . While this series deals with Golden State Killer we hear bits and pieces about his crime from police and victims. Most of episode 1 is honoring the time Michelle McNamara spent researching and writing about Golden State Killer. It is told through a narrator speaking as Michelle McNamara who got so engrossed in finding out who this killer was and writing a book about him. Michelle McNamara started taking the drugs Adderall to focus and Xanax to sleep, and eventually started using opioids. A habit nobody close to her even detected, as her friends and family thought she was just overly tired and exhausted from over working investigating and on the book trying to identify the Golden State Killer. .On April 21, 2016 it caught up with Michelle McNamara as she overdosed and died. The autopsy ruled that her death was an accidental over dose, So watch this and if the rest fo the series, but if follows the form of the first episode you will hear more about Michelle McNamara then then killer himself as Michelle McNamara died before he was identified and caught.
Seriously, people?!
ashgrosz8 July 2020
If I read one more review of "it's about Michelle!", I'm going to scream! The title of the docuseries is THE SAME TITLE AS HER BOOK! I could not roll my eyes anymore without them falling out. Good God, people. Refrain from writing a stupid review because you didn't know this was about the book.
Great documentary that tells two stories in parallel - refreshing way of story telling
amazingacy16 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, seeing all these negative reviews referring to the documentary as a closure for Patton or narcissistic documentary simply because it was about the author of the book is really upsetting. How narrow-minded are these people? Yes, the documentary is based on the book but Michelle was a contributing factor in solving this case. Of course she will be mentioned multiple times.
So, if you're here to watch a documentary about EAR/ONS only then this is not a place for you. However if you're here to watch a very complex story unfold about how a blogger/author's tremendous research and digging freaking helped in re-opening and even solving the case 40+ years later while at the same time learning about the case and hearing all these survivors' stories, then hell yeah this is a place for you.
Another thing that I think is amazing is that the story was also focused around the survivors even after it was revealed that they caught him. You could see a few scenes of him in court etc but overall they still let them tell their whole experience of the situation and I find that beautiful especially considering the fact that during the 70s/80s they were silenced.
Production wise it is one of the better documentaries I've seen and that's why I give it a 10. The negative feedback here doesn't do it justice.
So, if you're here to watch a documentary about EAR/ONS only then this is not a place for you. However if you're here to watch a very complex story unfold about how a blogger/author's tremendous research and digging freaking helped in re-opening and even solving the case 40+ years later while at the same time learning about the case and hearing all these survivors' stories, then hell yeah this is a place for you.
Another thing that I think is amazing is that the story was also focused around the survivors even after it was revealed that they caught him. You could see a few scenes of him in court etc but overall they still let them tell their whole experience of the situation and I find that beautiful especially considering the fact that during the 70s/80s they were silenced.
Production wise it is one of the better documentaries I've seen and that's why I give it a 10. The negative feedback here doesn't do it justice.
Tragic
Pequod883 August 2020
While I don't share the frustration of those who expected a documentary focused primarily on the Golden State Killer, I do think "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" has problems, despite the many strengths of the series. Liz Garbus is an exceptionally talented filmmaker who has directed several superior documentaries. This is not her best work.
Michelle McNamara is the lead story. As the episodes accumulate it becomes increasingly clear that while smart, passionate and dedicated, she is not especially interesting. We learn about her family, upbringing, blogging, fact gathering, obsession, and drug abuse. Great care is taken not to judge her or question the decisions that led to her death.
Her husband comes across as a well-intentioned enabler, woefully out of touch with changes in McNamara's health. Viewers are left to wonder how much child rearing was left to a nanny we never meet. When McNamara's sister shares that she ordered a full toxicology, which revealed fentanyl from black market drugs, the implications are left hanging.
We never learn what shape the incomplete draft of the book was in, or the extent of the revisions and additions. Much more interesting are the interviews with survivors of the GSK. The honest reflections and painful revelations say more about the vast harm done by the murderer/rapist than anything we learn about McNamara. They were brave to share. Their stories are chilling. They live with pain that never really goes away.
McNamara did not solve the case. In some ways, she became another victim of the GSK. The film casts her in as favorable a light as is possible, yet the real heroes are the dedicated law enforcement officers (some retired), and the courageous survivors. The advancement of DNA testing, along with a growing database, was essential to bringing long delayed justice to become a reality. There were many victims of the GSK. The brave survivors are the true heart of the series. Tragically, McNamara was a victim of her own making.
Michelle McNamara is the lead story. As the episodes accumulate it becomes increasingly clear that while smart, passionate and dedicated, she is not especially interesting. We learn about her family, upbringing, blogging, fact gathering, obsession, and drug abuse. Great care is taken not to judge her or question the decisions that led to her death.
Her husband comes across as a well-intentioned enabler, woefully out of touch with changes in McNamara's health. Viewers are left to wonder how much child rearing was left to a nanny we never meet. When McNamara's sister shares that she ordered a full toxicology, which revealed fentanyl from black market drugs, the implications are left hanging.
We never learn what shape the incomplete draft of the book was in, or the extent of the revisions and additions. Much more interesting are the interviews with survivors of the GSK. The honest reflections and painful revelations say more about the vast harm done by the murderer/rapist than anything we learn about McNamara. They were brave to share. Their stories are chilling. They live with pain that never really goes away.
McNamara did not solve the case. In some ways, she became another victim of the GSK. The film casts her in as favorable a light as is possible, yet the real heroes are the dedicated law enforcement officers (some retired), and the courageous survivors. The advancement of DNA testing, along with a growing database, was essential to bringing long delayed justice to become a reality. There were many victims of the GSK. The brave survivors are the true heart of the series. Tragically, McNamara was a victim of her own making.
If you loved the book and the sequel book, you'll love this show!!!
pringchris16 July 2020
I read Michelle's book and listened to Paul Holes book on Audible, and this documentary is the visual version of both books. The people that are complaining, are the ones that wanted a gritty true crime documentary.
What I love about this documentary is that it shows how much of a toll it takes on Michelle and her family. She was so dedicated to her work and she was so invested to finishing her book. Please just look into what the documentary is truly about!
What I love about this documentary is that it shows how much of a toll it takes on Michelle and her family. She was so dedicated to her work and she was so invested to finishing her book. Please just look into what the documentary is truly about!
Misleading description
rubya5 September 2020
This series is advertised as being a true cime story about the Golden State Killer.
Very quickly in the first episode, you feel like it's rather an advert for Michelle McNamarra's blog, podcast and book. The blog's URL is repeated multiple times like these bad adverts for car insurance and we're told by various people how great Michelle is and how great her book is going to be.
A lot of time is spent explaining how Michelle got interested in the case, how she investigated it, how she got access to evidence and sources, her thoughts and theories and how she wrote about it all.
Is this just a badly disguised tribute to Michelle from her family and friends?
If you stick with it, you do end up hearing from the victims and their story, and how the GSK operated but it does take a while.
The episodes though are often a jumble of bits which don't seem to have a particular order or flow to them. You don't feel like you are progressing through time or through an investigation. It's more like listening to someone remembering parts of Michelle's life story in random order until you reach the point when the crimes themselves are discussed. This makes it difficult to get into and at times quite boring.
Had they stuck to talking about the crimes, victims and investigations/evidence, it would have been a 2 (perhaps 3) episodes series but interesting throughout.
Any misunderstanding...
Michael Fargo14 July 2020
...about the contents of this superb series is because the viewer isn't open to all the film is about. This is the story of a woman who is fascinated with the criminal mind. The fact that she's not a sworn law enforcement officer, shouldn't take away from how talented, creative and, ultimately obsessed she is with one serial killer known by various names but ultimately linked as one due to the advancement in DNA forensics. McNamara names him the Golden State Killer.
I was reminded of Truman Capote's confession that he had a nervous breakdown researching the Clutter murders for "In Cold Blood." And his research overlapped the killers' arrest and results in fostering a deeply personal relationship with the killers with very complicated motives, and their execution. Here, Michelle McNamara is goaded on by NOT knowing who the killer is and her interest turned to obsession in trying to find out who the killer/rapist was. This is that story. It's not solely about the case. She died not knowing that he would be found, arrested and sentenced for life.
To promote that her work isn't worthy of this HBO documentary is baffling. The series includes minute detail about the victims, the investigations (which were often sabotaged by law enforcement itself), the victims and impact on family, friends, and communities, only reinforces why she was so driven.
Patton Oswald who is also the motivating force of the completion of McNamara's work as well as the push for the documentary comes across as a loving (very understanding) husband of another creative soul. It's unrealistic to exclude the material about his wife since the effect of it had such a profound impact on his marriage and ultimately the course of his life.
The direction of the documentary by Liz Garbus is artful and flows with the urgency McNamara brought to the case. Minutely detailed, excellent recreation of the period, and despite complaints by the victims, their complaints seem more of an expression of the tragedy they've lived through rather than how they come across in any portrayal in the film. No one is demeaned in a very difficult situation talking about the consequences of being a victim, a survivor, or involved in law enforcement. In the case of the latter, there was plenty of room to mock or criticize. The film steers wide and clear of that.
While I've yet to see the last two episodes where relatives of the killer are interviewed, I'll assume they are treated as respectfully. If not, I'll amend this review.
I was reminded of Truman Capote's confession that he had a nervous breakdown researching the Clutter murders for "In Cold Blood." And his research overlapped the killers' arrest and results in fostering a deeply personal relationship with the killers with very complicated motives, and their execution. Here, Michelle McNamara is goaded on by NOT knowing who the killer is and her interest turned to obsession in trying to find out who the killer/rapist was. This is that story. It's not solely about the case. She died not knowing that he would be found, arrested and sentenced for life.
To promote that her work isn't worthy of this HBO documentary is baffling. The series includes minute detail about the victims, the investigations (which were often sabotaged by law enforcement itself), the victims and impact on family, friends, and communities, only reinforces why she was so driven.
Patton Oswald who is also the motivating force of the completion of McNamara's work as well as the push for the documentary comes across as a loving (very understanding) husband of another creative soul. It's unrealistic to exclude the material about his wife since the effect of it had such a profound impact on his marriage and ultimately the course of his life.
The direction of the documentary by Liz Garbus is artful and flows with the urgency McNamara brought to the case. Minutely detailed, excellent recreation of the period, and despite complaints by the victims, their complaints seem more of an expression of the tragedy they've lived through rather than how they come across in any portrayal in the film. No one is demeaned in a very difficult situation talking about the consequences of being a victim, a survivor, or involved in law enforcement. In the case of the latter, there was plenty of room to mock or criticize. The film steers wide and clear of that.
While I've yet to see the last two episodes where relatives of the killer are interviewed, I'll assume they are treated as respectfully. If not, I'll amend this review.
Awful
idanh-4496227 June 2021
Thoughtful Real life mystery and writer's path
lmichelsen13 July 2020
This is a documentary style series on the journey of the writer who became possessed with investigating the series of rapes and murders in California. Very interesting first person account of the writer and her path of investigating these cases.
Would recommend - enjoyed the series but saddened by the true events.
Would recommend - enjoyed the series but saddened by the true events.
I don't think the complainers watched the entire series.
brittlinville19 September 2022
What I'm getting from the reviewers here that are complaining about the fact that they didn't see enough of the killer or the catching of the Golden State Killer didn't watch the whole series. They go into detail about what led to catching him in episodes 5 & 6. The first four episodes are about the various crimes and Michelle's life around writing the book and what led her to researching the GSK and the naming of him. Episode 8 reviews another case in Oak Park, IL, where Michelle grew up, and what led to her interest in true crime. I truly enjoyed this series. It's a smidge too long for me in some episodes but I really enjoyed it.
Sloppy film-making; a disservice to its subject matter
pattyjodoin-8-91311029 June 2020
Which story are you telling? It's 30 minutes in and it seems the director can't decide which story they're telling. This is BAD documentary film-making. It's sloppy and disjointed, and it the tone of this thing is way off the mark.
It's very disappointing. I was interested in learning about McNamara's story and the story of the killer, but this documentary seems incapable of telling either.
It's very disappointing. I was interested in learning about McNamara's story and the story of the killer, but this documentary seems incapable of telling either.
Good parts and bad parts
Lokroep23 December 2020
Honestly I felt bad about thinking the stuff about the author that didn't interest me, but then I saw the reviews and saw people were even more annoyed by it. Since I have this interest for serial killers I felt held up when the story about this author went bigger and bigger.
Anyway, I wouldn't say it is a bad documentary, I just wasn't too interested in the story about the author. The parts of the serial killer are done greatly, there were parts where I felt a lot of tension. The crimescenes were built greatly and mixed up with the voicememos and stories it made a good documentary.
They shoud've made a version with all the other stuff cut out and leave it a 2 or 3 part documentary. I still would recommend it, depending on what you like to see.
Anyway, I wouldn't say it is a bad documentary, I just wasn't too interested in the story about the author. The parts of the serial killer are done greatly, there were parts where I felt a lot of tension. The crimescenes were built greatly and mixed up with the voicememos and stories it made a good documentary.
They shoud've made a version with all the other stuff cut out and leave it a 2 or 3 part documentary. I still would recommend it, depending on what you like to see.
Excellent take on a superb book
sharian7 July 2020
The "how we did it" of capturing the Golden State Killer. It shows what a committed researcher can do when working with others with similar interests. "Citizen Detectives" all - the cooperation and sharing is an example of what we can do when sufficiently motivated. It's one of life's major injustices that Michelle didn't live to see the resolution of the case to which she brought such energy and devotion. Bravo Michelle - you made the difference!
Decent, but sloppy, ode to a celeb's late, talented wife.
Android20 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The stories of the EAR/GSK and author/investigator Michelle McNamara are inextricably connected. The problem is not that this film attempts to tell both, its that unfortunately this film does justice to neither.
The fundamental problem, in my opinion, is a poor understanding of solid storytelling.
Great documentaries tell us riveting stories about subjects we might otherwise be indifferent to, ex: Crumb, Grey Gardens, Hoop Dreams, The Thin Blue Line etc..
This film gives us very little to hang on to. It's convoluted, jarringly paced and confusingly edited. I like Amy Ryan, but her "acting" as narrator is frequently overacted and amateurishly melodramatic. Unlike Michelle who seems much different in person. It's also unclear at times as to who is speaking/narrating (and from what time frame). I don't require much to be spelled out in films but I found myself asking my wife (who is a true crime nut herself and read MMs book) wait, who? What? When? Where? And she would inevitably say "uh..I'm not sure". Then it would be onto the next thing. A few titles of names and dates might have helped here.
There is also a slightly crass patina of narcissism throughout this film. A famous man venerating his late wife. Out of love? Guilt? Narcissism? I felt all three. On one hand of course that's fine. Why not? It's a story that can be told. But there are things that didn't sit well with me.
Patton signing his late wife's books. Why? Because he wrote the introduction? No one does that. It's Because he is famous. That's it. If he were just a normal guy, a supportive husband who wrote the introduction to his late-wife's book, he would not be signing them. (If you can think of an example I will stand corrected). It seems to me to be small look into how celebrity skews perspective and encourages self-absorption and narcissism. It's a small thing to notice, but to me it says much about Patton.
Further, the issue of her drug abuse, and his enabling of it, seems to be entirely ignored. Yet It's all there. But it's treated so casually as if it's not really a problem. As if no one was acting irresponsibly. She habitually misused/abused/was addicted to pharmaceuticals, for anxiety, to sleep, and Patton enabled all of it. He essentially justifies it by saying, with an almost proud smile, "it was like the story was more important than herself".
No. It really wasn't.
I've seen 4 eps...and we'll finish it. But my (and my wife's, who was a fan of the book) perspective on it is, I suspect, not what the makers hoped for.
These reviews are moronic
heythereitskrista12 July 2020
All the reviews that say "iT's mAiNlY aBoUt ThE aUtHoR" are so stupid. that's how it was advertised. it never said it was strictly about the GSK. you can't watch the Leaving Neverland documentary and get upset that they don't talk about MJ's music. seriously people.
as for the documentary, its good! Michelle's story is intriguing and relatable as a fellow crime enthusiast. at times it does jump around a bit but I don't feel lost watching it. give it a try!
as for the documentary, its good! Michelle's story is intriguing and relatable as a fellow crime enthusiast. at times it does jump around a bit but I don't feel lost watching it. give it a try!
Unfortunately, too long
costello-9547210 August 2020
Interesting, thrilling documentary which glues one to the screen. Having said, details and ideas keep being repeated with lengthy and sometimes irrelevant interviews. Could have easily cut down into four-five episodes.
I'll be watching in the dark...
phantasm1729 June 2020
This is simply excellent documentary filmmaking.
I'm very familiar with the EAR/ONS (Golden Stare Killer) case having studied it on my own for many years. Of course, I'm ecstatic with the arrest of a suspect (leaving name out since he's not convicted) as I'm sure Michelle would be too. The first episode really hit home because I know what it's like to spend hour after hour day after day obsessed with amateur detective work. You sometimes wonder if you're having any impact at all and are often mocked for trying to shed light into places where it's never landed before. Michelle's work proved that amateur slueuthing can make a difference in subtle and important ways. Would the case have been solved without her contributions? Maybe, even probably, but that's not really the point. Her work demonstrates that the victims in these terrible crimes do matter, no matter how long the cases remain unsolved. The victims matter to her and to all of those who strive to solve these mysteries, and it's that fact that keeps amateur detectives motivated to the point of obsession and NOT some morbid fascination with human tragedy.
I said all of the above because I feel the filmmakers have done an excellent job capturing the real motivations for people like Michelle McNamara and all other armchair detectives. Since the subject matter is both the Golden State Killer case and Michelle McNamara's obsession with it, it's much more nuanced than a more traditional true-crime documentary where the subjects are generally comprised of police officers, the subject of their investigation, and, on occasion, surviving victims and family members. 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' functions on all of those levels too but also goes deeper by using a non-traditional protagonist. The filmmakers deserve kudos for utilizing this unique angle, and in the first episode they've done an excellent job of setting up the the characters and the conflict of the documentary.
If the remaining episodes are on par with the first, this documentary series will easily score an 8/10.
(Note: I am not affiliated with the filmmakers, Michelle McNamara, or her estate in any way. The above review reflects my unbiased opinion of this documentary. Rest in peace Michelle.)
I didn't understand the negative reviews at first but now i get it.
oley3135 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Right off the bat, if you want a documentary that deals with NOTHING but the GSK then this is not for you. Got it? Good.
With that said, it's not lost on me how well made this documentary is but I have strong mixed feelings after watching this. By the end of the last episode all I could think of is Michelle should absolutely still be with us. For a down to earth midwest girl to go out in such a big city way is beyond me. Maybe with a daughter of my own i'm too close to her exact situation but it's unfathomable to me that anyone could let their job literally kill them. Yes this was accidental, but it was coming for a long time and she kind of alluded to it in her writings. I think she clearly was using random prescription drugs probably since college and normalized it. But I digress, and that's my main problem with this documentary. I couldn't stop thinking about her sad story and it overshadowed her amazing book and the stories of the survivors.
With that said, it's not lost on me how well made this documentary is but I have strong mixed feelings after watching this. By the end of the last episode all I could think of is Michelle should absolutely still be with us. For a down to earth midwest girl to go out in such a big city way is beyond me. Maybe with a daughter of my own i'm too close to her exact situation but it's unfathomable to me that anyone could let their job literally kill them. Yes this was accidental, but it was coming for a long time and she kind of alluded to it in her writings. I think she clearly was using random prescription drugs probably since college and normalized it. But I digress, and that's my main problem with this documentary. I couldn't stop thinking about her sad story and it overshadowed her amazing book and the stories of the survivors.
bait and switch
lascavior25 February 2021
Honestly, Ive never been more disappointed in a show in quite a while. Completely misleading title in that it has little to do with the GSK. Even though I dont like Patton Oswald personally, I cant be more sympathetic to his situation.
But unfortunately, I think his sorrow has just turned his wifes work into a vanity project. Not a good documentary at all.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
