This gripping true-crime drama delves into the chilling and complex 25-year saga of Lonnie Franklin Jr., a man accused of the brutal murders of at least ten women in Los Angeles, though many believe the actual number could be much higher. Known as the “Grim Sleeper,” a moniker given to him by the media, Franklin’s infamy is partly due to a striking 13-year hiatus in the murders, which led to unsettling questions about his motives and methods.

Franklin’s approach to luring his victims often involved chance encounters, where seemingly ordinary interactions would spiral into horrific outcomes. Many of his targets were vulnerable women, often struggling with addiction or homelessness, making it all too easy for him to prey on them. As he navigated the city’s streets, his life took on a disturbing normalcy, with neighbors unaware that a serial killer lived among them.

What’s particularly alarming is the role of the Los Angeles Police Department, which mishandled investigations into these crimes for years. Their repeated failures allowed Franklin to evade capture, the result of botched leads and missed opportunities that left families without answers and the community in fear. Shrouded in darkness, Franklin managed to collect a government pension, a stark reminder of the monstrous man hiding in plain sight.

The narration style of the documentary is quite dry and clinical, reminiscent of the iconic ’50s and ’60s cop show Dragnet, where the focus is squarely on presenting the facts in an unembellished manner. While I don’t always gravitate towards true crime stories, this particular narrative captivates the audience by exposing the chilling reality of a killer living just around the corner, making it far more engaging than many other tales in the genre

My rating: ✯✯✯