Crime documentaries
9 South African true-crime series, ranked
From Devilsdorp to Tracking Thabo Bester, these true-crime documentary series explore some of the darkest and most audacious acts – all available to stream on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Station Strangler (2023)
A gripping documentary that explores the facts behind the serial killer known as The Station Strangler, who targeted young boys on the Cape Flats in the 80s and 90s.
Made in South AfricaDirector Nadine Cloete on Showmax’s The Station Strangler
Watch the trailer for The Station Strangler, the latest true-crime feature doccie from IdeaCandy for Showmax. Arrives 6 November.
Made in South Africa
The Truth vs Alex Jones
This doccie looks at how families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting took conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to court for spreading lies about the event being a hoax.
Tell Them You Love Me (2023)
A true-crime documentary about the university professor who had a controversial affair with a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy.
False Glory: Showmax series investigates shocking sports stories
First look at the explosive trailer for False Glory, a true-crime documentary series that delves into three shocking stories that rocked the sports world. Premiering 19 August on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Dark Side of Glory
Two-part documentary Dark Side of Glory tells the stories behind shocking cases of murder and unexplained deaths in the world of sport. All the episodes are streaming.
Made in South AfricaMust watch trailer: true-crime doccie Dark Side of Glory
Watch the explosive first trailers for Dark Side of Glory, a true crime documentary about the shocking cases of murder in the world of sport. Premieres 31 July on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
9 most shocking moments in The Illuminated
Are you strong enough to binge Showmax Original documentary series The Illuminated? Here’s what you’ll need to prepare yourself.
Made in South Africa
When We Were Bullies (2022)
A mind-boggling coincidence leads the filmmaker to track down his fifth-grade class and fifth-grade teacher to examine their memory of and complicity in a bullying incident 50 years ago.
Former SAPS profiler on the murder that “stands out the most”
Former SAPS head profiler Dr Gérard Labuschagne discusses the true-crime documentary Original Sin: My Son The Killer, noting it as the most troubling case in his career.
Made in South AfricaOriginal Sin: My Son The Killer (2024)
The chilling story of Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, told by his mother, who helped him flee South Africa after he murdered his girlfriend, Andrea Venter.
Made in South Africa
Tracking Thabo Bester
A documentary about the convicted murderer and rapist who did not die in Cell 35 but was instead seen shopping in Sandton City. Two episodes 15 March, final episodes 22 March on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaMust-watch trailer for Original Sin: My Son The Killer
See the trailer for the Showmax Original true-crime documentary Original Sin: My Son The Killer, about the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren. Lands 22 March.
Made in South Africa
The Illuminated
A behind-the-scenes look at non-mainstream religious organisations throughout South Africa, including their members, beliefs, structures and controversies surrounding them.
Made in South Africa
Must-watch trailer: Tracking Thabo Bester
Streaming on 15 and 22 March 2024, Showmax Original documentary series Tracking Thabo Bester is the documentary South Africa has been waiting for.
Made in South Africa
Libby, Are You Home Yet?
This award-winning true-crime British series tells the story of a 21-year-old who was sent home alone in a taxi, from a nightclub – but never arrived.
“Compelling and riveting”: Convict Conman comes to Showmax
Stream the two-part true-crime documentary Convict Conman, about the bold investigations by journalists Jana Marx and Sasha Wein, only on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Convict Conman
This Showmax Original true-crime series follows the investigations into Dawie de Villiers, a supposed model agency boss accused of multiple rapes, and shadowy publisher Michael O’Connor. Warning: contains descriptions of sexual abuse.
Made in South Africa
Trailer alert: Convict Conman investigates “the Kempton Park Hugh Hefner”
Showmax has dropped a trailer for Convict Conman, the docuseries investigating “the Kempton Park Hugh Hefner”. Landing on 6 and 13 December.
Made in South Africa
“He didn’t seem overly put off by what he did” – Boetie Boer now ready to binge
Psychologist Dr Labuschagne talks about meeting South African serial killer Stewart Wilken. Boetie Boer is now available to binge-watch.
Made in South Africa
Boetie Boer director Jasyn Howes on meeting serial killer Stewart Wilken
Boetie Boer director Jasyn Howes talks about meeting Stewart Wilken, the subject of Showmax’s most disturbing Original true-crime series.
Made in South Africa
Boetie Boer: Inside The Mind Of A Monster
In the most disturbing Showmax Original true-crime series to date, we go back in time to 1990 as Stewart “Boetie Boer” Wilken starts his killing spree in Gqeberha.
Made in South Africa
Watch the trailer for Boetie Boer: Inside The Mind Of A Monster
See the chilling first trailer for the Showmax Original true-crime series Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster, coming 18 October 2023.
Made in South Africa