In the vast world ofdisturbing true crime, there’s no doubt thatNetflixhas proven to be one of the best at producing shows in the genre. Since the conception of its original programming branch, the streamer has made sure to participate in the true crime game with countless documentary shows and feature films. They’re not always good, of course, but the high offer of original productions is what makes Netflix a game-changer. There’s no better catalog than Netflix’s for modern true crime.
But again, they range from the laughable to the unsettling. In 2022, viewers saw a new show on their “recently released” lists. One with a notorious name that almost felt like a joke. It wasn’t called “Criminal Roommates” or “Roommates from Hell.” It was calledWorst Roommate Ever, a title that probably made a few people giggle. However, the giggles would stop as soon as people had evidenced true cases of the worst roommates ever to exist. The 2022 season, which consisted of four cases in five episodes, was a horrific visit to a dark underworld of deceit and crime that felt very close to home. Then, in 2024, the second season was released, and the stakes went higher with darker, more violent cases.
A few times, a show likeWorst Roommate Everdemands further analysis. But the reality is that Netflix’s latest true crime endeavor, which has a high production value, plays likea good crime thriller. It’s a solid follow-up (currently running its second season) that speaks highly of their keen eye in a subgenre in which you think you have seen it all. Trust us when we say you haven’t.
The following article contains mild spoilers for Worst Roommate Ever.
Worst Roommate Ever Is Full of Interesting Cases
Worst Roommate Ever
In Netflix’sWorst Roommate Ever, random strangers have come out of their shells to reveal a traumatic event involving a roommate or roommates they once had. The episodic nature of the show makes each episode explore a case in which roommates have committed crimes that range from violent theft to murder.The signature case that’s always been associated with the series is that of Dorothea Puente, the serial killer known as Death House Landlady.
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Using real testimonies by crime victims, law enforcement agents, and other witnesses,Worst Roommate Everdives deep into full true crime style in notorious cases where helpless victims slowly discover they may be in danger of a potential maniac living inches away from them. The show also uses traditional animation sequences to reenact some events; this is far from the conventional recreation method and feels like a weird resource. However, given how bizarre the cases depicted are, the cartoons won’t be an important factor in your decision to keep watching. Because yes, one thing’s for sure:Worst Roommate Everis binge-worthy— only nine episodes ofpure nightmare fuel.
One of Netflix’s Creepiest True Crime Documentaries
Unlike other true crime shows produced by Netflix,Worst Roommate Everdoesn’t go for an excessive number of cases and episodes. Roughly four episodes per season sound like more could have been created, but fortunately, it feels like a good selection was made to show only the creepiest of the creepiest. Also,none of the episodes feel like filling in a generic concept, and all the cases in question have one thing in common: you will keep saying, “Oh, surely they won’t dothat!” Oh, but they do.
That is not to saythatWorst Roommate Everdoesn’t comply with the rules of generic true crime shows. The film is as Netflix as it can be, with the visual language being too characteristic of the streamer. This is good news for those looking for something familiar, even if it’s a dauntingcollection of disturbing crimeswhere evil was blooming very close to victims. If Netflix intended to make us paranoid of the apparent safety of our own homes, then it’s a job well done. The cases share a naive view by today’s internet users, who believe a Craigslist ad is trustworthy enough. The reality is that none of those services will truly reveal the nature of your roommate, and only the experience will let you know who’s living next to you. Sadly, these poor victims found out the hard way.
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If you are up for a challenge, these disturbing documentaries may shock you, but they also touch on some fascinating truths about humanity.
Worst Roommate Everwill probably return in a third season, and it will proudly join its true crime peers as a highly-watched docuseries alongside the most notable of its subgenre:
The Most Disturbing Episodes of Worst Roommate Ever
The cases shown inWorst Roommate Everare the worst displays of human behavior in a home setting where you’re supposed to be safe. It’s safe to say that Craigslist ads have never looked worse than in this series. Some ofthe most disturbingepisodes of the show are the following:
