Summary

  • Explore other unsettling true-crime series like Wild Wild Country and Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich for shocking revelations.
  • Dive deep into the dark world of big-cat collectors with Tiger King for a thrilling and controversial true-crime experience.
  • Uncover the disturbing secrets behind unsolved murders in The Keepers for a gripping look at power and corruption.

This article discusses heavy themes and extreme real world violence, including murder and sexual assault.

The thrilling story of The Jinx recently came to an end as audiences witnessed how the real estate heir and convicted murderer Robert Durst managed to evade justice for so long. While the family of Durst’s murdered wife, Kathleen, continues to seek compensation from the Durst estate for her death (via The Guardian), many viewers will be searching for another true-crime series to be captivated by. The Jinx brought up many pressing questions around justice, wealth, and those who used their power to get away with horrible crimes, and these themes were also explored in several other compelling series.

From high-profile cases of extraordinarily wealthy criminals like Jeffrey Epstein to genuinely scary crime documentaries, plenty of series captured the same thrilling atmosphere of The Jinx as the shocking details of real-life cases were slowly unveiled. With some series made over several years and decades, the extensive research and interviews of the best true-crime series made for a truly compelling viewing experience. There was no shortage of options for those looking to follow up The Jinx with something similar.

10 Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (2020)

Four-Part miniseries

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (2020)

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich is a 2020 documentary series that explores the criminal activities of financier Jeffrey Epstein. It features interviews with survivors, law enforcement officials, and journalists who shed light on Epstein’s manipulation and abuse, revealing the systemic failures that allowed his crimes to go unchecked.

Cast
Jeffrey Epstein , Ghislaine Maxwell
Release Date
May 27, 2020
Seasons
1

American businessman Jeffrey Epstein was another man who, like Robert Durst in The Jinx, used his incredible wealth to evade justice for decades. Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Richy was a four-part miniseries that interviewed several survivors and associates of Epstein to tell the story of how he used his wealth and power to commit heinous acts. From Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion to his notorious island, Filthy Rich told the full story, from accusations to conviction and his eventual death under suspicious circumstances.

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Richy peeled back the curtain on the lives of the elite and how there were those who, if they had enough money, could get away with anything. As the powerful sex trafficking ring at the heart of this case was exposed, it felt satisfying to watch a true-crime account that sought to give voice to the survivors rather than sensationalize the perpetrators. While there might be even more information to be discovered that was not included in Filthy Rich, this was a highly informative series that addressed the pressing issues of this infamous case.

9 Wild Wild Country (2018)

Six-part miniseries

What began as a spiritual community’s apparent attempt to carve out a new type of society based on medication and mindfulness soon grew far darker in the miniseries Wild Wild Country. Like in The Jinx, it’s easy to get drawn in by the charismatic presence of the Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and see how so many people fell under his spell. However, tensions began to rise when the guru and his followers bought 80,000 acres in Wasco County, Oregon, and started to build their own agricultural commune.

Wild Wild Country was fascinating because, like in The Jinx, once audiences felt they grasped the full story, a new aspect would be introduced. This six-part Netflix miniseries showcased how Rajneesh’s assistant, Ma Anand Sheela, grew to be a spokesperson in and of herself and the dark accusations posited toward this community that many have called a cult. Wild Wild Country reported on what happened but never took a stance and gave those on both sides of the story time to speak their peace.

Wild Wild Country

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Craziest Things We Saw In Netflix’s Wild Wild Country

Prepare to be stunned by Netflix’s incredible six-part docuseries about an Oregon-based cult named Rajneeshpuram, founded by cult leader Osho.

8 Evil Genius (2018)

Four-part miniseries

The promo photo from Evil Genius on Netflix

When the first season of The Jinx aired, it was all about uncovering the mysterious murders associated with Robert Durst, culminating in a shocking finale where he accidentally confessed while still hooked up to his microphone. Sadly, Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist didn’t have as big a reveal, as this was a bizarre story that’s still shrouded in questions to this day. However, the thrilling way this heist and its consequences were explored in this four-part miniseries made for compelling viewing.

Evil Genius tracked the story of the “pizza bomber heist” and the FBI’s investigation into its bizarre assortment of suspects. This was when a pizza delivery man named Brian Welles died after a bomb strapped to his neck detonated during a bank robbery. Questions around whether Welles was a willing participant in the heist, knew that the bomb was real, or just how this extraordinary set of circumstances came to be were explored in Evil Genius.

7 Tiger King (2020 – 2021)

Three seasons

Tiger King on Netflix was essential viewing during the pandemic restrictions when everyone was stuck at home and discussing the extraordinary stories of Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin. Like Robert Durst in The Jinx, Joe Exotic was a highly watchable and engaging subject for a true-crime documentary. As the controversial and interconnected world of big cats was explored and issues of animal abuse and murder came to the forefront, Tiger King became more thrilling with each subsequent episode.

Much like in The Jinx, the first season of Tiger King was only the beginning, as the series’ popularity had real-life implications for those it featured. With some interviewees behind bars and pressing questions about what truly happened to Baskin’s husband left open, Tiger King continued for subsequent seasons, although it was never quite as intriguing as its run of initial episodes. For those who missed it the first time around, it’s still worth going back and checking out the first season of Tiger King.

6 The Keepers (2017)

Seven-episode miniseries

The Keepers (2017) - Poster
The Keepers (2017)

The Keepers is a 2017 documentary series directed by Ryan White that delves into the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a nun and teacher in Baltimore. The series explores the allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members at the school where Cesnik taught and connects these incidents to her mysterious death, raising questions about systemic corruption and justice.

Cast
Abbie Schaub , Gemma Hoskins , Jean Hargadon Wehner , Tom Nugent
Release Date
May 19, 2017
Seasons
1

While The Jinx powerfully explored the case of Robert Durst’s missing wife, Kathleen McCormack, The Keepers examined the unsolved murder of the nun Catherine Cesnik in 1969. Through interviews with Catherine’s former students at Baltimore’s all-girls Archbishop Keough High School, a story was unraveled around secret cover-ups, abuses of power, and sexual scandals that involved a priest at the high school. The Keepers was a thrilling series that sought to uncover long-buried secrets.

One interesting way that The Keepers would connect to those captivated by The Jinx was because it was just as much about those who helped bury the mystery as it was about the murder story itself. Without systems in place to protect the ultra-wealthy, like Durst, or those in power, such as in the Catholic Church, these crimes would not have laid dormant for so long. The Keepers was an excellent examination of the inner workings of power and the tragic consequences for those like Catherine who tried to confront it.

The Keepers left out evidence feature

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The Keepers: Pieces Of Evidence The Show Leaves Out

The Keepers was an intense docu-series on Netflix about an unsolved murder, and here are some bits of evidence the show has left out.

5 Allen V. Farrow (2011)

Allen v Farrow Dylan and Woody

The four-part HBO documentary miniseries Allen v. Farrow explored the allegations of sexual abuse made against the filmmaker Woody Allen in 1992. Unlike the first season of The Jinx, Allen v. Farrow was not made with the accused’s participation but instead focused on home videos and interviews with family members. Interestingly, Allen v. Farrow included interviews with Allen’s accuser, Dylan Farrow, who was seven years old when the alleged sexual abuse was said to have taken place.

Allen v. Farrow received criticism for presenting a one-sided account of the controversy, but it was a compelling look at the disintegration of Allen and Mia Farrow’s relationship, creative partnership, and the destruction of their unconventional family unit. Utilizing extensive research and police reports, Allen v. Farrow gave insight into a case that most were aware of, but few knew the intricate details of. A gripping account of a controversy whose ripple effects can still be felt more than 30 years later, Allen v. Farrow highlighted why the once famed director became such a Hollywood pariah following the MeToo movement.

4 O.J.: Made In America (2016)

Five-Part Miniseries

o j made in america tv show poster
O.J.: Made in America

A chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent of American racial tensions, revealing a fractured and divided nation.

Cast
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Muhammad Ali , Marcus Allen , Bea Arthur , F. Lee Bailey , Danny Bakewell , Paula Barbieri
Release Date
May 20, 2016
Seasons
1

The five-part miniseries O.J. Made in America won the Academy Award for Best Documentary for its theatrical version. It expertly explored race and celebrity through the lens of O.J. Simpson’s life, career, and criminal cases. O.J. Made in America, much like The Jinx, highlighted how those with power and influence were treated differently and could often evade the justice system in America. What set O.J. Made in America apart from other documentaries dealing with this subject was its length, which provided enough time to explore and give context to Simpson’s popularity before the case against him.

The trial of O.J. Simpson for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Lyle Goldman and his subsequent acquittal had a lot to say about American culture as it incorporated issues of celebrity, money, and race. Much like Robert Durst initially evaded justice in his 2003 murder trial, Simpson’s legal team was able to concoct a compelling defense despite the evidence against him. Many interesting connections can be made between the trials against Durst and Simpson, which made O.J. Made in America essential viewing for those looking to replace The Jinx with a new series.

3 Paradise Lost (1996, 2000, 2011)

Three-part documentary feature series

The trials of the West Memphis Three were cataloged in the thrilling documentary series Paradise Lost, whose evolution was tracked in three parts: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills in 1996, Revelations in 2000, and Purgatory in 2011. Unlike The Jinx, which highlighted how the rich and powerful often evaded justice, Paradise Lost showed how those without power can be scapegoated and wrongly accused. As a case about three teenage boys accused of murder and satanic rituals, Paradise Lost highlighted the long road that the accused must travel when trying to clear their names.

Paradise Lost was a fascinating series to watch without knowing how the case finally ended, as it was full of so many twists and turns, potential suspects, and shocking miscarriages of justice by law enforcement that it continually left viewers on the edge of their seats. Seeing the accused teenagers grow from boys to men while behind bars was a heartbreaking example of the failures of the American justice system. Paradise Lost and The Jinx were two sides of the same coin and, more so than anything, highlighted the importance of a fair trial.

2 Making A Murderer (2015-2018)

Two seasons

While it’s true that the Netflix true-crime series Making a Murderer left out key pieces of information, it made for truly compelling viewing as audiences sought to discover the truth behind the case against Steven Avery. As a highly complex legal battle, Avery sought to overturn what he claimed was a wrongful conviction for murder and sexual assault. Making a Murderer, much like The Jinx, took viewers on a journey through all the accusations and provided great insight into the accused.

With so many moving parts, Making a Murderer was a thrilling look at the American legal system and its potential for coercion, attorney ineptitude, and those denied constitutional rights. When it was first released, Making a Murderer gained massive international attention and reignited interest in Steven Avery’s case. Through many twists and turns, this thrilling series conjured as many questions as posited, and viewers wildly debated who had been wronged and where the truth actually lay.

netflix making a murderer

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Making A Murderer: Key Pieces Of Evidence The Show Leaves Out

In Making a Murderer, there’s always more to the story than what meets the eye, particularly in Steven Avery’s case in this.

1 The Staircase (2004-2018)

Three parts and 13 episodes

The Staircase 2004 TV Show Poster
The Staircase (2004)

The Staircase is a documentary series directed by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, following the trial of Michael Peterson, who is accused of murdering his wife Kathleen in their Durham, North Carolina home. The series explores the investigation, trial, and aftermath of the case, offering a complex and detailed look at the American justice system.

Cast
Michael Peterson , Ron Guerette , Tom Maher , David Rudolf , Bill Peterson
Release Date
October 7, 2004
Seasons
1
Creator(s)
Jean-Xavier de Lestrade

After finishing The Jinx, those looking for another intriguing true-crime series should look no further than The Staircase. With 13 episodes released over 14 years, The Staircase told the story of crime novelist Michael Peterson, a man who passionately pleaded his innocence against accusations of murdering his wife, Kathleen. As hidden secrets from the past were revealed, the truth behind what happened on the night Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of a staircase became more complex, and as a viewer, it was very difficult to separate fact from fiction.

The case against Michael Peterson was dramatized in the 2022 HBO Max miniseries
The Staircase
, starring Colin Firth as Peterson and Toni Collette as his wife Kathleen.

From accusations that Michael bludgeoned Kathleen to death after she discovered his bisexuality and affairs with men to theories that it was an owl attack that ultimately killed Kathleen, the case explored in The Staircase led to one of the most compelling true-crime series ever made. Equally thrilling was how The Staircase tracked the legal case against Peterson and how his team put together his defense. A truly captivating series, part of the appeal of The Staircase was that it did not provide easy answers and allowed viewers to make peace with the uncertainty themselves.

Sources: The Guardian

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