Netflix has another true crime sensation on its hands. The streaming giant's latest documentary, The Crash, has roared onto the scene with a staggering 12 million views in just its first week of release. The film, which revisits the tragic and mysterious case of Ohio teenager Mackenzie Shirilla, has quickly become a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Directed by Gareth Johnson, who previously helmed the gripping three-part docuseries The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman for Netflix, The Crash dives deep into the events of a July 2022 incident. Shirilla, then 17, drove her car into a brick building at nearly 100 mph, killing her boyfriend Dominic Russo and his friend Davion Flanagan. What initially appeared to be a horrific accident soon unraveled into something far more sinister, as investigators uncovered evidence suggesting the crash was intentional.
The documentary's debut has been nothing short of explosive. It landed at the number three spot on Netflix's English-language list, trailing only the animated blockbuster Swapped and the feel-good dramedy Remarkably Bright Creatures. But perhaps more impressive is how it outperformed Netflix's hit survival thriller Apex, which added 10 million views in its fourth week and has amassed over 100 million views total. The Crash nearly matched that weekly figure right out of the gate.
Critics have been quick to praise the film. While it doesn't yet have an official Rotten Tomatoes score, early reviews are overwhelmingly positive. One critic called it a "must-watch for true-crime fans," while another described it as "a call to action to look at your own screen and ask yourself: if my life were stripped down to my highlights." Only one of the seven reviews listed so far is negative, signaling strong word-of-mouth potential.
The success of The Crash comes alongside another true-crime hit for Netflix: the British series Should I Marry a Murderer?, which has spent three weeks on the English-language series list and accumulated 20 million views. That show follows a Scottish woman whose fiancé confesses to running over a cyclist and burying the body in the Highlands, leaving her in emotional agony as she gathers evidence against him.
For fans of gripping, real-life mysteries, The Crash is a compelling addition to Netflix's true crime library. It joins a growing roster of documentaries that explore the darkest corners of human behavior. If you're looking for more edge-of-your-seat content, check out Nemesis, which blends the intensity of Heat and The Wire into a must-binge crime thriller.
With its powerful storytelling and shocking revelations, The Crash is proof that Netflix's true crime formula continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Whether you're a longtime fan of the genre or just dipping your toes in, this documentary is one you won't want to miss.
