REMEMBERING AMERICA’S MOST ICONIC SERIAL KILLER

Everyone has heard the name, they know his crimes – and yet our media continue to popularize his story.

“Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes” is Netflix’s latest attempt to capitalize on the growing interest in true crime TV, which it helped propel with its release of “Making A Murderer,” back in 2015.

Created by Director Joe Berlinger, the four-part documentary series is built around archival interviews recorded by Bundy, made during his time on death row.

The series attempts to paint a picture of the man behind the crimes, exploring his early life and adulthood, his murders, his eventual arrest and finally, his execution in 1989.

 It’s less of an examination behind the reasons for his abominable crimes or the thought process of serial murderers, though. Rather, it’s more of a glorified wikipedia article.

That is not to say that the docu-series isn’t worth a watch, if you’re already a fan of true crime media. For the most part, it remains intriguing, giving a little more depth to the monster who murdered over 30 women, as well as exploring the total ineptitude of the police force that let Bundy escape not once, but twice, during his incarceration.

Whatever your opinion may be on the representation of serial killers by the media, one thing is undeniable: Bundy’s story is interesting.

While the point of this docuseries is to give his self-narrated perspective on his crimes and life, its major flaw is allowing him this opportunity to have his story told, without giving proper time for the consideration of his many victims.

One can only imagine that this series would serve more as an ego boost to Bundy if he were still alive, than a candid examination of a true monster. So much time is spent discussing general facts and laying out the basic plot points in his life, yet nothing of real substance is said and no discussion is really had.

Still, the tale of this iconic American serial killer has so many twists and turns and juicy details that feed into our natural desire to witness drama, it’s hard not to recommend “The Ted Bundy Tapes” on principle, if that sort of thing piques your interests and you’re not already familiar with the subject.

But, truthfully, there is nothing particularly spectacular about this series, aside from the rock-solid production behind this project. It unfortunately falls short of Netflix’s other, more popular true crime shows, such as Making A Murderer. 3/5.