If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an entertainment journalist, it’s that people can’t resist a good true-crime story. Whether it’s The Tinder Swindler, Worst Neighbor Ever, or The Crash, the genre always seems to find a way into Netflix’s coveted Top 10. The latest documentary to join the lineup? A Toxic Love Story.
So, what exactly is A Toxic Love Story about? Set in a glamorous California suburb, the documentary explores a shocking 2016 case involving a disturbing framing plot, cyberstalking, and a web of digital deception. Currently sitting at number two on Netflix’s Top 10 movies list (right behind a particularly polarizing film), A Toxic Love Story takes viewers on a wild ride filled with twists and turns.
Even PureWow’s VP of News and Entertainment was hooked, saying,“This is by far the best true-crime documentary I’ve seen in a long time (and I’ve watched a lot of 20/20 specials). I dare say the surprises are even bigger than in Unknown Number: The High School Catfish.”
“It honestly feels like this was a scripted episode of Law & Order: SVU because there are so many twists. There’s a reason I stayed up until 1 A.M. watching it,” he added.
And it’s not just Phil who was captivated. Viewers have shared similar reactions in their reviews. On IMDb, one reviewer wrote, “My jaw was pretty much on the floor with this one after the middle of the documentary onwards.” Meanwhile, another viewer on Rotten Tomatoes admitted the documentary changed their mind about the genre, writing, “Absolutely amazing documentary! Well explained, very entertaining, and a super impressive investigation. I’m usually not a true crime fan but WOW great movie!”
Beyond the shocking story itself, one standout is how the filmmakers chose to tell it. As Phil noted, they laid everything out “in the juiciest way possible.” Plus, the documentary clocks in at just 90 minutes, making it an easy binge.
“I also loved that they didn’t draw this out into multiple hour long episodes…meaning I didn’t get bored for a second,” Phil says. “And, no spoilers here, but the filmmakers skip over any trial or courtroom scenes entirely, ensuring the action remains focused on the bonkers series of events.”