X
- 2021
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2021
- TV-MA
- Netflix
Summary Joshua Zeman directs the documentary series narrated by Paul Giamatti that looks into Son of Sam serial killer David Berkowitz and journalist Maury Terry's theory that a cult was actually involved in the killings.
- 2021
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2021
- TV-MA
- Netflix
The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness
Season 1 Premiere: May 5, 2021
58
5.9
Where to Watch
Summary Joshua Zeman directs the documentary series narrated by Paul Giamatti that looks into Son of Sam serial killer David Berkowitz and journalist Maury Terry's theory that a cult was actually involved in the killings.
Where to Watch
All Seasons
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 Critic Reviews
58
50% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
17% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 Critic Reviews
58
50% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
17% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
The Sons of Sam presents Terry’s suppositions in exhaustive detail, in order to both highlight their validity and reveal their flaws. Over the course of four well-constructed episodes, it’s the latter that eventually become too legion to easily dismiss. ... An illuminating—and sad—portrait of calamitous obsession.
By the time “The Sons of Sam” reaches its conclusion, we’re left with more questions than answers about whether Berkowitz acted alone — and we’re left shaken by another tragedy: the troubled life and sad death of one Maury Terry, an outsider journalist who became obsessed with the Berkowitz case.
While we were annoyed at the first episode of The Sons Of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness, we’re looking forward to digging into what Terry found and how the investigation affected him.
“Sons” has a grimy aesthetic that never feels too flashy or overproduced; this alone helps it stand apart from most true crime entertainment. But Zeman makes the mistake of accompanying Terry down his rabbit hole and thereby giving his ideas the veneer of truth. ... It vouches for him by focusing on his words, without telling us very much about him. That’s an occasionally interesting story, full of chilling possibility. But it also misses the dark forest for the trees.
“The Sons of Sam” is so overlong as to begin to poison the viewer against what is meant to be a sympathetic subject. The recapitulation of the Son of Sam’s deeds is punishing, and what comes after often has the sketchy quality of unfinished notes.
The most frustrating thing about “Sons of Sam” is that the real story of what happened to Maury Terry is constantly overshadowed by the sensational “What If” presentation.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 8 User Ratings
5.9
50% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
13% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
38% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 8 User Ratings
5.9
50% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
13% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
38% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company:
- RadicalMedia
- Outpost Digital
- Elastic
- Gigantic Studios
Initial Release Date: May 5, 2021
Number of seasons: 1 Season
Rating: TV-MA
Genres:
Awards
Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards
• 1 Nomination