Netflix true crime documentary uncovers chilling audio from Son of Sam killer who terrorised New York
David Berkowitz, better known as the notorious serial killer 'Son of Sam', terrorised New York City from 1976 - 1977, unleashing fear and anxiety that gripped the city for over a year. Now, nearly five decades later, Netflix is revisiting the infamous case in Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes, a gripping three-part docuseries.
This latest instalment in Netflix's acclaimed Conversations with a Killer series offers a fresh perspective on the case, featuring never-before-heard prison audio of Berkowitz himself, alongside archival footage and raw, first-person recollections from survivors and investigators.
Now available to stream, the docuseries follows the previous Conversations with a Killer seasons that explored the crimes of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy and Jeffery Dahmer. The mastermind behind these limited docuseries is Emmy winner and Academy Award nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger.
Speaking to Deadline, Berlinger reflected on the audience's fascination with these dark stories and the success of the Ted Bundy series, saying: "Once that first show was a hit, then it was a floodgate."
The new season turns its attention to David Berkowitz, a former American Army soldier who killed six people and wounded eleven others between 1975 and 1977 in a brutal spree of shootings and stabbings.
Originally dubbed the 44 Caliber Killer, Berkowitz began his murder rampage on July 29, 1976, when he approached 18-year-old medic-in-training Donna Lauria and her friend, 19-year-old nurse Jody Valenti, in the Bronx. Donna was killed instantly, and Jody survived with injuries.
The murder marked the beginning of a horrifying series of attacks that left New Yorkers living in fear.
As the city remained on edge, Berkowitz taunted police and the media with letters signed under the pseudonym "Son of Sam." His victims, two men and four women, ranged in age from 18 to 25.
Authorities finally captured Berkowitz in August 1977. He confessed to the murders and was sentenced to six consecutive life terms in 1978, a sentence he continues to serve today. During his trial, Berkowitz claimed that he was driven to kill by a demon-possessed dog named, belonging to his neighbour Sam.
The Netflix documentary features never heard audio interviews recorded in 1980 at Attica Correctional Facility by reporter Jack Jones, providing intimate and chilling insights into Berkowitz's mind.
Filmmaker Berlinger stated: "These rare tapes reveal unnerving insights into his psyche, shedding light on the intricate details of the case and the pervasive fear that gripped the city."
"Through these tapes, we hope to not only revisit history, but to bring clarity and depth to a narrative that has long intrigued and unsettled the public," he concluded.
The documentary has 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and viewers have taken to X, formally known as Twitter to discuss the show.
One viewer hailed it one of the best, writing: "Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes may be one of their best true crime docuseries."
While another said: "The Son of Sam tapes on Netflix was done very well." Additionally, another viewer recommended the docuseries, stating: "Watching the Son Of Sam tapes on Netflix, you guy need to watch this its crazy. The documentary is also wild too"
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