The 7 Best Docuseries You Can Watch Right Now

How many hours of your life do you think you have spent trying to decide what to watch? Actually, you know what—don’t think about it. Those long, tedious nights of aimless scrolling are behind you now. Ahead of you is hours-upon-hours of smooth streaming courtesy of these incredible documentary series that you can binge-watch right now. 

The Alcàsser Murders

Directed by Ramón Campos and Elías León Siminiani, The Alcàsser Murders is the first original Netflix documentary in Spanish. Over five gripping episodes, the series examines the triple-murder of three teenage girls, Miriam García, Toñi Gómez and Desirée Hernández. Abducted from the small Valencian village of Alcàsser, the girls and their families became tabloid fodder in one of the most publicised and sensationalised cases in Spanish history. For fans of dark, true crime docs like Making A Murderer and The Staircase.

I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth Vs. Michelle Carter 

Speaking of dark and twisted tales, HBO’s two-part documentary, I Love You, Now Die is about as wicked as they come. Released this month on Foxtel, the docuseries tells the story of 17-year-old Michelle Carter, who sent text messages to her suicidal boyfriend, Conrad Roy, encouraging him to take his life. It’s an incredibly complex story, and director Erin Lee Carr leaves no stone unturned as she explores how mental illness, ethics, and social media played a role in the tragedy.

Last Chance U

If you haven’t heard of Last Chance U before, I’m jealous, because that means you have four seasons worth of incredible television ahead of you. The Netflix docuseries follows American college football teams in small towns that offer mostly disadvantage kids a final shot at the big leagues. Not a football fan? You don’t need to be (like, at all). The resilience and determination of some of these kids and their mentors is what inspires you to keep watching. If you’re a fan of Friday Night Lights (and honestly, who isn’t?), you’ll love Last Chance U. 

The Up Series

For something completely different, how about nine episodes filmed over 56 years documenting the lives of 14 kids since they were seven? Sounds like a crazy idea that would never work, but somehow it totally does. Each new installment picks up seven years from the last, encompassing not just the changes in the subject’s lives, but also the social and political events around them. It’s like nothing you’ve probably ever seen before, and the ninth episode just dropped last month on SBS, so get comfy.

Dirty Money

Who doesn’t love watching the bad guys lose? Netflix’s Dirty Money delves deep into the greedy world of white-collar crime over six gasp-worthy episodes. Each hour-long installment explores a different corruption scandal, introducing you to some of the world’s most morally bankrupt businessmen. Season 2 is supposedly dropping later this year, so now’s the time to get up to date before things ramp up around the water cooler again. If you liked The Big Short, you’ll be hooked.  

Formula 1: Drive to Survive

Okay, hold on, just hear me out for a second. Before you accuse me of really misreading the audience, let me preface this recommendation by stating that I have zero interest in cars. I’ve never watched a Formula 1 race in my life, but I’ve definitely changed the channel on one. Still, I’m not ashamed to admit that I watched six episodes straight of Netflix’s Drive to Survive docuseries. The behind the scenes insight into a sport that is completely foreign to most of us is truly intriguing, and the fearlessness of the drivers totally leaves you in awe. 

States of Undress 

If you love fashion but care about the political and social issues that surround the fashion industry, Viceland’s States of Undress is tailor-made for you. Hosted by the effortlessly stylish Hailey Gates, each episode tackles a different issue pertaining to gender, race, and equality. You can currently stream the first two seasons on SBS, then join the rest of us pining for news of a season 3.

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