Shocking TV/Movies Based on Real Life
By Juliet Smith
1 year ago
1. Hostel
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Even if you've seen Eli Roth's masterful - and totally shocking - horror film Hostel, you might not realize that it was based on a real story. Roth heard about an underground thrill-seeking practice where people pay $10,000 to murder a volunteer victim. Reportedly, many volunteer victims used the practice as a way to earn money for their families. A horrific story, but it made for a thrilling movie.2. Unbelievable
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Kaitlyn Dever leads this horrifying miniseries centring on the string of rapes that occurred in Washington and Colorado between 2008 and 2011. The first victim, Marie, reported her rape to the police but, shockingly, the police didn't believe her. She was eventually charged with making a false report.3. American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace
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Fashion designer Gianni Versace was a worldwide name, and his murder in 1997 caused global outrage. The murder was perpetrated by Andrew Cunanan, who actually killed five people in just a three-month period in spring 1997. The story is shocking, not least because Versace was shot on the front steps of his own home.4. The Salisbury Poisonings
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Anyone who was living in the UK in 2018 will probably remember the shocking Novichok poisonings in Salisbury that had everyone glued to the TV. The British BBC adapted the story for TV, resulting in a chilling three-part drama that encapsulates the fear and tragedy of the true story.5. Waco
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In 1993 in Waco, Texas, the FBI attempted to execute a search warrant on a ranch housing members of the Branch Davidians religious sect. Nobody could have predicted that a simple search warrant would have turned into a 51-day siege and subsequent deaths of all the 76 Branch Davidians. The events were turned into a chilling six-episode series in 2018.6. Des
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The British TV drama Des tells the chilling story of the real-life serial killer Dennis Nilsen. Nilsen, played by David Tennant, murdered at least 12 men and boys in the late 70s and early 80s. The drama reveals how Nilsen was finally arrested when Nilsen and his neighbours complained of a plumbing blockage, which was, in fact, caused by Nilsen flushing his victims' remains down the loo - disgusting!7. The Whistleblower
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This biographical film tackles the real-life story of Kathryn Bolkovac, who was a US police officer who ended up working for the UN. While in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the UN, she discovered a sex trafficking ring that was being facilitated by private military contractor DynCorp. The story is truly unbelievable.8. Mindhunter
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On first look, this chilling Netflix series about serial killers in the 1970s seems to be a work of fiction. That is, until you realise that real-life serial killers appear in episodes, such as Marilyn Manson, Edmund Kemper and Richard Speck. In fact, the whole show is based on John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker's book about their time in the FBI investigating violent crime.9. Appropriate Adult
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Frank and Rose West are now part of the UK public consciousness. While you might know about their shocking murders of young women, this TV drama tackled how housewife Janet Leach tackled the role of "appropriate adult" in police interviews with Fred West. These adults have to be present during interviews of vulnerable adults.10. In Plain Sight
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Ever heard of Peter Manuel? He was a serial killer who murdered seven people in Lanarkshire, Scotland, during the 1950s. Police detective William Muncie was the man to eventually find and prosecute Manuel, but not after he killed eight people in the small community.11. Rillington Place
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Serial killer John Christie is the subject of this 2016 BBC crime drama. He murdered eight people in the 1940s and 1950s, including, tragically, his own wife. The show details how the bodies of some of his victims were found in his home in Rillington Place, Notting Hill, after Christie moved out. Even more shocking is that another tenant of Rillington Place, Timothy Evans, was wrongly executed for two of Christie's murders.12. Rosewood
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In January 1923, a horrific event occurred in the small town of Rosewood, Florida. Here, at least 27 to 150 people were killed in a race riot that destroyed almost the entire town and its black community. The riot occurred after white men lynched a black man from Rosewood. The film might be hard to watch but is nonetheless a powerful record of these tragic events.13. 12 Years a Slave
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When 12 Years a Slave premiered in 2013, it immediately gathered praise and awards. However, did you know that it's based on a true story? In 1853, Solomon Northrup published his own narrative of how he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. The film charts his life and eventual escape from slavery. It's a tragic but incredible story.14. A Very English Scandal
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Starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, this comedy-drama series is a shocking account of the real-life Jeremy Thorpe scandal that rocked British politics in the 1970s. The MP and Liberal Democrat leader was accused of plotting to murder a former gay lover after he threatened to reveal the affair. In the end, he was acquitted of all charges, but the wild story destroyed his reputation.15. Changeling
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This 2008 drama film starring Angelina Jolie received BAFTA and Oscar awards when it was released, but it's worth watching for the true story alone. Jolie stars as Christine Collins, whose son went missing in 1928. It emerged that her son was murdered in the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders, a series of murders of young boys in Los Angeles.16. When They See Us
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This tragic miniseries centres on the stories of the so-called Central Park Five, five black and Latino youths who were arrested for raping and murdering a white woman in Central Park in 1989. Their arrests were heavily motivated by racial profiling, and though the youths served time in prison, it later emerged that they were all innocent of the crime.17. Auschwitz
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This might not be an award-winning film, but it certainly deserves to be on this list for its shock value alone. Describing real-life events that occurred at the Jewish concentration camp Auschwitz by the Nazis, director Uwe Boll crafts a truly chilling reflection of the atrocities.18. Boys Don't Cry
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Boy's Don't Cry was released in 1999, but represents the culmination of five years worth of work for director Kimberly Pierce. She got the idea for the film after reading an article about the real-life case of Brandon Teena, a transman who was violently murdered by two male friends after they found out about his birth identity.19. Snowtown
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Snowtown is another dark and chilling film inspired by real-life murders. In the 1990s in Adelaide, Australia, John Bunting, Robert Wagner, and James Vlassakis killed eight people and disposed of the bodies in plastic barrels. The resulting film is a violent and uncomfortable look into the mind of killers.20. Girl in the Box
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In 1977, a girl called Colleen Stan was kidnapped by Cameron and Janice Hooker while hitchhiking home in Oregon. She was kept as a sex slave in the Hookers' home for a horrifying seven years, in some cases being locked in a box under the couple's bed. Watching the film, it's hard to believe that this actually happened to a young woman - but incredibly, she survived.21. Zodiac
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Perhaps one of the most famous mystery films of all time, David Fincher's Zodiac is based on the real-life Zodiac Killer who hunted in San Francisco in the 1960s and 1970s. To this day, nobody has ever been able to unearth the identity of the Zodiac killer, making the film an uncomfortable watch.22. The Serpent
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The Serpent documents the real-life story of Charles Sobhraj, a serial killer who murdered tourists in Bangkok, Thailand. Many of these tourists were young backpackers undertaking the overland, a popular walking route for hippies. He and his girlfriend lived off selling stolen gems and used his victims' passports to travel around the world.23. The Pianist
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A harrowing but important watch, The Pianist is the story of Władysław Szpilman, a survivor of the holocaust. A gifted musician, he earned money playing in cafes in Warsaw. Tragically, his family were deported to an extermiantion camp in Poland, but Szpilman was spared the horror after someone recognised him. His entire family lose their lives at the camp.24. Gorillas in the Mist
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In this drama film, Sigourney Weaver stars as the American naturalist Dian Fossey. She spent many years working with mountain gorillas in Rwanda to support their conservation and resist poaching of the animals. However, she was murdered in 1985 - and to this day, we don't know who killed her.25. Foxcatcher
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Many viewers who saw this Oscar-nominated film in 2014 didn't realise at first that it is partly biographical. In 1986, billionaire philanthropist and sports enthusiast John du Pont recruits two gold-medal-winning wrestlers to coach US wrestlers. However, the story ends tragically when du Pont murders one of the wrestling coaches in cold blood.26. The Bling Ring
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Most of the films on this list are harrowing to say the least, but that's not necessarily the case for The Bling Ring - but it's still shocking. Sofia Coppola's satirical film documents the burglaries perpetrated by the so-called 'bling ring' in Los Angeles. They targeted celebrity homes and used the internet to track when celebrities would be away.27. Fruitvale Station
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In 2009, 22-year-old African-American Oscar Grant III was killed by a police officer on the platform of Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, California. After responding to reports of a fight on the train, police officers detained Grant and other passengers - largely through racial profiling - but thing police officer Anthony Pirone ended up shooting Grant unprovoked.28. Bully
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On July 14th 1993, Bobby Kent was murdered by seven of his acquaintances and friends. It turned out that Kent had been bullying the seven teens for years, and they mutually agreed to kill him to stop the torture. The film is considered highly disturbing - even more so when you realise it's based on real events.29. The Dropout
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Elizabeth Holmes was hailed as an incredible businesswoman when she found the biotechnology company Theranos. A few huge fraud lawsuits later, it turned out she had falsified data relating to her patents and technology. The Dropout chronicles her years at Stanford and the launch of her company, plus its shocking downfall.30. Sour Grapes
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Ever heard of wine fraud? Well, the 2016 film Sour Grapes is all about the real-life story of Indonesian wine collector Rudy Kurniawan, who sold thousands of bottles of fake wine. Essentially, he collected empty wine bottles and filled them with a cheaper product before selling them for profit. Shocking, but he got away with it for years.31. ‘Abducted: The Mary Stauffer Story’
Image Source: It'splayingwiththeresearchAbducted is based on a true story, back in 1980 a teacher from Minnesota names Mary Stauffer was captured along with Stauffer's daughter. They were kidnapped by one of her former students, Ming Sen Shue, who became obsessed with her. She held them hostage for around two months.32. Who Is Clark Rockefeller?
Image Source: YouTubeGerthartsreiter was a real life con artist who led a life of fraud and deception. He pretended to be a member of the Rockefeller family. He also kidnapped his daughter and murdered a man. The film was based on this true story and the protagonist was played by Eric McCormack.33. Abducted: The Carlina White Story
Image Source: imdBKeke Palmer played the infamous Carlina. Carlina was a woman who discovered she had been kidnapped two decades later, back in 1987. She had been taken whilst in hospital at just 21 days old and raised by her kidnappers. Once discovering she had been kidnapped she sought out her biological parents.34. Beautiful & Twisted
Image Source: YouTubeBeautiful & Twisted, was based on the real life events known as the Novack Murders. It was released in 2015 and is based upon the murder of Bernice Novack and then several months later the murder of her son. Suspicion fell upon his ex wife who wanted to acquire the family fortune.Abducted
Image Source: IMDbIn 2009 Bernice Novack was found dead in her garage. Several months later her son's body was found in a hotel room in New York. The suspicion quickly turned to Novack's estranged wife named Narcy who wanted to acquire the family fortune. The 2015 movie is based upon these events.35. Death of a Cheerleader
Image Source: IMDbDeath of a Cheerleader is based on the real tragedy of Kirsten Costas who was a high school cheerleader in a small town in California. She was murdered by a fellow classmate who was jealous of her. There have actually been two depictions of this film.36. Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story
Imagesource: The Chris Porco Story
Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story is based on the real life story of Porco who murdered his father with an axe, and also tried to kill his mother. Romeo Porco actually sued Lifetime (the movie producers) for an inaccurate portrayal which he argued misrepresented different aspects of his case.
37. A Murder to Remember
Imagesource: IMDbThis 2020 movie is played by Kevin Rodriguez and Maddie Nichols. It is based on the real life events of Julio Torres who was murdered during a camping trip, and Candra Torres who was raped by the killer of her husband. Initially Candra actually defended the murderer because of Stockholm syndrome.38. Obsessed
Imagesource: IMDbThe movie Obsessed is based on a writer who became fixated with a surgeon - she claimed to be having an affair with him. Diana Schaefer, the real woman, was convicted of harassing a surgeon in New York. She was played by the actress Jenna Elfman in 2002.39. The Girl Next Door
Imagesource: IMDb This movie is based on the real life horrific torture and murder of 16 year old Sylvia Likens. In the year of 1965 she was captured and help whilst being physically and mentally tortured. All of these terrible acts committed against her were by her caretaker, Gertrude Baniszewski, her children, and the neighborhood children. She was help for three months.
40. Come and See
Imagesource: OffscreenCome and see, released back in 1985, is a very poignant film based on Belarus and how it was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II. It is based on the real life tragedies and atrocities that the people of Belarus had to face during this time...
41. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Imagesource: YouTubeDear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father was a documentary which was made by Kurt Kuenne. It documented the murder of his childhood friend who was called Andrew Bagby. It revolves around events which involved his wife and his child in the wake of his death.
42. In A Glass Cage
Imagesource:OffscreenIn 1985 the psychological thriller movie was released. It was based on Gilles de Rais. Rais was a long standing association of Joan of Arc. He later became known for being a serial killer of children and for his involvement in satanic rituals which he used to conduct these murders.43. Men Behind the Sun
Imagesource: OffscreenMen Behind the Sun is a horror film. It was based on the horrendous acts committed during the war by the Japanese military. It depicts the horrible and unethical medical experiments that were inflicted upon the Chinese and Siberian prisoners at the end of the world.44. The Pianist
Imagesource: IMDbThe Pianist is a biographical war drama. The subject of the movie is Władysław Szpilman, a Polish Jewish pianist. It follows his life and experiences and the fact that he avoided the extermination camp that took his family due to his abilities and talents in music.45. City of God
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46. The Strangers
Imagesource: IMDbYou'll have heard of the Manson family. Well, this movie us based upon them and the murder of Sharon Tate and her friends for no apparent reason. It is about a vacation in a cabin. A couple are staying there when they are attacked by three masked strangers.47. Open Water
Imagesource: RogerebertOpen Water is a film which was based loosely around the disappearance of Eileen Lonergan and her husband Tom. In the film, a married couple are left fighting for their life in shark infested waters after the diving boat they were on leaves without them.48. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Image source: letterboxdHenry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole were real life serial killers from back in the 1960s. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer represents their disturbing story after the two of them set out on a killing rampage with absolutely no feelings of guilt or remorse.49. Compliance
Image source: IMDbCompliance is a thriller movie which follows Becky who works at a fast food chain. She is called into the manager's office because she has been told that there are suspicions that she has been stealing. The employees search her and leads to them sexually abusing her. The movie is based on a similar set of events that happened around 1992–2004..50. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Imagesource:IMDbThe Exorcism of Emily Rose is a supernatural horror film. The protagonist, Emily Rose has an exorcism and dies in the process. The film then follows Erin Bruner who is a lawyer that represents Father Richard Moore. He is on trial for the negligent homicide of Emily Rose. The film is based on Anneliese Michel, who was exorcised when she was believed to be possessed - in actual fact she had seizure condition.What To Read Next
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