Explore true crime tales at SBS On Demand

Go behind the headlines with a collection devoted to notorious crimes, and those who pursue the culprits. Now streaming at SBS On Demand.

True Crime SBS On Demand

(L-R) Gloriavale, House of Maxwell, The Walk-In, The Investigation Source: SBS

Gloriavale: New Zealand's Secret Cult

An observational documentary examining the widespread abuse inside the infamous Gloriavale Christian Community cult and the institutional failures that have allowed it to continue. With unprecedented access to the notoriously secretive community, the filmmakers follow a lone family as they mount a ground-breaking legal case against the cult's powerful leaders.

 Long associated with allegations of sexual and physical abuse, human rights violations and fraud, the true extent of Gloriavale's crimes and the cruelty of its leaders is exposed as the Ready family risk losing their home, their community and those they love for a chance to bring positive change to Gloriavale.

Gloriavale: New Zealand's Secret Cult is now streaming at SBS On Demand. 

House of Maxwell

UK media mogul Robert Maxwell and his family are forever linked with scandal. This comprehensive yet concise BBC documentary spans five decades, exploring the exponential rise and dramatic downfall of the Maxwell dynasty. Covering such scandals as mysterious deaths and criminal trials, up to the recent conviction of sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, the three-parter tells the staggering story of this notorious family, and reflects on society’s shifting attitudes to money, sex and power. 

All episodes of House of Maxwell are now streaming .

The Walk-In

Based on a true story,  Philomena writer Jeff Pope’s drama about “reformed neo-Nazi Matthew Collins’ efforts to infiltrate and derail one of the UK’s most threatening far-right groups… one of the best investments you can make”. As the Brexit vote looms, tensions are running high across Britain’s political landscape. Stephen Graham plays Collins –  – who now heads advocacy group, Hope Not Hate. When a right-wing fanatic murders MP Jo Cox (Bryony Corrigan) in the street (), Collins springs into action to thwart extremist group National Action’s plan – to escalate a terrifying situation into a full-blown race war.

The Walk-In all episodes now streaming at .

The Investigation

How does a show about a real-life crime that's already been solved become gripping TV? By doing what it does outstandingly well. When Variety  the series earlier this year, it called The Investigation "2021's first great TV drama", praising the cast and the sensitive handling of a tragedy. The Investigation follows the long, determined and complex hunt for the killer of Swedish journalist Kim Wall, murdered while on assignment to interview a Danish entrepreneur. It is the investigation itself, not the murderer (his name is never mentioned), that's the focus here.
The Investigation is now streaming at .

Pray, Obey, Kill

This true crime series follows the Knutby murder, which shook Sweden in January 2004. A woman confessed to the murder, claiming her acts were directed by text messages from God. The sect to which she belonged was only closed last year. Journalists Anton and Martin investigate the grisly details. With some members of the sect only convicted for abuse this year, was the 2004 murder just the tip of the iceberg?
Pray, Obey, Kill is now streaming .

Devilsdorp

An exposé of the 11 killings that took place in Krugersdorp, West Rand, South Africa between 2012 and 2016 by the group Electus per Deus (Chosen by God), this four-part true-crime documentary unpacks the whole series of incredibly disturbing events. It’s understood the group were motivated by . The doco features exclusive interviews with the lead detective, prosecutor, parents of ringleaders, and a woman who was at the centre of the first spate of murders. There is also exclusive footage of the nights of devilry and crime scene images. True crime devotees, pop this one on your to-watch list.
Devilsdorp is now streaming .

Scandinavian Star

Over 30 years ago, 159 people died in a fire onboard the cruise ship Scandinavian Star. Even though arson was the cause, investigators have given up trying to find the culprit. Why did the case go so wrong? The authorities’ resignation is not good enough for survivors and relatives of those who perished. In this six-part documentary series, they pursue the many clues and new witnesses of Scandinavia’s biggest unsolved murder mystery in recent times. Contains English, Danish, Norwegian, Filipino and Portuguese languages.

Scandinavian Star is now streaming .

Stolen: Catching the Art Thieves

The first-hand stories of Europe's most daring art heists including, the theft of world famous The Scream exposes a criminal underworld and brutal murder, a cat and mouse hunt across Europe to find two stolen Turners on loan from London and a stolen Rembrandt self-portrait sparks a hunt from Europe to the hills of Hollywood.

Stolen: Catching the Art Thieves is now streaming .

The Devil You Know

In this true crime docu-series, journalist Chad Nance races to learn the truth when human remains are found in the North Carolina home of self-proclaimed Satanist Pazuzu Algarad.
The Devil You Know seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream

Inspector Rojas: In Cold Blood

Based on a real-life police investigation that took place in Chile this series follows the disappearance of 12 young girls from the commune of Alto Hospicio, in the north of the South American country, triggering an investigation by a police captain to solve the mystery of their whereabouts,
Inspector Rojas: In Cold Blood is available to stream

Cold Justice

Seventeen-year-old Gomeroi teenager Stephen Smith was the most popular boy in school with the world at his feet before it was cruelly snatched away. The teen was found dead on train tracks outside the north western NSW town of Quirindi in 1988 after attending a party. Despite his family being told by police during the initial investigation to "get over it", they have always maintained he was murdered; now Cold Justice finds information to support their concerns. 

Cold Justice is available to stream


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6 min read
Published 31 January 2020 1:45pm
Updated 15 February 2023 1:21pm
By SBS Guide
Source: SBS

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