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True Story

Horror films based on true events — the real cases behind the movies and how much they got right.

374 stories
New Clip For Episode 4 Of "Black Bird" Asks "What's Her Name?"

New Clip For Episode 4 Of “Black Bird” Asks “What’s Her Name?”

Ahead of episode four premiering this Friday, July 22, Apple TV+ has shared a sneak peek clip from “Black Bird,” the new, six-episode psychological thriller inspired by actual events. From Dennis Lehane comes the new six-episode series starring Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, and Ray Liotta. In episode four, “What’s Her Name,” “in the aftermath of a prison riot, Jimmy and Larry find themselves with time to learn more about each other.” “Inspired by actual events, when high school football hero and decorated policeman’s son Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum security prison, he is given the choice of a lifetime — enter a maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), or stay where he is and serve his full sentence with no possibility of parole. Keene quickly realizes his only way out is to elicit a confession and find out

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 19, 2022
Thriller 'Rogue Agent', Based On A True Story, Is Out This August (Trailer)

Thriller ‘Rogue Agent’, Based On A True Story, Is Out This August (Trailer)

From directors, Declan Lawn, who spent 10 years as an investigative reporter for BBC, and Photo Journalist Adam Patterson, comes a twisted tale of murder and deceit, Rogue Agent, starring James Norton (“Happy Valley,” Little Women) and Gemma Arterton (The Girl With All the Gifts, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters). Rogue Agent, based on a true story, “is the extraordinary and chilling story of career conman, Robert Freegard played by James Norton, with Gemma Arterton as Alice Archer, the woman who brought him down. Freegard was a master manipulator who convinced countless victims he was undercover MI5 to extort and kidnap them. He was at large for many years until he met the woman who would end his career. Initially falling for his charms, she became the architect of his downfall, and her actions led to his conviction and arrest. A tale of lies, loyalty, fear, and hope, this film will follow years of manipulation, investigation, and the high-stakes manhunt

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 16, 2022
Six Part True Crime Docuseries "The Anarchists" Premieres On HBO This July

Six Part True Crime Docuseries “The Anarchists” Premieres On HBO This July

The HBO Original documentary series “The Anarchists,” a six-part docuseries directed by Todd Schramke and produced by Blumhouse Television premieres this Sunday, July 10 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) with new episodes airing subsequent Sundays at the same time on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Unfolding over six years, “The Anarchists” chronicles a strange and deadly series of events. What begins as an impulsive one-off gathering, turns into a full-on, annual event, growing in size and attracting sponsorship from crypto-currency companies featuring speakers such as Ron Paul and BitCoin investor Roger Ver. And when rule-avoidant freedom activists come together in one of the most dangerous cities in the world, utopian ideology collides with the unpredictability of human nature. Relationships are fractured, rivalries are forged and ultimately, lives are lost. In 2015, Jeff Berwick, a Canadian entrepreneur turned provocateur, launched a conference in Acapulco, Mexico in hopes of promoting anarchy in its purest form – an ideal espousing

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 7, 2022
New Clip From True Story Inspired Film 'Thirteen Lives' Comes To The Rescue

Dive Into The Trailer For Ron Howards’ True Story Inspired Survival Thriller ‘Thirteen Lives’

From the brilliant Academy Award-winning director, Ron Howard comes Thirteen Lives which recounts the incredible true story of the rescue of a Thai soccer team trapped in a cave during a rainstorm in 2018. Which drew worldwide coverage. Faced with insurmountable odds, a team of the world’s most skilled and experienced divers – uniquely able to navigate the maze of flooded, narrow cave tunnels – join with Thai forces and more than 10,000 volunteers to attempt a harrowing rescue of the twelve boys and their coach. With impossibly high stakes and the entire world watching, the group embarks on their most challenging dive yet, showcasing the limitlessness of the human spirit in the process. Written by William Nicholson, based on a story by Nicholson and Don Macpherson, the film features an all-star cast that includes Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton, Tom Bateman, Paul Gleeson, Pattrakorn Tungsupakul, Tui Thiraphat Sajakul, James Teeradon Supapunpinyo, Sahajak Boonthanakit, and Weir Sukollawat Kanaros. P.J.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 29, 2022
True Crime Documentary 'Lovely Jackson' Premiering At Justice Film Festival

A Lie Leads To A Wrongful Conviction In New Clip From True Crime Doc ‘Lovely Jackson’

Is there anything worse than being punished for a crime you didn’t commit? Today, we have a new clip from Zodiac Features’ new biographical true crime docu-thriller, Lovely Jackson, the feature directorial debut from filmmaker Matt Waldeck, p.g.a. (“I See You”) ahead of its world premiere at the iconic American Black Film Festival on June 17th. Lovely Jackson is a boldly cinematic epic journey that begins in tragedy, hopelessness, injustice, and death but ends in triumph, beauty, and new life. Focused on America’s longest wrongfully held exonerated prisoner, Rickey Jackson, returns to the actual prison where his 39-year journey of survival began in 1976 and guides his younger self from death row to freedom while facing his real-life accusers along the way, along with critical assistance from The Ohio Innocence Project. Lovely Jackson is a shocking and moving true story about perseverance through the darkest and most hopeless of circumstances that begins in violence and ends with love. This documentary

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 4, 2022
Peacock Announces Debut Of New True Crime Series "Dateline: The Last Day" (Trailer)

Peacock Announces Debut Of New True Crime Series “Dateline: The Last Day” (Trailer)

Peacock is gearing up to deliver heartbreaking stories and mysteries in the new true series, “Dateline: The Last Day,” which examines the final hours of victims’ lives leading up to their deaths, Deadline reports. The eight-episode series will feature reports from the Deadline time that have never before been featured during broadcasts. NBC News correspondents Keith Morrison, Josh Mankiewicz, Stephanie Gosk, and Andrea Canning will “examine the final day of a victim’s life – the split-second decisions and pivotal moments that made the difference between life and death. Detectives retrace those crucial hours looking for clues to solve the mystery.” When it comes to crime, Dateline has long been telling those stories and captivating viewers longer than anyone else,” said Rod Aissa, EVP Unscripted Content, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming. “We are thrilled to have the first original series from this iconic brand on Peacock and bring even more of these stories to our streaming audience.” “Dateline: The Last Day” premieres

Continue reading →
Ella Rebecca Horton
May 1, 2022
"Empire" Star Joins Netflix's Possession Film Based On The True Story

“Empire” Star Joins Netflix’s Possession Film Based On The True Story

“Empire” star Tasha Smith is reuniting with director Lee Daniels for his new, currently untitled exorcism thriller, coming to Netflix Deadline reports. There was reportedly a massive bidding war for the star-studded exorcism movie that will also reunite Daniels with Oscar-nominated The United States Vs Billie Holiday star Andra Day, who stars alongside Smith, Octavia Spencer (The Shape of Water, Ma), Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction), Caleb McLaughlin (“Stranger Things”), Rob Morgan (Don’t Look Up), and Aunjanue Ellis (Men of Honor). “Andra Day will play the mother of an Indiana family whose children became demonically possessed in the film inspired by true events. “In a true case, “Latoya Ammons and her three children experienced strange incidents in their Gary, Indiana home that grew progressively worse, with the children levitating, becoming violent with each other, and speaking in growls and deep voices with no recollection afterward. Skeptics abounded, but the Gary Police Department, Department of Child Services, and the local church and

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 16, 2022
Hulu Announces True Crime Docuseries "Captive Audience" (Trailer)

Hulu Announces True Crime Docuseries “Captive Audience” (Trailer)

Hulu’s new true-crime series “Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story” delves into the strange story surrounding Steven Stayner and his family, in three episodes. This is the story of how a story gets told, and how the media’s magnifying glass impacts the characters caught in the narrative. Siblings Ashley and Steven Stayner Jr. never knew their famous father Steven, the child victim of a shocking California kidnapping, who tragically died in an accident when they were young. In 1972, seven-year-old Steven went to school – and never came home. His mother Kay struggles to keep the media interested in the case and to hold her family together. Then, after seven years, a miracle: Steven returns. The media can’t get enough of the story and frantically descend on the Stayner home – but this isn’t the Hollywood ending it appears to be. Now fourteen years old, Steven struggles to adapt, and his family grapples with life under the media microscope.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 7, 2022
New Trailer Gives Us Our First Look At HBO Max's True Crime Series "The Staircase"

New Trailer Gives Us Our First Look At HBO Max’s True Crime Series “The Staircase”

HBO Max is delving into the true-crime death of Kathleen Peterson in their new series “The Staircase” whose first teaser trailer has arrived giving us a look at what appears as an ideal family, but looks can be deceiving. Starring Toni Collette (Hereditary) and Colin Firth (Kingsman: The Golden Circle), the series examines the true story of novelist Michael Peterson who was accused of killing his wife in December of 2001, a story that captivated the world. Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohen (“American Crime Story”) serve as showrunners for the series that features three timelines, the days leading up to Kathleen’s death, the direct aftermath, and the present day. “The Staircase” also stars Rosemarie DeWitt as Kathleen’s grieving sister Candace, Parker Posey as prosecutor Freda, the Peterson children are played by Sophie Turner, Dane DeHaan, and Odessa Young. Joel McKinnon Miller also stars. On December 9th, 2001 in Durham, North Carolina, Kathleen Peterson’s life was ended. According to the 911

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 1, 2022
True Crime Inspired Series "Black Bird" Lands On Apple TV+ This Week

First Look & Premiere Date For Apple TV+’s New True Crime Inspired Series “Black Bird”

Today, Apple unveiled a first look and the premiere date for “Black Bird,” a gritty, suspenseful six-episode psychological thriller developed and executive produced by Dennis Lehane. Set to premiere globally with the first two episodes on Friday, July 8, 2022, on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday. The series is adapted from the true-crime memoir “In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption” by James Keene and Hillel Levin, based on Keene’s own experiences. Inspired by actual events, centers on a high school football hero, decorated policeman’s son, and convicted drug dealer Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) who is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum-security prison. He is given the choice of a lifetime — enter a maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), or stay where he is and serve his full sentence with no possibility of parole.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Mar 31, 2022

More from True Story

New Clip For Episode 4 Of "Black Bird" Asks "What's Her Name?"

New Clip For Episode 4 Of “Black Bird” Asks “What’s Her Name?”

Ahead of episode four premiering this Friday, July 22, Apple TV+ has shared a sneak peek clip from “Black Bird,” the new, six-episode psychological thriller inspired by actual events. From Dennis Lehane comes the new six-episode series starring Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, and Ray Liotta. In episode four, “What’s Her Name,” “in the aftermath of a prison riot, Jimmy and Larry find themselves with time to learn more about each other.” “Inspired by actual events, when high school football hero and decorated policeman’s son Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum security prison, he is given the choice of a lifetime — enter a maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), or stay where he is and serve his full sentence with no possibility of parole. Keene quickly realizes his only way out is to elicit a confession and find out

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 19, 2022
Thriller 'Rogue Agent', Based On A True Story, Is Out This August (Trailer)

Thriller ‘Rogue Agent’, Based On A True Story, Is Out This August (Trailer)

From directors, Declan Lawn, who spent 10 years as an investigative reporter for BBC, and Photo Journalist Adam Patterson, comes a twisted tale of murder and deceit, Rogue Agent, starring James Norton (“Happy Valley,” Little Women) and Gemma Arterton (The Girl With All the Gifts, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters). Rogue Agent, based on a true story, “is the extraordinary and chilling story of career conman, Robert Freegard played by James Norton, with Gemma Arterton as Alice Archer, the woman who brought him down. Freegard was a master manipulator who convinced countless victims he was undercover MI5 to extort and kidnap them. He was at large for many years until he met the woman who would end his career. Initially falling for his charms, she became the architect of his downfall, and her actions led to his conviction and arrest. A tale of lies, loyalty, fear, and hope, this film will follow years of manipulation, investigation, and the high-stakes manhunt

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 16, 2022
Six Part True Crime Docuseries "The Anarchists" Premieres On HBO This July

Six Part True Crime Docuseries “The Anarchists” Premieres On HBO This July

The HBO Original documentary series “The Anarchists,” a six-part docuseries directed by Todd Schramke and produced by Blumhouse Television premieres this Sunday, July 10 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) with new episodes airing subsequent Sundays at the same time on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Unfolding over six years, “The Anarchists” chronicles a strange and deadly series of events. What begins as an impulsive one-off gathering, turns into a full-on, annual event, growing in size and attracting sponsorship from crypto-currency companies featuring speakers such as Ron Paul and BitCoin investor Roger Ver. And when rule-avoidant freedom activists come together in one of the most dangerous cities in the world, utopian ideology collides with the unpredictability of human nature. Relationships are fractured, rivalries are forged and ultimately, lives are lost. In 2015, Jeff Berwick, a Canadian entrepreneur turned provocateur, launched a conference in Acapulco, Mexico in hopes of promoting anarchy in its purest form – an ideal espousing

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 7, 2022
New Clip From True Story Inspired Film 'Thirteen Lives' Comes To The Rescue

Dive Into The Trailer For Ron Howards’ True Story Inspired Survival Thriller ‘Thirteen Lives’

From the brilliant Academy Award-winning director, Ron Howard comes Thirteen Lives which recounts the incredible true story of the rescue of a Thai soccer team trapped in a cave during a rainstorm in 2018. Which drew worldwide coverage. Faced with insurmountable odds, a team of the world’s most skilled and experienced divers – uniquely able to navigate the maze of flooded, narrow cave tunnels – join with Thai forces and more than 10,000 volunteers to attempt a harrowing rescue of the twelve boys and their coach. With impossibly high stakes and the entire world watching, the group embarks on their most challenging dive yet, showcasing the limitlessness of the human spirit in the process. Written by William Nicholson, based on a story by Nicholson and Don Macpherson, the film features an all-star cast that includes Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton, Tom Bateman, Paul Gleeson, Pattrakorn Tungsupakul, Tui Thiraphat Sajakul, James Teeradon Supapunpinyo, Sahajak Boonthanakit, and Weir Sukollawat Kanaros. P.J.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 29, 2022
True Crime Documentary 'Lovely Jackson' Premiering At Justice Film Festival

A Lie Leads To A Wrongful Conviction In New Clip From True Crime Doc ‘Lovely Jackson’

Is there anything worse than being punished for a crime you didn’t commit? Today, we have a new clip from Zodiac Features’ new biographical true crime docu-thriller, Lovely Jackson, the feature directorial debut from filmmaker Matt Waldeck, p.g.a. (“I See You”) ahead of its world premiere at the iconic American Black Film Festival on June 17th. Lovely Jackson is a boldly cinematic epic journey that begins in tragedy, hopelessness, injustice, and death but ends in triumph, beauty, and new life. Focused on America’s longest wrongfully held exonerated prisoner, Rickey Jackson, returns to the actual prison where his 39-year journey of survival began in 1976 and guides his younger self from death row to freedom while facing his real-life accusers along the way, along with critical assistance from The Ohio Innocence Project. Lovely Jackson is a shocking and moving true story about perseverance through the darkest and most hopeless of circumstances that begins in violence and ends with love. This documentary

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 4, 2022
Peacock Announces Debut Of New True Crime Series "Dateline: The Last Day" (Trailer)

Peacock Announces Debut Of New True Crime Series “Dateline: The Last Day” (Trailer)

Peacock is gearing up to deliver heartbreaking stories and mysteries in the new true series, “Dateline: The Last Day,” which examines the final hours of victims’ lives leading up to their deaths, Deadline reports. The eight-episode series will feature reports from the Deadline time that have never before been featured during broadcasts. NBC News correspondents Keith Morrison, Josh Mankiewicz, Stephanie Gosk, and Andrea Canning will “examine the final day of a victim’s life – the split-second decisions and pivotal moments that made the difference between life and death. Detectives retrace those crucial hours looking for clues to solve the mystery.” When it comes to crime, Dateline has long been telling those stories and captivating viewers longer than anyone else,” said Rod Aissa, EVP Unscripted Content, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming. “We are thrilled to have the first original series from this iconic brand on Peacock and bring even more of these stories to our streaming audience.” “Dateline: The Last Day” premieres

Continue reading →
Ella Rebecca Horton
May 1, 2022
"Empire" Star Joins Netflix's Possession Film Based On The True Story

“Empire” Star Joins Netflix’s Possession Film Based On The True Story

“Empire” star Tasha Smith is reuniting with director Lee Daniels for his new, currently untitled exorcism thriller, coming to Netflix Deadline reports. There was reportedly a massive bidding war for the star-studded exorcism movie that will also reunite Daniels with Oscar-nominated The United States Vs Billie Holiday star Andra Day, who stars alongside Smith, Octavia Spencer (The Shape of Water, Ma), Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction), Caleb McLaughlin (“Stranger Things”), Rob Morgan (Don’t Look Up), and Aunjanue Ellis (Men of Honor). “Andra Day will play the mother of an Indiana family whose children became demonically possessed in the film inspired by true events. “In a true case, “Latoya Ammons and her three children experienced strange incidents in their Gary, Indiana home that grew progressively worse, with the children levitating, becoming violent with each other, and speaking in growls and deep voices with no recollection afterward. Skeptics abounded, but the Gary Police Department, Department of Child Services, and the local church and

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 16, 2022
Hulu Announces True Crime Docuseries "Captive Audience" (Trailer)

Hulu Announces True Crime Docuseries “Captive Audience” (Trailer)

Hulu’s new true-crime series “Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story” delves into the strange story surrounding Steven Stayner and his family, in three episodes. This is the story of how a story gets told, and how the media’s magnifying glass impacts the characters caught in the narrative. Siblings Ashley and Steven Stayner Jr. never knew their famous father Steven, the child victim of a shocking California kidnapping, who tragically died in an accident when they were young. In 1972, seven-year-old Steven went to school – and never came home. His mother Kay struggles to keep the media interested in the case and to hold her family together. Then, after seven years, a miracle: Steven returns. The media can’t get enough of the story and frantically descend on the Stayner home – but this isn’t the Hollywood ending it appears to be. Now fourteen years old, Steven struggles to adapt, and his family grapples with life under the media microscope.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 7, 2022
New Trailer Gives Us Our First Look At HBO Max's True Crime Series "The Staircase"

New Trailer Gives Us Our First Look At HBO Max’s True Crime Series “The Staircase”

HBO Max is delving into the true-crime death of Kathleen Peterson in their new series “The Staircase” whose first teaser trailer has arrived giving us a look at what appears as an ideal family, but looks can be deceiving. Starring Toni Collette (Hereditary) and Colin Firth (Kingsman: The Golden Circle), the series examines the true story of novelist Michael Peterson who was accused of killing his wife in December of 2001, a story that captivated the world. Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohen (“American Crime Story”) serve as showrunners for the series that features three timelines, the days leading up to Kathleen’s death, the direct aftermath, and the present day. “The Staircase” also stars Rosemarie DeWitt as Kathleen’s grieving sister Candace, Parker Posey as prosecutor Freda, the Peterson children are played by Sophie Turner, Dane DeHaan, and Odessa Young. Joel McKinnon Miller also stars. On December 9th, 2001 in Durham, North Carolina, Kathleen Peterson’s life was ended. According to the 911

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 1, 2022
True Crime Inspired Series "Black Bird" Lands On Apple TV+ This Week

First Look & Premiere Date For Apple TV+’s New True Crime Inspired Series “Black Bird”

Today, Apple unveiled a first look and the premiere date for “Black Bird,” a gritty, suspenseful six-episode psychological thriller developed and executive produced by Dennis Lehane. Set to premiere globally with the first two episodes on Friday, July 8, 2022, on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday. The series is adapted from the true-crime memoir “In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption” by James Keene and Hillel Levin, based on Keene’s own experiences. Inspired by actual events, centers on a high school football hero, decorated policeman’s son, and convicted drug dealer Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) who is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum-security prison. He is given the choice of a lifetime — enter a maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), or stay where he is and serve his full sentence with no possibility of parole.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Mar 31, 2022
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