Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Evil Genius’ On Netflix, Your New True Crime Obsession

Netflix‘s Evil Genius continues the streaming giant’s habit of shining a light on little-known true crime cases. If you’ve been looking for your latest fix after blazing through Wild Wild Country, you’re going to be thrilled with the Duplass brothers’ latest endeavor. Directed by Barbara Schroeder, the four-part docuseries chronicles the infamous Pizza Bomber Heist – and reveals shocking new discoveries in the process. 

EVIL GENIUS: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

Opening Shot: We begin with grainy home video of a woman named Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong as the narrator tells us there are three things we need to know about her. This alone is enough to pique our interest about what’s to come. Who is she? And what do we need to know about her?

The Gist: Evil Genius tells the story of the aforementioned Pizza Bomber Heist, the 2003 incident that saw pizza delivery man Brian Wells rob a bank with an explosive collar around his neck and die after it detonated just minutes after. The bizarre Erie, Pennsylvania case befuddled investigators far and wide, and for a while, they were unable to find any real leads in the case – until they were brought (quite literally) to Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s front door thanks to a 911 call. Nothing is quite as it seems on this docuseries; just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, the bonkers case throws you another curve ball. On top of the crazy murder and heist, there’s a scavenger hunt, bizarre, long-winded letters, and more. It almost seems stranger than fiction.

Our Take: While Evil Genius could be just another rehashing of a case like so many of the true crime series we see nowadays, it sets itself apart with its never-before-seen evidence, footage, and unprecedented access to key figures from the case. FBI agents, police officers, investigators, journalists, and more involved all weigh in with their own recollections of the case – and reveal some shocking things in the process. The unique way the series begins and the breathtaking way revelations are introduced to us makes every moment compelling, and thanks to the narrator, it’s easy to get sucked in and feel like you’re a part of the whole insane investigation.

It’s hard to stand out in such a crowded genre, but Evil Genius appears to do it effortlessly. By shining light on a case that hasn’t been discussed for some time and making it a personal journey, the series essentially becomes untouchable by its peers. It’s on par with HBO’s The Jinx as far as stylish editing, jaw-dropping moments, and unprecedented access go.

Sex and Skin: If that’s what you’re here for, you should probably look elsewhere. This is a docuseries about MURDER!

Parting Shot: Things end in chilling fashion after a man named Bill Rothstein places a 911 call and informs the dispatcher that there is a body in a freezer in the garage of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong. The last thing we see is an image of said freezer, leaving us with a million questions (and probably a few nightmares to be had). We need more! Tell us who is in the freezer and why!

Sleeper Star: As it’s a docuseries, we can’t really shout out a sleeper star, but we have to give credit to Trey Borzillieri for spearheading this investigation. Without him, the series wouldn’t exist.

Most Pilot-y Line: While there are certainly a few interview moments that might seem familiar, Evil Genius manages to avoid docuseries clichés and instead gives us the nitty gritty, not shying away from even the most disturbing facts. No pilot-y lines here.

Our Call: Stream it! With a friendly narrator leading the way, we almost feel as though we’re investigating this along with him, and the pilot alone is enough to hook you for the series’ four hours. The ensuing installments may very well leave your mouth hanging open – it only gets more insane with every twist and turn. Both true crime newbies and aficionados will all find something to love about Evil Genius – even if it does keep them up at night.

Stream Evil Genius on Netflix