Netflix’s My Father, The BTK Killer Changed How I Think About The Families Of Serial Killers

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I needed a little break from all the scary movies I was watching in October, so I decided to dive into a true crime documentary. I’d been wanting to learn more about Dennis Rader, and My Father, The BTK Killer was streaming on Netflix, so I jumped at the chance. Honestly, it really changed my thinking, especially about how we view the families of people like him. It’s given me a whole new perspective on their situation.

In My Father, The BTK Killer, Kerri Rawson shares her experience growing up as the daughter of a serial killer. The book details her role in helping to catch her father, Dennis Rader, and how she processed the shocking revelations about his crimes and the intense media attention that followed. It’s a deeply sad and impactful story, comparable to Con Mum, and highly recommended for those interested in true crime.

Generally, I Was Always Quick To Judge Families Of Serial Killers

When I hear about a new true crime case, particularly those involving serial killers, my first thought is always for the victims’ families. I think this is why I enjoy the show Dexter – I find it incredibly hard to imagine how someone could commit such acts and still manage to hide it from the people closest to them.

Every criminal case is unique, but it’s true that some serial killers have family members who either helped catch them or knew about their actions. In some instances, family members are completely unaware of the crimes, while in others, they actively participate in them.

My Father, The BTK Killer Helped Me Sympathize With The Family Of One Killer, And Changed My Perspective

It’s unfair to assume we know everything about what families experienced in these situations. However, working on the story of My Father, The BTK Killer made me especially careful about how I consider these cases. Hearing the daughter, Rawson’s, story was deeply upsetting, and it highlighted the damage caused by people wrongly speculating about her involvement.

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While Rawson was deeply affected by her father’s actions, the documentary also revealed how public criticism and speculation took a toll on her mental well-being. This eventually led to a difficult conversation with Stephen King, after she discovered her father had inspired his novel, A Good Marriage.

The situation ultimately drew more attention to Kerri Rawson, but it’s unfair to blame Stephen King for writing a story exploring that idea. As I said before, he’s not the first to be intrigued by the possibility of a serial killer successfully hiding their actions, even from those closest to them. The case of Dennis Rader is a well-known example, and many movies have been made about real-life crimes.

The documentary My Father, The BTK Killer offers a unique perspective by focusing on the daughter of a serial killer, and I found myself feeling sympathy for her. It’s understandably difficult to come to terms with the fact that a loved one committed terrible acts, especially when you also cherish good memories of them. The film highlights how a killer’s actions ripple outwards, impacting not just the immediate victims, but also their family.

You can now watch My Father, The BTK Killer on Netflix. And for updates on other new shows and movies coming to Netflix, check out TopMob – they’ve got a lot of exciting content planned.

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2025-10-23 13:08