Why Netflix’s New #1 Movie The Crash Is Taking Over The World

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Netflix is now a popular choice for fans of true crime. Over the years, they’ve produced many successful true-crime documentaries, ranging from the unusual, like Don’t Fk With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer, to critically acclaimed series such as Making a Murderer, and even bizarre, almost unbelievable shows like Tiger King. Recently, Netflix has also started creating standalone true-crime documentaries.

Netflix has released several compelling documentaries in recent years. In 2020, Athlete A exposed the years of sexual abuse committed against the USA gymnastics team by Larry Nassar. Then, in 2022, Our Father told the disturbing story of a fertility doctor who secretly used his own sperm to father many children. Not all true-crime stories end tragically, though. Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart details the harrowing abduction and assault of a teenage girl, Elizabeth Smart, but ultimately shares the hopeful story of her rescue by the police.

True-crime documentaries, especially those about murder, consistently attract the largest audiences. A new Netflix documentary released in 2026, titled The Crash, is already a huge hit, quickly becoming one of the most-watched programs on the platform. The documentary details a disturbing case involving a young woman who fatally crashed her car, killing her two passengers, and viewers are captivated by it for a number of reasons.

What The Crash Is About

The Crash details the story of Mackenzie Shirilla, who tragically drove her car into a wall at 100 miles per hour, resulting in the deaths of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and their friend, Davion Flanagan. The incident occurred on July 31, 2022, in Strongsville, Ohio. Initially appearing as a car accident, the case led to Shirilla being tried and ultimately convicted of both murder and aggravated vehicular homicide. She received a life sentence, with the possibility of parole after serving 15 years.

The new Netflix documentary recounts the story of a young woman involved in a car crash that killed two people, and it also focuses on her parents, who continue to believe she is innocent. At 17, she drove her Toyota Camry into a building, surviving the crash but suffering serious injuries. The two passengers, ages 19 and 20, did not survive. The documentary examines the legal case, where prosecutors argued she intentionally caused the crash, claiming she never attempted to slow down or stop.

Investigators also found evidence suggesting she had previously threatened to crash the car while arguing with Russo. Shirilla, however, claimed she had a seizure right before the crash and couldn’t control the car. In a strange turn of events, both Shirilla and her mother attempted to speak in Pig Latin to prevent investigators from understanding their conversation, during which Shirilla asked if she could say she’d had a seizure.

This story has been covered on television before. It was originally an episode titled “Murder on Wheels” in A&E’s true-crime series, Killer Cases. It also appeared on Investigation Discovery’s Mean Girl Murders in an episode called “Under the Influence.”

Why The Crash Is Compelling To Netflix Viewers

A key focus of public attention surrounding The Crash is the relationship between Shirilla and her parents. Beyond judging Shirilla for the accident, people are also criticizing her parents, and Cleveland’s 19 News reports that her father has been temporarily removed from his teaching position at Mary Queen of Peace School. The school says this action stems from concerns raised by parents regarding comments he made in the Netflix documentary.

Steve Shirilla claims the documentary manipulated his interview to create more drama, but his own statements are still at the center of the true-crime story. In the film, he confessed to letting his teenage daughter use marijuana, arguing it was safer than alcohol. He also allowed his 17-year-old daughter to live with her 20-year-old boyfriend, believing she was mature enough to make that decision.

The documentary presents evidence suggesting she was involved, but Mackenzie Shirilla and her family continue to maintain her innocence. In the film, Shirilla emphasized that there was no intention behind her actions. You can now watch The Crash on Netflix.

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2026-05-21 22:59