Netflix’s 2-Part True Crime Series With Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score Needs To Be Watched More Than Once

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As a huge fan of Netflix, I’ve seen a lot of their shows, and while they do true crime really well, they also made what I think is the best parody of the whole genre – it’s one of those shows you can watch over and over. I’ve noticed some Netflix shows are better depending on how you watch them. Take 3 Body Problem, for example. You could watch a new episode each week like a regular TV show, but honestly, it’s so complex with its big story, tricky science, and all the characters connected, that it’s way better when you just binge the whole thing!

Many shows are great to binge-watch, and it can be a good way to quickly get through a weaker first season, like with Netflix’s BoJack Horseman, and reach the show’s best parts. But some shows, like Netflix’s intense thrillers You and Mindhunter, are best watched more slowly. They’re so suspenseful that viewers often miss subtle character development and clever plot points when they’re on the edge of their seats.

Both of these shows are worth watching again. Once you know the major plot twists, you can truly appreciate the well-developed characters. The same is true for the Netflix series American Vandal. The second time you watch it, you’ll notice how funny it is, but the first time, it’s a surprisingly engaging and unpredictable mystery.

Netflix’s American Vandal Is A Brilliant Mystery On First Viewing

The first season of American Vandal premiered in 2017 and was created by Dan Perrault. The show centers on two high school students who are fascinated by true crime and decide to investigate a bizarre case: someone vandalized the faculty cars with inappropriate drawings. What makes the show surprisingly funny is that it treats this ridiculous mystery with complete seriousness, making it genuinely engaging and unpredictable.

Despite most people assuming Jimmy Tatro’s character, Dylan, was responsible for the vandalism, the filmmakers think he’s being unfairly blamed. To prove his innocence, they need to uncover the real culprit, which means navigating the complicated social scene of their high school just before graduation. This makes American Vandal a unique show – it’s both a funny and touching story about growing up, and a genuinely suspenseful mystery where anyone could be the one who did it.

Season one of American Vandal, featuring Lukas Gage, Eduardo Franco, and Saxon Shabiro, is surprisingly captivating, much like the central mystery in 13 Reasons Why, though it’s far more lighthearted. The idea that Dylan could have his future ruined by a false accusation feels genuinely impactful, and the show makes you care about both the students making the documentary and the people they’re investigating. Despite the silly starting point, you quickly get as caught up in the drama as any high schooler would.

American Vandal Is Also The Best True Crime Parody Yet

At first glance, American Vandal is simply funny, with its straight-faced detectives treating a seemingly silly case with intense seriousness. But the show truly stands out on a second viewing, especially knowing how the first season ends. While the central mystery is resolved in a satisfying way, it maintains the ambiguity common in true crime stories, leaving some questions unanswered.

Re-watching American Vandal highlights its strength in character-driven comedy more than its initial mystery. It’s a fantastic show to enjoy again, letting you appreciate the humor without being so focused on solving the case. Similar to the excellent mystery Knives Out, American Vandal features hilarious characters, but the engaging plot can distract you from some of the funniest moments on your first viewing.

Since American Vandal ended in 2018, many shows have tried to parody the true crime genre. Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, Bodkin on Netflix, and Based on a True Story on Peacock all offer comedic takes, playfully mocking everything from amateur sleuths and sensationalized content to the predictable patterns true crime fans know well. But none of these quite captured the surprisingly insightful and clever satire of American Vandal, which uniquely questioned the entire genre with its thoughtful conclusion.

American Vandal’s Season 2 Cancellation Couldn’t Have Been Worse Timed

The first season of American Vandal ends with its filmmakers wondering if they should have gotten involved in the case at all, realizing their efforts to be neutral still changed what happened. This raises a genuine ethical question that many real true-crime shows and podcasts avoid. It’s interesting that this complex issue was addressed by a comedic take on the genre. Unfortunately, American Vandal didn’t receive much recognition while it aired, and it was cancelled before the current surge in popularity of true crime content even started.

While documentaries have long explored true crime, the genre really took off in popularity with the rise of podcasts in the early 2020s. Interestingly, the show American Vandal ended in 2018, before true crime became a mainstream phenomenon and even before the huge surge in popularity it experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shows like My Favorite Murder and Tiger King didn’t reach their peak until 2020, meaning American Vandal was ahead of its time and, unfortunately, didn’t receive the recognition it deserved from many true crime fans.

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2026-05-05 16:09