Journalist Michelle McNamara was determined to find the violent offender she dubbed "The Golden State Killer," who terrorized California in the late 1970s and early 1980s, committing 50 home-invasion sexual assaults and ten murders. I'll Be Gone in the Dark is a comprehensive exploration of the case of an elusive, violent predator, as well as a haunting personal memoir and self-examination of McNamara's obsessive quest for justice on behalf of the victims and survivors of the crimes.

Ended
  • Currently 71.61290322580645/5
(31 votes)
Ratings: TVMaze: 7.1/10
Released: June 28, 2020
Runtime: 60 min
Genres: Crime
Countries: United States
Companies: HBO HBO Documentary Films Story Syndicate
Crew: Liz Garbus Patton Oswalt Nancy Abraham Lisa Heller Josh Koury Myles Kane Dan Cogan Kate Barry Dave Rath Julie Gaither Samantha Gordon 8 more

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IAmHaskins 6 points 4 years ago.

This a sure must watch. Listened to this case on the murder squad with Paul Holes and Billy Jenson. Holes worked with Michelle McNamara on her book before she died and was a lead investigator on The Golden State Killer cold case. If you check out their podcast they’ll tell you about the guy, where they were when they got the news about him and how they caught him after DNA evidence sealed his fate after decades of hiding. Crazy good stuff.

Saucer-People 6 points 4 years ago*. 5/5 stars.

This is definitely a must watch and the first episode was just gripping - like a good book, you cannot take your eyes away from what you are taking in.
This takes you back, long before the Golden State Killer had been caught, to a time when this name was virtually unknown. When the late, great Michelle McNamara first started digging into the case and meeting the victims, the detectives and the small band of fellow citizens following the leads, speculating and researching what can only be described as a true monster.
The director Liz Garbus does an incredible job, deep diving into who Michelle was, her family, friends and the obsession she had to put a name to the monster.

magically_delicious 6 points 4 years ago. 5/5 stars. (Contains Spoilers)

Riveting. 5/5 for a top-notch, true life crime series. Patton Oswalt’s devotion to his late wife’s obsessive work to find the EAR/Golden State Killer is an act of love and devotion. Although I am only 2 episodes in (only 2 episodes have been released) I find myself in a state of mixed emotions that range from shock, horror, awe, sadness, and the desire to see and hear more of Michelle’s work. HBO filmmaker Liz Garbus has made an amazing tribute to McNamara’s work and effort to catch this American buglar, serial rapist and serial killer. Despite the fact that in 2018 the police denied claims that this research was of any benefit. The rapes and murders occurred from 1974 to 1986 and Joseph James DeAngelo (East Area Rapist, Golden State Killer, etc.) wasn’t even caught until 24th April 2018 partially — at the very least — due to McNamara’s endless attempts and dedication/obsession to bring him to (some form of) justice.

Duvet Diva 2 points 4 years ago*. (Contains Spoilers)

Sorry to everyone who likes this program, but I have to ask is america the only country that has vicious crimes, or is it they love to sensationalize sick people, we don’t see movies or series coming from the subcontinent highlighting their rape culture or child sex trade or the amount of people who just dissapear in russia every year, it’s like how america has the only openings to the hellmouth even though america is a young country for white settlement and how america seems to has the monopoly on haunted houses etc, death cults it’s as if nowhere else on the planet has any fun things to play with, or is it that america is just so self obsessed.

somniloquist 9 points 4 years ago*. 5/5 stars. (Contains Spoilers)

To my knowledge, programs like this are also prevalent in Britain and Australia. Other countries I’ve no knowledge of in this area. But I do know that true crime as a subject and genre has been prevalent the world over for a very very long time. Look at newspapers from the turn of the 20th century and before, highly sensationalized crime reporting sold papers. Always has.
Just off the top of my head, Andrei Chikatilo was a Soviet serial killer and cannibal mainly in the 1980s. He was a sensation of the age. In Cold Blood was and is a classic piece of literature by Truman Capote and it’s about the real cases of murders in the late 1950s. And, for goodness sake, Jack the Ripper? Worldwide there is still media being churned out about him, and that case is about 130 years old.
TLDR: true crime is a thing, always has been, in the western world at least. This is nothing new.

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Duvet Diva 1 points 4 years ago.

And your British, that says it all.

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Duvet Diva 6 points 4 years ago.

That’s why I apologised at the beginning, as I thought it may have upset some people is was not intentional, I was just questioning why these sort of programs always seem to be coming mainly from the US, I am aware the Brits do it as well but they don’t seem to sensationalize them the way they do in the US.

Saucer-People 5 points 4 years ago. 5/5 stars.

You are absolutely correct in the assumption that American culture (and to a lesser extent, here in the UK, where I live) has a tendency to sensationalise murder and rape.
The reasons for this are numerous and complex, ranging from a western society that has a deep fear of death itself, to the way its media devours and regurgitates novelty and sensation for popularity and sales.
However, this series ‘I’ll Be Gone In The Dark’ is one of the few that does the opposite - it humanises the victims, it celebrates the life of the late novelist and blogger Michelle McNamara, her quest to find the identity of the Golden State Killer and the heavy toll it took on her mental health and well-being.
I really recommend watching this series, especially the third episode as it really highlights how this documentary is the very opposite of Western sensationalism and shallowness.

Duvet Diva 4 points 4 years ago.

Thank you, I will give it another go then.

Saucer-People 3 points 4 years ago. 5/5 stars.

I really hope you have given it a second chance as I think this series really shows how a story, so monstrous in its telling, can be told without sinking into a kind of pornographic sensationalism or a numbness due to the overwhelming death and suffering.
Through the story of Michelle, her life and her obsessions, there is a real core of what is best about humanity and that somehow balances the horror in a profound way.

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Duvet Diva 5 points 4 years ago.

Thank you, but I will not be drawn into a discussion on the socioeconomic status of third world countries and their film industries!

cloroxbleach 1 points 4 years ago. (Contains Spoilers)

This certainly was interesting, and different than I expected. If you didn’t follow this case through the podcast (“Catching the Golden State Killer”) or read McNamara’s book, you might want to familiarize yourself with the story before watching.
The first episode really draws you in, but this focuses more on how the book was written and the life its author. The narrative tries to balance the intensity McNamara put into her research, the effect it had on her life, and reflections from her journal and other experiences. While this is interesting, it wasn’t quite what I’d expected. Some of the narration is really over the top, and almost seems forced rather than genuinely emotional.
However, this definitely is a nice departure from some of the more “blood and guts” type “forensics” shows. Nothing here to glorify except good old fashioned detective work and authorship.
4 out of 5 stars, worth watching. Good change of pace and style for the “true crime” genre, unique insight into research. True Crime nerds will enjoy the excerpts with Paul Holes.

paul40au 1 points 3 years ago. (Contains Spoilers)

I would never have heard of Michelle Macnamara, Had I not been such a fan of Comedian Patton Oswalt (although he is well known, I wouldnt call Oswalt a Superstar), I havent yet read her story on tracking the Golden State Killer-the case which was solved after her sudden passing in 2016, but looking forward to hearing about it

Killion -10 points 4 years ago. 1/5 stars.

It’s so sad that Patton Oswald murdered Michelle McNamara and got away with it. She was such a wonderful journalist.

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