There's also 'Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father'. It's a heart - wrenching true - story - based documentary that has elements of horror in the sense of the unjust and tragic events that unfold. It tells the story of a man who was wrongly accused and the subsequent chaos and heartbreak that ensued.
Another good one is 'The Act of Killing'. It's a very disturbing but powerful documentary. It's about the Indonesian mass killings in the 1960s. The killers are asked to re - enact their crimes in the style of Hollywood movies, which makes it a very unique and horrifying viewing experience.
One such documentary is 'Cropsey'. It's based on the real - life urban legend of Cropsey on Staten Island. The documentary delves into the mystery and the real - life events that might have inspired the terrifying tales.
Another great one is 'The Imposter'. This is a truly disturbing story. A French man impersonates a missing Texas boy. The documentary shows the real - life interviews and the strange events that unfold as the imposter tries to fit into the family, blurring the lines between truth and lies.
'Hoop Dreams' is also worth mentioning. It follows the real - life stories of two African - American high school students who dream of becoming professional basketball players, showing the challenges and hopes they face along the way.
One well - known betrayal documentary based on a true story is 'The Jinx'. It delves into the life of Robert Durst, a man suspected of multiple murders. The documentary reveals how his actions over time seem to be a betrayal of those around him, including his family and friends. It's a gripping exploration of a complex character.
There's also 'Cropsey'. It's based on the true story of the legend of Cropsey, a boogeyman - like figure on Staten Island. But as the documentary unfolds, it reveals a more disturbing and real - life story of a mental institution and disappearances in the area.
Sure. 'The Cove' is an excellent one. It exposes the cruel dolphin hunting in Taiji, Japan. It's a shocking revelation of an ongoing practice.
'Blackfish' is also highly recommended. It focuses on the treatment of orcas in captivity, especially at SeaWorld. It shows how these intelligent and large - scale marine animals are affected by being confined in small tanks and the implications of their training for shows.
The sense of authenticity. Knowing that these events actually happened makes it scarier. For example, in 'The Act of Killing', the fact that the killers are re - enacting their real - life murders is both fascinating and terrifying.
The fact that they are based on real events. People are often drawn to the idea of the unknown and the real - life horrors that others have faced. It gives a sense of authenticity that fictional horror doesn't always have.
Not always. Some documentaries might take creative liberties or present one-sided views.
One of the top documentaries based on a true story is 'The Act of Killing'. It's a chilling exploration of the Indonesian mass killings in the 1960s. The film has the perpetrators re - enact their crimes in various cinematic styles, which is both disturbing and thought - provoking. Another great one is 'Blackfish'. This documentary exposes the treatment of killer whales in captivity, especially focusing on Tilikum, an orca at SeaWorld. It led to a significant public outcry against keeping these large and intelligent animals in such confined spaces. And 'Icarus' is also very notable. It started as an exploration of doping in sports but turned into a much bigger story about the Russian doping scandal.