The 8 best documentaries to watch right now
What could be better than a roundup of the best documentaries to snuggle on the couch and watch this weekend? Bring on the hot chocolate and popcorn.
1. "Framing Britney Spears"
How to watch: Hulu
While there are several documentaries out on Britney Spears and her struggle to break free from her conservatorship by her father, Jamie Spears, this is the one on the top of the list. Released by The New York Times in February, the film follows the pop singer’s rise to fame in her young teens, through her tumultuous run-ins with the paparazzi and her public breakdown in 2007.
Directed by Samantha Stark, the documentary received two nominations at the 73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and won the TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information.
2. "Misha and The Wolves"
How to watch: Netflix
This is a docu-drama that tells the tale of a Holocaust survivor whose memoir inspired many around the world. However, a fallout with her publisher reveals many of the secrets behind Misha’s tales. This is a story of tragedy, pain, survival and, ultimately ... deception? You decide!
3. "LuLaRich"
How to watch: Prime Video
In a four-part documentary directed by Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason – who also released the 2019 film "Fyre Fraud" about a music festival fraud gone wrong – looks into LuLaRoe, the multilevel marketing company (MLM) best known for its buttery, novelty patterned leggings and clothing line. If you can remember when LulaRoe first came on the scene back in 2012, it took the world by storm. It seemed every mother, sister and friend were wearing these leggings.
Like most other MLMs, the company earns its revenue by selling its stock to individuals, who in turn sell it to others, building a team or network of their own. The individual sellers earn money through sales and by recruiting more sellers “underneath” them so they receive a percentage of their sales. Ultimately, MLMs fail because the majority of members don’t make any money and tend to lose money on the investment for inventory and training, etc.
4. "The Case Against Adnan Syed"
How to watch: HBO
Released in 2019, this four-part series is a re-examination of the 1999 disappearance and murder of 18-year-old Hae Min Lee in Baltimore County and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, who adamantly maintains his innocence to this day.
Riveting and thought-provoking, the documentary seeks to tell the story from all angles, through interviews with old friends of the couple, family members of both the victim and the accused along with phone interviews with Adnan himself. Edge-of-your-seat and mind-numbing, you want to know – did he do it or not?
5. "The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley"
How to watch: HBO
Elizabeth Holmes is currently on trial for 12 counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for allegedly misleading investors and patients about her company Theranos’ blood-testing device. Once valuated as a multibillion-dollar company, Elizabeth was believed to be a genius in the likes of Steve Jobs. The documentary chronicles the rise and fall of an entrepreneur, whose motive at one point had been to save lives.
6. "The Housewife and the Hustler"
How to watch: Hulu
Reality TV star Erika Jayne, who is married to legal king Tom Girardi, is facing real-life drama of her own. Girardi is accused of embezzling millions of dollars from victims he was supposed to protect and serve. Things don’t look good for the couple.
While "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" cast member Erika Jayne has not been legally charged, many have crucified her for knowing about the misdoings of her husband and standing by in silence only to reap the rewards of a lavish lifestyle built upon lies. Only time will tell what the verdict is for Tom, but in the meantime, this documentary lends voices to the victims and their families.
7. "What Happened, Brittany Murphy?"
How to watch: HBO Max
This documentary delves into the tragic death of famous actress Brittany Murphy at the age of 32. Charming and enigmatic, the actress was a rising star in 2009, having married husband and manager Simon Monjack. The mysterious circumstances surrounding her untimely passing are examined through past footage and interviews with those closest to her, offering new details and insight. The docuseries aims to reach beyond gossip fodder and speculation.
8. "The Vow"
How to watch: HBO Max
Originally advertised as a self-improvement group, NXIVM was an organization founded in 1998 by cult leader Keith Raniere and funded by American heiress Claire Bronfman in Albany, New York.
With in-depth interviews and insight into several former NXIVM members, including Mark Vicente, Bonnie Piesse and Sarah Edmondson, the documentary tells the story of a multilevel marketing company that engaged in sex trafficking and racketeering that duped its members out of money, dignity and essentially freedom. Actress Allison Mack of the hit superhero series "Smallville" was a high-ranking member of NXIVM who had “slaves” working under her, catering to her every whim.