Haunting Netflix true-crime series races up chart

A ‘fascinating’ true-crime series about one of the most notorious serial-killers in history has soared up the rankings on Netflix.

Mixing present-day interviews with previously unheard recordings, Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes examines David Berkowitz’s mark on 1970s New York.

Now 72, Berkowitz carried out a murderous 13-month rampage in the American city between 1976 and 1977, during which he killed six women and wounded eleven others.

Armed with a .44 Special calibre revolver for most of his crimes, he was eventually arrested in August 1977 for eight shootings. He confessed to them all and was sentenced to six consecutive life sentences in 1978.

Now, Netflix’s new three-part series features audio of past interviews the killer did with Rochester Democrat and Chronicle journalist Jack Jones.

It also contains a new interview with Berkowitz, who is serving a life sentence in upstate New York.

David Berkowitz, known as the ‘Son of Sam’, killed six people between 1966 and 1977 (Picture: Getty Images)

The killings left New York City teetering on the edge (Picture: AP)

David Berkowitz, pictured inside Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York, in 2009, terrorised citizens (Picture: AP)

As well as this, victims’ loved ones and researchers shed light on this period in New York history.

Reacting to the series on X, many fans have highlighted the new information it provides.

@maoshisa1981 described it as a ‘fascinating listen’, adding: ‘The unreleased Berkowitz recordings sound like a chilling deep dive into the case.’

Meanwhile, @CriticSusan added: ‘Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes may be one of their best true crime docu-series. @Netflix.’

Towards the beginning of the series, viewers are shown how the Bronx native was adopted in 1953 before he became the ‘.44 Caliber Killer’ and ‘Son of Sam’ due to the signature he left on letters at crime scenes and sent to media outlets.

When Berkowitz was finally arrested and put on trial, he claimed his neighbour’s dog, Sam, was possessed by a demon and commanded him to kill.

A smiling Berkowitz at the age of 24 when he was arrested for the killings(Picture: Bettmann Archive)

The new Netflix series features previously unheard recordings from Berkowitz (Picture: Bettmann Archive)

But, in an interview from 1980, we hear how Berkowitz fabricated this story to create confusion and manipulate the media and law enforcement.

There is a potential to bring back the show as not only one movie but an entire trilogy, with creator Fincher carefully vetting the scripts.

‘I had a meeting with David Fincher in his office a few months ago, and he said to me that there is a chance that it may come back as three two-hour movies, but I think it’s just a chance,’ he told CBR.

‘I know there are writers that are working, but you know, David has to be happy with scripts.’

Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes is available to watch on Netflix.

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