Why Watch
"Exposing the internet's darkest corners, this chilling true-crime anthology reveals how online deception triggers lethal real-world violence."
AI Critic Analysis
Series Deep Dive:
Director Brian Knappenberger delivers an urgent, forensic autopsy of digital malice in Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet. Across six gripping installments on Netflix, the anthology exposes how online radicalization, SWATting, and disinformation campaigns produce deadly consequences offline. Blending sharp journalistic rigor with chilling personal testimonies, this completed limited docuseries provides an indispensable, sobering critique of our increasingly weaponized, algorithm-driven cultural ecosystem.
Season: 1
| Watched? | # | Air Date | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Jun 15, 2022 | Death by SWAT | |
| E2 | Jun 15, 2022 | A Murder in D.C. | |
| E3 | Jun 15, 2022 | I'm Not a Nazi | |
| E4 | Jun 15, 2022 | Sextortion | |
| E5 | Jun 15, 2022 | The Stingray - Part 1 | |
| E6 | Jun 15, 2022 | The Stingray - Part 2 |
Production Note - Limited Series
Production Type: Limited Series
Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet is a standalone Limited Series designed as a completed, finite historical narrative. This anthology production was crafted to dissect specific, high-stakes digital crimes through a lens of investigative journalism and cinematic reenactment. By focusing on distinct case studies ranging from swatting incidents to the spread of extremist misinformation, the creators prioritized a deep-dive structure that provides comprehensive closure for each individual narrative arc within the broader technological context.
The production scale involved extensive interviews with victims, law enforcement, and perpetrators, ensuring that the series functioned as a definitive record of the internet age's unique dangers. Because the show was conceptualized as a thematic anthology rather than a continuing procedural, its status as a finite run allows it to serve as a permanent historical document of contemporary cybercrime. The decision to conclude the series after its initial batch of episodes reflects a commitment to quality over quantity, ensuring each story maintains its impact without the need for seasonal expansion.
If you liked Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet:
Trailer
Technical Details
- Network: Netflix
- Seasons: 1
- Years: 2022 - 2022
- Genre: Crime, Documentary