10 Best True Crime Documentaries Of 2023 (So Far)

Released on the 30th anniversary of the Waco siege, Waco: American Apocalypse recounts the explosive true story of the standoff between the ATF and the Branch Davidians, an apocalyptic cult led by David Koresh. With bullets flying from both sides of the conflict, the siege concluded when the cult's compound was destroyed in a fire. By the time the dust had settled, 86 people had lost their lives.

This captivating three-part documentary benefits enormously from a lack of any kind of discernible agenda. American Apocalypse avoids a pitfall associated with many Netflix true crime contemporaries by placing emphasis on recounting the events in a faithful and diverse manner, without attempting to point the finger of blame or stoke the fires of conspiracy theories (looking at you, MH370: The Plane That Disappeared).

The talking heads featured within the series have been selected for maximum immersion, with accounts provided by one of Koresh's "wives" and an FBI sniper providing notable highlights amongst the fascinating array of faces involved in the siege.

For such an infamous historical flashpoint, Waco: American Apocalypse also deserves acclaim for the manner in which it sheds light on the lesser known aspects of the tragedy, bringing thought-provoking new information to life as opposed to revisiting well-trodden ground.