Table of Contents
- 5 Best Docuseries to Watch in 2021
- A Wrap-Up
Non-fiction and crime documentaries are not the first choice when you are looking for something light-hearted to watch. But for an intense watch at a sleepover or a long weekend night during the holiday season, it can be a good way to keep yourself entertained. Docuseries have a way of keeping you hooked, more than 2-hour long documentary films, too. Whether it is true crime or some celebrity news, there are some amazing docuseries you can enjoy watching in 2021.
5 Best Docuseries to Watch in 2021
1. The Social Dilemma
Release year: 2020
Where to watch: Netflix
The Social Dilemma is a docuseries released in 2020. It is heavily focused on the side effects of social networking through digital means. Its powerful direction by Jeff Orlowski highlights the use and the negative impacts of technology on young minds.
As a parent to a teenager, or a teenager yourself, the audience can actually find a lot to learn about the realities of Big Tech. Data privacy and security are a serious concern, but their depth can only be realized through these impactful docuseries. The use of social media and how advertisers use our data to manipulate us into buying their products is a complex process that is thoroughly pondered over in the series. It is a good watch for some self-reflection and reality check.
2. The Last Dance
Release year: 2020
Where to watch: Netflix, DirecTV
This is a documentary-style miniseries that is co-produced by Netflix and ESPN Films. It revolves around Michael Jordan, or MJ, who is one of the most popular and successful NBA players.
This docuseries is the perfect watch for sports lovers, especially basketball fans. It walks us through many stages of MJ’s career as a basketball player, but also mainly highlights the last season that he played. There will be some very interesting footage that takes us into the behind-the-scenes of the sports world. The exclusive footage will include many known personalities from the NBA world such as Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, and Steve Kerr.
3. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
Release year: 2015
Where to watch: DirecTV Stream, Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu
If you wish to watch something close to a thriller but non-fiction, then The Jinx will be the best watch. The docuseries is an HBO original, divided into 6 parts, and is one of the most talked-about, sensitive issue docuseries out there.
It is directed by Andrew Jarecki. The plot revolves around Robert Durst, a convicted murderer of his disappeared wife, neighbor, and family member. The murders and disappearances remain unresolved, but the docuseries gave away a lot of details and exclusive information to the public after years of allegations on Durst.
4. Fear City: New York vs The Mafia
Release year: 2020
Where to watch: Netflix
Get some serious insights on how wiretapping allowed the FBI to track down Italian-American mafias in the ’80s. The docuseries walks us through how these controlling and powerful mafias were brought down by some highly passionate and motivated FBI agents. From US attorneys to FBI agents, we see numerous personalities interviewed and delve into the details of taking down the Mafia of New York.
The series only includes 3 episodes and is a Netflix original release in 2020 only. If you are hearing and watching something regarding this case for the first time, there will be a lot of shocks and surprises for you. However, the production and direction of the docuseries is the biggest highlight, as the news included in the series is not very unusual or entirely new.
5. Allen v. Farrow
Release year: 2021
Where to watch: HBO Max
Woody Allen’s pile of sexual harassment allegations has been the talk of the town for a long while now. After reviewing and going through tons of documents, transcripts, testimonies, and other many records, the directors, and makers of this docuseries seem to have done justice to the factual storytelling aspect. The series first aired on HBO and was primarily made for television only. It touches upon the years-old sexual harassment allegation on Woody Allen, made by Dylan Farrow.
However, the docuseries are mainly focused on providing the allegations true but don’t pay much attention to Allen’s self-proclaimed innocence that does require some consideration to put up a fair show. The docuseries made rounds ever since the first time it aired, with over a million views on just the first episode.
You can sign up on HBO Max, or utilize the 3-month free subscription that comes with DirecTV Stream subscriptions. The docuseries is relatively very recent and is not yet available on platforms like Netflix.
A Wrap-Up
To watch docuseries such as Allen V Farrow or such, you need subscriptions to reliable streaming platforms, so you don’t miss out while others get ahead of you. With a subscription to DirecTV Stream, you can get your hands on free-of-cost access to HBO Max for at least a year. Reach out to DirecTV customer service to learn more about their Entertainment, Choice, and Ultimate packages.