Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, nudity, cursing, smoking in formulaic true crime.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CONVERSATIONS WITH A KILLER: THE TED BUNDY TAPES, an installment of the Conversations with a Killer true crime franchise, chronicles the investigation, prosecution, and sentencing of late murderer Ted Bundy with the help of some of his recorded conversations. Beginning with the kidnapping and murder of at least seven women in King County, Washington in 1974 and ending with his execution on January 25, 1989 in the Florida State Prison for the brutal murders of Lisa Levy, Margaret Bowman, and 12-year-old Kimberly Leach, it offers a narrative about the serial killer's femicidal sprees that took place across six states using archive media and contemporary interviews. Conversations with journalists like Stephen Michaud, law enforcement agents like Florida Sheriff Ken Katsaris, and investigators including the late Robert "Bob" Keppel, along with doctors, prosecutors, and public defenders reveal what it was like to interact with the killer while he was in custody and in the courtroom. Recordings of the killer help round out the story by revealing how calculating he was, whether in the way that he lured his victims, planned escapes from custody, or talked about his crimes in ways that couldn't be used in a court of law. Conversations with acquaintances and survivors of his crimes also add some dark details.
Is It Any Good?
The formulaic and sensational docuseries takes viewers down an already well-publicized path that reveals what Ted Bundy was like and how far-reaching and violent his killing sprees and post-murder rituals were. Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes offers few surprises, given that most of what he did and said has received extensive media coverage over the years. But some of contemporary interviews reveal unexpected details, such as how emotional the serial killer's actions made them, and how now-retired Sheriff Katsaris, according to his own admission, purposely kept investigators from other states from accessing the murderer to ensure that he would be tried, convicted, and sentenced for the murders he committed in Florida. But true to the franchise, Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes also emphasizes his looks, charm, and ability to articulate, which gives him the kind of attention and credibility he sought while he was alive.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the changes in technology and strategy that make it easier for law enforcement to search for criminals across U.S. state and international borders.
What's behind the public's fascination with serial killers? Are series like Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes fueling this interest? Or are they produced as a response to it?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 24, 2019
- Cast : Kathleen McChesney , Robert Keppel , Ken Katsaris
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : History ( Biopic )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 5, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate