Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, sexism in humanizing true crime docuseries.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Inspired by the true crime writings of Robert Kolker, the docuseries GONE GIRLS: THE LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER reveals how a young woman's disappearance eventually sparked an investigation that led to the arrest of a man who allegedly murdered at least seven women between 1993 and 2011. In May 2010, 24-year-old Shannan Gilbert made a frantic call to 911 from Long Island right before her disappearance. The police initially dismissed the case due to her being a sex worker, but after months of pressure from her mother, Mari Gilbert, and other loved ones, they finally began searching the area where she was last seen. On December 10, 2010, in a remote area of Gilgo Beach on Long Island, police found the remains of four other women, aka the Gilgo Four. In spring 2011, six more sets of remains were found between two Long Island counties. The similarities among victims led to the search for a suspect who was dubbed the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK). But it was not until 2023, thanks to witness testimony and DNA evidence, that Manhattan architect and Long Island resident Rex Heuermann was arrested and charged with six counts of first- and second-degree murder. Using archive recordings and footage; conversations with folks like author Robert Kolker and journalist Jaclyn Gallucci, friends and family members of the disappeared, and investigators; and some brief reenactments, the series helps viewers understand some of the disturbing reasons why these disappearances and murders went unsolved for so long.
Is It Any Good?
This victim-focused true crime series addresses why the disappearance and deaths of nine women, one man, and one toddler went uninvestigated and unsolved by police for nearly 20 years. Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer reveals some of the prevailing patriarchal attitudes of the time they went missing; at first such attitudes allowed police officers to easily dismiss the disappearance of many of the victims because they were sex workers. Later they appeased the public by reinforcing that only sex workers were targets of the killer.
Of particular interest are the inspiring stories of Shannan Gilbert's mother and the loved ones of some of the other missing women, who successfully advocated for their loved ones before and after they were found. All of this highlights the systematic issues within New York law enforcement that helped make it possible for a serial killer to continue preying on people. The fact that the younger Gilbert's death was swiftly classified as "accidental" after her remains were found near the site where the Gilgo Four were found in 2011 also points to some of this dysfunction. Like most true crime series, there's some sensational and repetitive content, but thanks to its focus on those who lost their lives, and the people who have been working with—and challenging—law enforcement on their behalf, Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer succeeds at humanizing those who were lost rather than giving the alleged killer any more attention.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of true crime documentaries. Are they sensational entertainment? Or is there something we can learn from them?
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer addresses the sexist attitudes that delayed the investigation into the disappearance of people who had gone missing. Are these attitudes any different today?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 31, 2025
- Cast : Robert Kolker , Mari Gilbert , Jaclyn Gallucci
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Activism
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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