The Confession Tapes

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
The Confession Tapes Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Crime investigation docu has cursing, violent themes.

Netflix Reality TV 2017
Rate TV

Parents say

age 14+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate tv

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 suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Confession Tapes is a documentary series that examines cases where people convicted of murder claim that their confessions were manipulated, coerced, or false, as well as questionable investigative activities by law enforcement. It contains lots of disturbing conversations about violent crimes, including murder, as well as bloody, gory images of crime scenes and corpses. In one episode, a woman is savagely sodomized and beaten to death. There's lots of cursing, too. Wine and beer are occasionally visible, and cigarette smoking is shown.

Community Reviews

BothnianReviews
BothnianReviews Adult
February 4, 2019
age 14+

Extremely important series.

This series i see is extremely important, as it exposes that you can't really trust anyone, and what bragging on things you did not do can get you. In the first 2 episodes we see these two troubled 19 year old boys who are suspected of killing the other boys family, now that's really though accusation, the boys act a little strange yes, but so does the police - They use "Mr big" method, in which they falsely act as mobsters who give the boys image of "hardcore killer/criminal" and then pressure the boys to tell them about "how did you kill those people, c'mon i know you did it, dont F**k with me just tell me" then of course the boys come up with (probably false) stories of how they did do it. I mean c'mon, you wouldn't believe how many false stories of other guys bragging about stuff that they probably did not do at all i have heard all my life, even without trying to pressure them. It is very important to expose that the police can use anything you say against you, even if its not true and they have manipulated you to say it themselves - I think it is wrong, i think conviction should be solely based in sole evidence and trustworthy witnesses, only confessions that can be taken seriously are those made in the court itself. Seriously, guys will (maybe even girls will?) come up with morbid tales just to impress people, i know it sounds silly, but it shouldn't land anybody in jail. Mr big is morally depraved and extremely corrupt method in my opinion. ( I don't know if it is allowed in my country Finland, but something like it probably is )
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE CONFESSION TAPES is a crime documentary series that examines cases where people convicted of murder claim that their confessions were manipulated, coerced, or false. Each case features interviews with investigators, lawyers, wrongful conviction experts, and family and friends close to those involved. Archived media footage adds to the overall narrative of the crime. The documentary also features audio and video recordings of interviews conducted by law enforcement with the accused, as well as conversations that were secretly recorded while they were working undercover. Throughout it all, the legality of when and how suspects' confessions were obtained, and how it impacted the outcome of their cases, is discussed.

Is It Any Good?

This disturbing and sometimes grim documentary raises questions about the way law enforcement uses specific tactics to extract information from suspects. Viewers get an in-depth look at how investigators extract information from people during each investigation, which ranges from detaining suspects and questioning them at a station to "befriending" a suspect while undercover to get them to talk. The legality of these processes is discussed, as is the impact each process has had on the prosecution's ability to convict the defendant.

It's hard to deny the tabloidish, somewhat exploitative aspect of the film, thanks to gory crime scene images and some short reenactments. But this doesn't take away from some of the larger questions it poses about how far investigators are willing to go to extract information or obtain a confession in an attempt to make an arrest and secure a conviction. Folks who like investigation-focused series will find The Confession Tapes worth watching.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the reasons people agree to appear on documentaries like The Confession Tapes to talk about disturbing events. Is it to help someone who they feel is being unfairly treated? To criticize law enforcement? For attention?

  • The Confession Tapes offers a troubling look at how law enforcement behavior can negatively impact people's lives. But are the tactics featured here commonly used? What are some of the concerns this documentary raises about people who are convicted of a crime?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: September 8, 2017
  • Network: Netflix
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-14
  • Last updated: February 26, 2022

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love mysteries

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