Dir. Leena Yadav & Anubhav Chopra | Now Streaming On: Netflix | Rating: 5/5

I promise this isn’t going to become a true crime blog, don’t worry. Back to back true crime docuseries reviews weren’t in my original plan but I couldn’t let this hidden gem slip by without recommending it to you all.⁠
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Before you read any further or think about watching this limited series, I want to give a HUGE trigger warning for suicide and mental illness. House of Secrets sets out to unravel the mystery behind an incident that to this day, has yet to be ruled as a murder or a suicide or even a crime. This is yet another case study in the relentless power of belief, and the intersections we see between religious fervor and mental illness.⁠
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House of Secrets stands out for its critical examinations of the shame and denial that accompanies mental illness, especially the lengths people will go to keep it a secret. The friends and family left in the wake of the deaths grapple with the horrible weight of responsibility that comes with being close enough to a tragedy to feel it, but not close enough to prevent it. It also boldly attacks the media for its careless sensationalizing of true crime, which is a line of thought I deeply agree with. These two ideas paired together bring a sense of justice and closure to a family who’s truth has been massacred by the age of social media. ⁠
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Like the most true crime docs, House of Secrets leaves us questioning the interconnectedness of society. How well do we really know our neighbors? Or friends? Or family? It peels back the layers of intimacy that separate the versions of people we see and know, and the versions that are kept hidden for a reason. This doc will stick with you, but it’s not one to skip. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features discussions of suicide and death. ⁠