Netflix’s latest true crime documentary, Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers, premiered on October 30, 2025, offering a haunting reexamination of one of America’s most infamous female serial killers nearly 40 years after her crimes. Directed by Emily Turner, this gripping documentary dives deep into the complex life of Aileen Wuornos, who killed seven men in central Florida between 1989 and 1990.
If you’re fascinated by true crime stories, this documentary delivers unprecedented access to Wuornos’s story through never-before-seen death row interviews and exclusive archival footage.
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Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 30, 2025 |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix (Exclusive) |
| Runtime | 1 hour 42 minutes |
| Director | Emily Turner |
| Producers | BBC Studios Documentary Unit, NBC News Studios |
| Executive Producers | Liz Cole, Elizabeth Fischer, Andy Berg |
| Genre | True Crime Documentary |
When and Where to Watch
The documentary is available exclusively on Netflix starting October 30, 2025. Unlike theatrical releases, you can watch this compelling documentary from the comfort of your home with a Netflix subscription. The film runs approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes, making it perfect for a single viewing session.
For more streaming updates and entertainment news, bookmark our site for the latest releases.
What Makes This Documentary Different?
Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers features powerful audio interviews with those who knew Wuornos best, along with archival footage from former Dateline correspondent Michele Gillen. What sets this documentary apart is the inclusion of never-before-seen conversations between Wuornos—while she was on death row—and filmmaker Jasmine Hirst.
In the documentary’s trailer, Wuornos makes a chilling statement: “The real Aileen Wuornos is not a serial killer. I was so lost that I turned into one.” This raw admission sets the tone for a documentary that refuses to offer simple answers.
Director Emily Turner explains: “She is so confusing and so complex, which runs so in the face of how we like women to be. And something that felt really important to me was that we weren’t here to make an apology piece about what she’d done”.
The Story Behind the Killer
Born in Michigan in 1956, Wuornos experienced a tumultuous childhood marked by abandonment and abuse. She drifted through a series of foster homes and spent much of her life on the margins of society, eventually hitchhiking to Florida in her early twenties.
Between 1989 and 1990, Aileen Wuornos killed seven men across central Florida. The investigation quickly drew added attention because the female perpetrator didn’t fit the typical serial-killer profile. Wuornos was eventually convicted and, after years on Florida’s death row, executed in 2002.
Her case gained cultural prominence when Charlize Theron’s portrayal of Wuornos in 2003’s Monster won an Academy Award.
Why This Documentary Matters Now
Turner notes that the documentary doesn’t seek to relitigate a verdict, but to better understand who Wuornos was and why her story continues to resist simple answers. In today’s climate of true crime obsession, this film challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about society, gender, and justice.
“We want her to be either the hapless victim where society created her, and life just happened to her—or she’s this cold-blooded murderer. I don’t think either of them does her justice”, Turner explains.
For those interested in more crime documentaries and psychological thrillers, our entertainment section covers the latest releases across all streaming platforms.
Critical Reception and Cultural Impact
The documentary joins Netflix’s extensive true crime catalog, which includes the popular “Conversations with a Killer” series. Turner, known for her work on 24 Hours in Police Custody (2014) and Kids on the Edge (2016), brings her documentary expertise to this complex subject matter.
Check out the official trailer and more details on the Netflix page or visit IMDb for additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers release on Netflix?
The documentary premiered exclusively on Netflix on October 30, 2025. It’s available for streaming only on Netflix and cannot be found on other platforms. The documentary runs 1 hour and 42 minutes and features never-before-seen death row interviews with Aileen Wuornos herself.
Is Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers based on a true story?
Yes, the documentary tells the real story of Aileen Wuornos, who murdered seven men in central Florida between 1989 and 1990. She was convicted, spent years on death row, and was executed in 2002. Her case became famous through Charlize Theron’s Oscar-winning performance in the 2003 film Monster, which dramatized her life and crimes.
