Murder 101 – Review | Prime Video Docuseries

MURDER 101 on Prime Video is a true crime documentary series in three parts. If you want productions that focus on the victims, then this one is ideal for you. I found this to be both very inspirational and deeply emotional in all the right ways. Read our full Murder 101 docuseries review here!

MURDER 101 is a Prime Video documentary series with three hour-long episodes. Trust me, this is the kind of production you’ll find it very difficult not to binge-watch. It all revolves around a High School sociology class that focuses on cold cases. Mostly by looking at the victims in the case. I would’ve loved to take such a class.

I was expecting to like this true crime docuseries, but I didn’t expect to enjoy both the production and the people in it as much. We’re talking high school students, who are just being very honest and showing us all that “kids these days” are exactly as we’ve always been. Give them an interesting project, and they’re hooked.

Continue reading our full Murder 101 docuseries below. Find it on Prime Video now.

A serial killer cold case becomes hot

Watching Murder 101, I almost found myself getting upset that it took a high school class to get someone looking at this cold case. I mean, we are talking about a serial killer with a very specific type, who killed so many young women in a very short span in the 1980s.

All his victims were redheads, so the media named it the “Redhead Murders“, and – as is so often the case – most weren’t even identified. Once a victim was identified as a sex worker, this just meant less of a focus on the case. Also, it became too easy for people to start victim-blaming and assume that all the victims were probably sex workers.

I am grossly oversimplifying, but at the same time, you know how this goes. So really, I’m just stating facts.

In any case, this Prime Video docuseries is all about a high school sociology class in rural Tennessee. Here, the students help revive a decades-old case, which turns this ice-cold case into a very active hunt for a killer.

What a difference a good teacher makes

As someone who enjoyed going to school and actually learning stuff, I’ve always been acutely aware of what difference a good teacher can make. If you haven’t been blessed with at least one really good teacher, Murder 101 just might show you exactly what kind of difference this makes.

In this docuseries, we see a teacher who engages and inspires his students, which in turn means they want to get involved and spend time. In short: They want to learn!

A classroom project done right is always so much more effective than most people realize. In this case, it focuses on an actual true crime case that they find clues for. However, it goes so much further for each student. Inspiring them both to understand the victims better and maybe even helping them choose a future career.

Watch Murder 101 on Prime Video now

The Prime Video docuseries Murder 101 is based on the successful KT Studios and iHeart Media true crime podcast. I am not familiar with the podcast, but I certainly love the concept of this documentary series. The three episodes are directed by Stacey Lee (The Secrets of Hillsong).

The Murder 101 docuseries is executive produced by Jon Watts (Clown), Dianne McGunigle (Final Destination: Bloodlines), and Stephanie Lydecker (The Idaho Student Murders).

All three episodes of the series will be available on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Maybe it can help inspire similar classes in schools all over the world. Whenever someone gives a cold case more time (and fresh eyes), there’s a chance of new clues being uncovered.

I loved how this classroom project evolved into a real-life investigation. And I am a huge fan of the approach where the victims are at the forefront. Not only are they given a name (something other projects also focus on), but they also notice overlooked clues that have been long forgotten.

The true crime docuseries debuted its first episode at the Sundance Film Festival. It was part of the Nonfiction Pilot Showcase earlier this year, and I can only imagine this will be a huge hit. Both on Prime Video and as inspiration for more classes in high schools all over the United States. Hopefully, even the world.

Murder 101 is out on Prime Video from July 13, 2026.