My Daughter’s Killer – Netflix Review (4/5)

MY DAUGHTER’S KILLER on Netflix is a new true-crime documentary with a sharp runtime of 83 minutes. It’s a very simple case that becomes complex as justice turns out to be quite fickle. Read our full My Daughter’s Killer documentary review here!

MY DAUGHTER’S KILLER is a new Netflix true-crime documentary from France. The case begins in Germany when a teenage girl dies mysteriously and suddenly in 1982. Her name was Kalinka Bamberski and things seem to be off from the very beginning.

This results in a case that plays out in both France and Germany as the hunt for justice takes several sharp turns. And it does eventually play out over several decades. Still, the story is told in a very complete and straightforward manner over a runtime of just 83 minutes.

Continue reading our My Daughter’s Killer documentary review below. The true-crime documentary is out on Netflix from July 12, 2022.

The death of Kalinka Bamberski

So much seems to get in the way of justice when it comes to the death of Kalinka Bamberski. Her father, André Bamberski, is fairly quick to suspect that something isn’t as natural as everyone would have the world believe. A 14-year-old girl doesn’t just die like that.

First, it seems that heatstroke might be the cause. Then it looks like she choked on her own vomit. Also, despite calling for an ambulance sounding like she is actively dying, rigor mortis has long set in when the ambulance does arrive soon thereafter.

The strangest thing about her death; Her stepfather, Dieter Krombach, is a doctor, and the things he does to “help” save Kalinka Bamberski are all very strange. Not just to other medical professionals but to anyone who listens to the facts.

The fight for justice!

There are many things that get in the way of justice. For one, even getting anyone to look at the evidence. And then evidence disappears. We’re talking about an autopsy with strange findings and organs that are to be tested, but then seem to disappear!

Also, since Kalinka dies in Germany, where she lives with her French mother and German stepfather, but is still a French citizen when she dies, the two countries battle in all legal matters. France wants to avenge the death of a citizen (by way of trial, of course). Germany seems to want to protect their citizen.

Mostly because he’s a doctor. Also, he’s white and male, and as such seems to be above the law.

This is why the father of Kalinka, André Bamberski, makes it his mission in life to get justice. Especially as he finds out more and more strange things about Dr. Dieter Krombach. It turns out Dieter Krombach has committed many crimes. Most include sexual assaults of several women (often underage), which he will even admit to.

Oh no, not that he assaulted them, but rather that they didn’t say yes or no. Silence equals consent in his book. However, there is also the small detail of him always giving them strange injections that seem to paralyze them. Effectively making it impossible for them to fight back. And again, no struggle is consent to him, so voila, he’s good!

Watch My Daughter’s Killer on Netflix now!

Antoine Tassin is the director of this new Netflix true-crime documentary. This is the first feature-length production by Antoine Tassin, after having directed three shorts. Hopefully, Tassin will continue making these true-crime documentaries, because the result is very impressive!

I cannot blame André Bamberski for going to great lengths to get his daughter’s killer convicted. And I also can’t blame those who decide to help him. It’s a brutal and grotesque tale where several victims come forward, and make some drastic decisions along the way.

Importantly, this Netflix documentary does not glorify the actions of André Bamberski. It does, however, highlight all the hoops he has to jump through and how he often chooses unorthodox ways of doing so. Seriously, if you like true-crime documentaries that have been solved (to a point anyway), then do not miss out on this one!

My Daughter’s Killer is out on Netflix on July 12, 2022.