The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story – Review | Hulu

THE SCREAM MURDER: A TRUE TEEN HORROR STORY on Hulu is a true crime documentary series in three parts. This is a strong production that focuses on the victim as well as the relatives of the killers. All three episodes offer important insights. Read our full The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story docu-series review here!

THE SCREAM MURDER: A TRUE TEEN HORROR STORY is a new Hulu documentary series in three parts. Once again, we’re in true crime, and while I had heard of this case, I definitely didn’t know many details. As such, it was fascinating to see how it evolved. Not least, seeing how you view the teenagers who killed a classmate.

There’s no doubt that I saw them in one light before, and a very different one as it evolved. The third part of the documentary looks at whether a life sentence is appropriate for crimes committed by a teenager. Well, in some cases, I could agree that it would seem too harsh, but in the case of a murder planned and executed in this manner, I do think it’s the right sentence. Still, there is room for other opinions.

Continue reading our The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story docu-series review below. Find all three episodes on Hulu from February 11, 2026.

They wanted to kill someone, so they did

The Scream Murder is the case of high school student Cassie Stoddart, who was found stabbed to death in a house she was housesitting. The house was in a fairly remote location, on the outskirts of Pocatello, Idaho, which gave the killers plenty of privacy to commit this planned and heinous act.

The murder shocked the community, and everyone assumed a random killer was the perpetrator. That’s probably why the case made such a huge impact when it turned out Cassie was brutally murdered by two classmates.

First, her boyfriend Matt is investigated, as is almost always the case, but he was quickly cleared of charges. The killers turned out to be their classmates Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik. Not only do they admit (some of) their actions, but they also videotaped themselves planning and virtually celebrating the achievement after the fact.

The two perpetrators claimed to have been inspired to murder Cassie Stoddart by the slasher film Scream. Really, they could just as well have mentioned Halloween or The Strangers, but since it was Scream, they were nicknamed “The Scream Killers”.

Loving horror movies does not make you a killer

Admittedly, I was interested to see whether The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story would go down the road of “obviously these horror-loving teenage boys would become killers”. As such, I am pleased to report that this is not the case at all. Well, except for maybe one of the parents, who clearly feels that her son getting introduced to horror movies was a bad thing.

To be honest, I find this somewhat strange coming from someone who raised their son in a very religious home. I mean, Christianity in any form includes stories from the Bible, which is full of horror stories. People being crucified, drowned, or in other ways tormented due to either their faith or as some sort of punishment.

In any case, what I did find a little interesting was the supposed Scream inspiration. Sure, it is given by the two killers, but the actual planned murders have little to do with the movies. Just wanted to point that out, in case you expect them to be wearing Ghostface masks and make strange phone calls to their victims.

Watch The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story on Hulu now

The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story is produced by Lone Wolf Media for ABC News Studios. In my experience, this usually makes for a strong production, and this is no exception. Conor McCarthy and Lisa Quijano Wolfinger are the series directors, and the three episodes of this docu-series are all worth your time.

With this three-part series, there is enough time to follow the arrest, trial, confessions, and eventual life sentences for the two perpetrators. While this documentary series looks at the devastating impact on Cassie’s family, it places a heavy focus on interviews with the parents of the two boys, which I found important as well. Hearing how they experienced it, and how shocked they were.

Finally, rounding out The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story docu-series, we return to Pocatello, Idaho. Here, eighteen years after the murder, we hear from the killers, Brian and Torey, as they reflect on that Friday night.

As a result, we’re all forced to ask ourselves what we believe justice means. Is it justice that a life taken results in life sentences to minors? Or rather, should it make a difference whether a killer is 16 or 26 years old, when the crime is as brutal as it was in the case of the murder of Cassie Stoddart?! I know how I feel, but maybe you’ll have a different opinion? Watch this to find out how you feel.

The Scream Murder: A True Teen Horror Story premieres on Hulu & Hulu on Disney+ on February 11, 2026.