is generally considered a solid, albeit straightforward, true crime documentary that is particularly effective due to its chilling audio recordings of serial killer William Bonin. While it holds a respectable 6.6/10 on IMDb , viewer opinions are split on whether it fully delivers on its promise of "lost tapes". Key Highlights
The documentary is currently available to stream on platforms like Discovery+ and HBO Max . The Freeway Killer: Lost Murder Tapes
: Viewers noted that the editing is tight and the archival news reels and pictorials provide significant historic value. Common Criticisms : Viewers noted that the editing is tight
: Some critics on IMDb felt the documentary followed a standard, repetitive cycle of "murder, tape excerpt, expert interview" that became predictable by the end. Reviewers find his voice "calm and cheerful" as
: The core of the documentary features excerpts from confession tapes recorded before Bonin's trial. Reviewers find his voice "calm and cheerful" as he describes horrific acts, which provides a disturbing look into his psychology.
: A frequent complaint on sites like Letterboxd is that while the tapes are the main "hook," they only make up a small portion of the 1 hour and 28 minute runtime.