Mastermind

Mastermind (2024) is a captivating blend of psychological tension and razor-sharp storytelling. The film follows a complex web of schemes and betrayals, keeping you guessing at every turn. With its smart dialogue and clever plot twists, it demands your full attention and rewards you with edge-of-your-seat suspense.

The cast delivers stellar performances, especially the lead, who perfectly embodies the cunning and charisma of a true mastermind. The pacing is tight, and the direction is stylish, making every scene feel vital. It's a thrilling exploration of power, manipulation, and the price of ambition. If you love intricate plots and mind games, Mastermind is a must-watch.

When I read about this show online, I was all hyped up for it. But from the opening lines to the end of the second episode (I didn't watch the third) it was a constant struggle to understand what was being said. I understand the interview tapes of victims and killers are of poor quality, but surely there is a way to enhance them. I finally put on over-the-ear headphones and turned them way up to hear the dialogue clearly enough to keep watching. Even the rest of the show's audio was bad. It gave me a whole new appreciation for rape victims then and now -- how tragic that they were rarely heard or believed, or worse, blamed. Hats off to Ms. Burgess for doing the work and making a difference.

After reading the reviews, in particular the reviews regarding episode 3 and the Menendez Brothers Case, some of the reviewers have incorrectly stated that there was no evidence of abuse in the Menendez case. However this is incorrect. There was evidence of abuse including medical reports from the hospital, photos and testimony. The letter from their cousin and Roy Rosello further corroborates this abuse. Please educate yourself before making such incorrect claims. Doctor Ann Burgess is an incredible woman and ahead of her time. Having watched both Mindhunter and Dr Ann Burgess testimony during the Menendez trial it was a welcomed documentary to finally watch.

"Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer" is a 2024 American documentary series directed and produced by Abby Fuller. It explores the career of Ann Burgess, focusing on her work at the FBI developing means of tracking serial killers and other violent criminals based on her novel research into their behaviors. Ann dives deeper into the minds of serial killers, while balancing her life as a mother of four.

The series follows Burgess and her investigations at the FBI into serial killers and their victims.

If you like a tv series based on a true story and a crime documentary, then this is a tv series for you. It is interesting and fascinating.

(Speaking as an aficionado of the true crime genre) I found this documentary to be endearing, educational, and riveting. Dr. Burgess contributed so much to modern Forensic Psychology and her name is rarely spoken in the field.

It also made me re-think my love for the show, "Mindhunter", due to its complete bastardizing of Dr. Burgess' actual lived experience. This woman had 5 children and a husband who became a pilot to ensure that his wife could pursue her high demand career and still be around her small children. That was such an endearing story and the show made her the opposite. (The documentary never discusses the series, however it's pretty obvious that the fictional character is based on her).

10/10 must watch!