Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes - trailers, release date, photos, plot & more

11 February 2019, 12:34 | Updated: 11 February 2019, 12:37

The docu-series features previously unheard interviews with the killer on death row.

Netflix’s Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is a shocking new documentary series that looks into the life and mind of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy.

It features previously unheard interviews, taken on death row, with the man that confessed to murdering 30 women between 1974 and 1978 across seven US states.

When is it set for release?

All four episodes were released on Netflix on January 24th 2019, which was 30 years to the day since Bundy was executed.

Is it a film or documentary?

The Ted Bundy Tapes is a documentary series. It features interviews between him and journalists Stephen Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth, taken while Bundy was on death row in Florida.

A separate film based on the serial killer premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 26 January. It’s called Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile and stars Zac Efron as Bundy.

The film is yet to have a UK release date.

What will it be about?

The tapes are a set of audio recordings made by the two journalists, beginning from their first meeting in January 1980. The interviews left Michaud and Aynesworth with over 100 hours of audio.

They wrote two books based on their meetings with the serial killer. The first book was called ‘The Only Living Witness’ and was written as a biography that reported on the death row interviews. The series is based on the second book titled ‘Conversations With a Killer’ which was published shortly after Bundy was executed.

As well examining Bundy’s death row interviews, the series delves into the killer’s history, character and the nature of the horrific crimes he committed. It examines how his appearance and background challenged the stereotype of normal serial killers and how Bundy used this to try to manipulate people.

What are the reactions so far?

While the series has attracted a substantial amount of interest, the reviews have been mixed. Some viewers have commented that the docu-series can be quite tedious in parts and others are worried about the overt focus placed on Bundy’s ‘good looks’.

Netflix had to step in after a number of viewers took to social media to react to the supposed 'hotness' of Bundy. In a Twitter post, the streaming service had to remind people that he is a convicted serial murderer and not someone to look at in a positive light.

Netflix wrote: “I’ve seen a lot of talk about Ted Bundy’s alleged hotness and would like to gently remind everyone that there are literally THOUSANDS of hot men on the service – almost all of whom are not convicted, serial murderers.”

I've seen a lot of talk about Ted Bundy’s alleged hotness and would like to gently remind everyone that there are literally THOUSANDS of hot men on the service — almost all of whom are not convicted serial murderers
— Netflix US (@netflix) January 28, 2019