Netflix viewers have labelled a new release as the “most disturbing documentary ever seen”, and it’s currently available to stream. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish has launched on the streaming service and has already climbed to number two in “films today”.
Running for just over ninety minutes, the documentary explores the ordeal of a teenager who becomes tormented by persistent text messages from an anonymous sender. The true crime film transports audiences back to 2020 when 13 year old Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend Owen started receiving mysterious text messages. Following a brief respite, these escalated once more in 2021, featuring threats and abuse spanning 15 months before their family turned to law enforcement for assistance, reports the Mirror.
Ultimately, the perpetrator’s identity was uncovered, with viewers claiming the revelation will “blow your mind”.
A Netflix synopsis hints: “Vulgar. Vicious. Relentless. Anonymous tests torment a teen couple for over a year. Who’s sending them? This documentary investigates the shocking answer.”
Posting on TikTok, one user highlighted the documentary as their latest recommendation, describing it as a “twisty turny documentary with a huge twist”. The user continued: “It looks really good, I will be watching it the second I finish work,” prompting a flood of responses.
One viewer remarked: “This is the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen. You will never see it coming. Shook doesn’t cover it.”
One viewer exclaimed it “blew my mind” while another added: “Watched this last night OMG. Tell me you can’t trust your own shadow.”
In a separate video, a TikTok user urged: “If you haven’t seen it, go see it, it’s insane.”
Another fan wrote: “I had to watch two times because I was in shock and I couldn’t believe what I was watching.”
A person simply described it as “jaw dropping” as fans claim it is a must-see for all ages.
The documentary, directed by Skye Borgman, known for her work on Girl in the Picture and Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser, continues to attract attention as it explores the aftermath and lasting impact of the case.
Speaking to Netflix’s Tudum, director Skye discussed the case, stating: “This (case) is a crazy circumstance, but kids are getting terrible text messages every single day, and they’re dealing with cyberbullying every single day. The FBI might not be getting involved, but they’re dealing with it.”
She continued: “Each and every one of them in the film was so mature about it and so willing to help and willing to try to find out what was happening, despite not being believed, despite having fingers pointed at them. So it’s a bigger message, I think, that all these kids wanted to put out there, and hopefully it’s what the documentary does.”
When questioned about the film’s call to action, Skye advised: “Listen to your kids, understand the threats that are out there, and give them the ability to make good decisions.”
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is streaming on Netflix now.