Netflix could probably be considered a one-stop shop for all things true crime, and this month a new documentary series hits the platform that you aren’t gonna want to miss.
Beauty and the Bester chronicles a real-life event that occurred in 2012 in South Africa, when a man named Thabo Bester was convicted for the rape and murder of Nomfundo Tyhulu, his girlfriend at the time.
But things become far more twisted than that, in a story that rivals the plot of some films.
Watch With Us breaks down why Beauty and the Bester is the one true crime doc you need to watch right now.
The Wild Story Is the Stuff of Movies
In addition to his conviction for the murder of his girlfriend, Bester had been found guilty of rape and robbery one year prior. He had gained himself a moniker among those in the know as the “Facebook rapist” for his means of luring his victims. While serving out his life sentence in prison, a fire broke out in 2022. When authorities found a charred body, Bester was presumed to have perished in the blaze.
But, allegedly, it wasn’t Bester’s body at all — it was the body of another man, and Bester was missing. Bester’s alleged escape had received help from an accomplice and lover: celebrity doctor, Nandipha Magudumana. Bester, having since assumed an alias, remained undetected, living in Johannesburg for a year until the two criminals were caught in 2023. They are currently in custody awaiting trial.
It’s an Engaging and Well-Made Documentary
The documentary is split up into three parts and creates a collage of both the crime and the psychology of the criminals at the center of it. Director Anthony Molyneaux includes testimony from experts and those involved with the case, as well as news clips. He works through the story bit by bit, working through the high-profile case itself and Magudumana’s downfall, while simultaneously examining the inner machinations of their warped coupling.
True crime fans won’t be lacking in any of the most crucial aspects of a great docuseries: Beauty and the Bester has a dramatic plot, fascinating players and real-life plot twists.
The Film Almost Wasn’t Released
Shortly before Beauty and the Bester was set to premiere on Netflix, its subject attempted to block the release of the film. Bester’s lawyers put forth a court bid to halt Beauty and the Bester’s release because it was defamatory and infringed on their right to a fair trial. The court decision was brought down to the wire: the ruling was to be announced by the High Court 30 minutes before the series was set to hit the streaming platform on September 12.
Ultimately, Bester lost his court bid, and Netflix received the ok to premiere its new series as planned. However, it was ruled that the pair could still potentially sue Netflix for defamation.
Beauty and the Bester is now streaming on Netflix.
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