I have to say I'm shocked by the others stating this wasn't good! I watched the first 3 episodes available and I was shook. In fact I'm upset I have to wait for the next 3 episodes. I love the format and the twists and turns and a story inside a story. For someone who loves the true crime genre it's hard to find new content and when I do it's usually very slow or lately in another language where I have to read subtitles. I wish I could find more docs from Blumhouse!
37 Reviews
Great Docu leaving many questions
lhmosca29 July 2021
I thought this was really well done. Sure, it might have been a little long, but aren't they all? The questions this raises is astounding. Just when you're pretty sure you know the truth, bam! Another bombshell is dropped. There's literally not one person who is trustworthy in this saga. Including her family. Is she alive? Is she dead? It's very likely we'll never know the truth.
Very unique
nick12123531 July 2021
Honestly no idea why there are so many bad reviews on here, I think they may have been expecting something else. This is extremely interesting, it's a look into the seedy underbelly of a rural town infested with drugs and gang violence, and people who lie and deceive everyone around them and possibly even themselves. If you were coming here thinking you're gonna get the classic tragic girl gone missing story I can see why you may have been disappointed.
Addicting True Crime Doc With A Unique Message
emagnuson-474554 July 2021
While the filming may be amateurish, it actually works in the documentary's favor - giving it an immersive feel that bodes well with its theme of the chaos and confusion many families and investigators experience. The editing also favors ambiguity in the storytelling, occasionally leaving the audience as confused as the actual subjects - but again this is a feature, not a big. Many documentaries feel too polished, like the filmmaker is only allowing the viewer into a pre-determined path and conclusion. The director (Fontana) does not treat her audience like children in need of guidance, but rather gives them what she sees and allows them to come to their own conclusions. It feels more like you're part of the investigation rather than along for the ride. This may make for a bumpier ride, but it allows the audience to see and feel more what it's like to be involved in a missing persons investigation by leaving in raw material polished documentaries would have cut.
Some of the reviewers giving this 1 star seem to not understand the point of leaving some of this raw material in (such as sources that may not be trustworthy). Fake witnesses crawling out of the woodwork for either attention or money is something that families and investigators actually have to deal with, but mostly get left out of final cuts. The point of this documentary is to show the gritty and confusing aspects of solving a case. If you're the type of person who needs your hand held and to be told exactly what to think (like some of the negative reviewers), this won't be for you. If, however, you like to piece things together yourself and are ok with ambiguity, you'll love this.
Some of the reviewers giving this 1 star seem to not understand the point of leaving some of this raw material in (such as sources that may not be trustworthy). Fake witnesses crawling out of the woodwork for either attention or money is something that families and investigators actually have to deal with, but mostly get left out of final cuts. The point of this documentary is to show the gritty and confusing aspects of solving a case. If you're the type of person who needs your hand held and to be told exactly what to think (like some of the negative reviewers), this won't be for you. If, however, you like to piece things together yourself and are ok with ambiguity, you'll love this.
Pretty good
mcintoshlindsey2 July 2021
I live very close to Hannibal and have been following this case ever since I heard of her disappearance, I actually think that Christina Fontana did a wonderful job on the documentary! I can't wait to watch the next 3 episodes. And I think the whole idea of this is so people can be aware of the things that can happen even in small towns like Hannibal, and all the secrets that are kept. I couldn't imagine being a parent and not having some kind of closure on my child's disappearance! I mean somebody has to know something, and it's ashamed that these folks have to live their life every single day not knowing where or what happened to their daughter! Could you as a parent imagine living your life this way every single day for 12 years?? I would be out of my mind. Someone knows something, these parents deserve closure, don't you think?
A sad story
bekksruth14 July 2021
What's even sadder and more pathetic is the people below commenting disgusting comments about the family, and Christina. You guys need therapy; you have some deep rooted issues to not view humans who are flawed to be worthy of being found and helped. Please get medical assistance.
Mockumentary?
jackak-2075320 July 2021
Soooo TWISTY!
ericasimmons-752275 July 2021
Problematic. A blunt review with spoilers
loveandthunderstorms14 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Ooh where to start...I don't like being reductive but people read reviews because they're curious if a show is worth their time. So that's my goal here. Major spoilers ahead.
Basically, this show is a perfect example of what would happen if you took an earnest and dedicated but extremely naive armchair detective/documentarian from L. A., plopped them down in a somewhat rural southern community they know nothing about and watched them slowly lose their mind as they spin their wheels running after every rumor that comes their way. Christina Fontana seems like a very caring and compassionate individual. And I believe that is her ultimate downfall. In this show, you'll watch her make mistakes over and over again over the course of 10 years. You read that right, she becomes obsessed with this case for 10 yrs. And according to this show, is still driving herself mad over it to this day. She refuses to believe for a second that she's being taken advantage of by the victim's family, despite the fact that her own footage shows the family matriarch changing her statements, contradicting herself, altering her statements to fit whatever topic and mood is present. Fontana even admits to not reviewing all of the evidence in her possession. If she had, she would've known the family was lying to her from day 1.
But the family is just a fraction of the problems here. Fontana becomes way too emotionally involved. She gets too close to both the victim's family and the other people she works with on this project. She doesn't seem to vet anyone. A volunteer "retired" cop begins assisting her but she never researches him or questions his motives. His involvement does nothing but ramp up the drama before ending tragically. Her questions during interviews are also problematic, as she rattles off names of people she suspects of being the perpetrator to anonymous callers claiming to have information. Her methods of research are so messy and fraught with issues, it negates any validity that may be contained in the body of her work. While the Hannibal Police Department certainly come across as shady and corrupt, it also seems like they're just sitting back, letting Fontana spin her wheels and taking bets on how much longer she'll last. By the time I reached the 5th episode, I got the feeling that a lot of what she's gathered is mostly bs. But if you step back and take a broader view of everything, a picture emerges that we can only say, "this is what most likely happened". Just short of finding the girl's body, I think that's the best it's ever going to get. By the time I reached the final episode, I also felt drained and frustrated. Just like the silly paranormal shows and mysteries that get dragged out with no conclusion, this show is no different. The missing girl isn't found, nothing has panned out and you're left looking at a drained, obsessed woman, no closer to the truth than she was in the beginning, weighed down by rumors impossible to prove/disprove. She has dedicated her time, money, patience and sanity with nothing to show for it except a clickbait program that only serves to stir up drama.
Overall, a slightly interesting armchair detective series that won't resolve anything, will leave you frustrated at the end and might be more enjoyable if you watch just to see this person spin her wheels over every local rumor from questionable sources. Watch at your own risk.
Basically, this show is a perfect example of what would happen if you took an earnest and dedicated but extremely naive armchair detective/documentarian from L. A., plopped them down in a somewhat rural southern community they know nothing about and watched them slowly lose their mind as they spin their wheels running after every rumor that comes their way. Christina Fontana seems like a very caring and compassionate individual. And I believe that is her ultimate downfall. In this show, you'll watch her make mistakes over and over again over the course of 10 years. You read that right, she becomes obsessed with this case for 10 yrs. And according to this show, is still driving herself mad over it to this day. She refuses to believe for a second that she's being taken advantage of by the victim's family, despite the fact that her own footage shows the family matriarch changing her statements, contradicting herself, altering her statements to fit whatever topic and mood is present. Fontana even admits to not reviewing all of the evidence in her possession. If she had, she would've known the family was lying to her from day 1.
But the family is just a fraction of the problems here. Fontana becomes way too emotionally involved. She gets too close to both the victim's family and the other people she works with on this project. She doesn't seem to vet anyone. A volunteer "retired" cop begins assisting her but she never researches him or questions his motives. His involvement does nothing but ramp up the drama before ending tragically. Her questions during interviews are also problematic, as she rattles off names of people she suspects of being the perpetrator to anonymous callers claiming to have information. Her methods of research are so messy and fraught with issues, it negates any validity that may be contained in the body of her work. While the Hannibal Police Department certainly come across as shady and corrupt, it also seems like they're just sitting back, letting Fontana spin her wheels and taking bets on how much longer she'll last. By the time I reached the 5th episode, I got the feeling that a lot of what she's gathered is mostly bs. But if you step back and take a broader view of everything, a picture emerges that we can only say, "this is what most likely happened". Just short of finding the girl's body, I think that's the best it's ever going to get. By the time I reached the final episode, I also felt drained and frustrated. Just like the silly paranormal shows and mysteries that get dragged out with no conclusion, this show is no different. The missing girl isn't found, nothing has panned out and you're left looking at a drained, obsessed woman, no closer to the truth than she was in the beginning, weighed down by rumors impossible to prove/disprove. She has dedicated her time, money, patience and sanity with nothing to show for it except a clickbait program that only serves to stir up drama.
Overall, a slightly interesting armchair detective series that won't resolve anything, will leave you frustrated at the end and might be more enjoyable if you watch just to see this person spin her wheels over every local rumor from questionable sources. Watch at your own risk.
First three episodes are a waste of time
tpnngvkvj2 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Avid docuseries watcher and true crime enthusiast, this series was a waste because the film maker did not do her research in advance therefore taking us on a three episode spree that unfolds with the filmmaker realizing the family could not be trusted. If she did her research beforehand this could have been one episode and done. For example, why didn't she look up Christina's arrest records in advance? Why didn't she interviewed family in advance? Before you decide to invest your money to find a missing person, wouldn't you look into these things beforehand?
Relentless is perfect name!!
jferh12 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Wow wow wow!! This is a fabulous documentary by Christina Fontana. Really hun you did such a good job!!
It's about a missing person, Christina Whitaker from Hannibal MO. Never would of heard of her hadn't it been for the doc. I feel like both Christina's are my sisters And I can't wait each Monday to see a new episode. This is an eye opener to all that missing cases can happen anywhere. Small towns all have skeletons - many more then big cities and Hannibal is clearly no different. I feel HPD is hiding so much and many are crooked. One officer quit cuz of crooked crap. In Christina's case they likely will never come forward with the truth until there conscience (if they have) gets the best of them. But each episode does come back to HPD. More often then any other suspect. Whether it's because she was a CI or they mishandled things and got lazy. It's on them. Partly why so many police cannot he trusted. Who can we trust when those labeled "protect and serve" don't do the job? I think HPD messed up and had her taken out. But will ever know. Thoughts and prayers to the family. I hope she is found regardless for closure and I pray her daughter does not follow the same path.
The documentary was good. Had me feeling like I was part of investigation. Very good!
It's about a missing person, Christina Whitaker from Hannibal MO. Never would of heard of her hadn't it been for the doc. I feel like both Christina's are my sisters And I can't wait each Monday to see a new episode. This is an eye opener to all that missing cases can happen anywhere. Small towns all have skeletons - many more then big cities and Hannibal is clearly no different. I feel HPD is hiding so much and many are crooked. One officer quit cuz of crooked crap. In Christina's case they likely will never come forward with the truth until there conscience (if they have) gets the best of them. But each episode does come back to HPD. More often then any other suspect. Whether it's because she was a CI or they mishandled things and got lazy. It's on them. Partly why so many police cannot he trusted. Who can we trust when those labeled "protect and serve" don't do the job? I think HPD messed up and had her taken out. But will ever know. Thoughts and prayers to the family. I hope she is found regardless for closure and I pray her daughter does not follow the same path.
The documentary was good. Had me feeling like I was part of investigation. Very good!
The Mother has issues
aniceguy198816 August 2021
Could have been better
kevinbrown-225 January 2022
I watch a lot of shows like this. I think there is just way too much wasted time talking about: a) nothing, or, b) the same thing over and over again. Better editing to about 3 hrs total instead of 6 would have improved this series immensely.
Very interesting
ccallaghan-3469026 July 2021
As a bug true crime fan, I like how as you watch this documentary you feel as your learning about the case as the creator is. There are millions of twists which make it really interesting to watch. Can't wait to keep watching !!
A fascinating deep dive into very cloudy water...
DebraIonaVogel12 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A 21 year old woman, Christina Whittaker, from Hannibal, MO has disappeared. Years go by and still no sign of her.
We meet Christina Fontana, a writer, director and film maker who meets the missing woman's family, her mother, and jumps in with both feet.
Our documentarian, Christina Fontana, is tenacious and not one to give up easily. She followed lead after lead, only to keep hitting brick walls.
Something isn't right here. The mother of the missing girl isn't giving us the whole story. The Hannibal police department seems to be going out of their way to do nothing and purposefully confuse the case.
Relentless is Christina Fontana's absolutely fascinating decade long investigation into where Christina Whitaker went and what happened to her.
All we know for sure is that somebody is lying. That "somebody" being everybody-the family, friends and the police.
This is a must see 6 part series. Hats of to Ms. Fontana who got further than anyone ever has in finding the missing woman, whom sadly, still remains missing. Great, great series!
We meet Christina Fontana, a writer, director and film maker who meets the missing woman's family, her mother, and jumps in with both feet.
Our documentarian, Christina Fontana, is tenacious and not one to give up easily. She followed lead after lead, only to keep hitting brick walls.
Something isn't right here. The mother of the missing girl isn't giving us the whole story. The Hannibal police department seems to be going out of their way to do nothing and purposefully confuse the case.
Relentless is Christina Fontana's absolutely fascinating decade long investigation into where Christina Whitaker went and what happened to her.
All we know for sure is that somebody is lying. That "somebody" being everybody-the family, friends and the police.
This is a must see 6 part series. Hats of to Ms. Fontana who got further than anyone ever has in finding the missing woman, whom sadly, still remains missing. Great, great series!
Solid With Compelling Twists
helenahandbasket-9373427 December 2021
It's rare to find true crime docs that can hold your interest for this many episodes and engage for every single episode, but this one definitely cracked the code.
There's some insanely stupid people involved; some you wish were locked up, some you'll wish were wiped from the face of the earth, some who've been wildly abused by this family, and anywhere in between, but the story is good, and her storytelling abilities are undeniable.
More of this type of work, please!
There's some insanely stupid people involved; some you wish were locked up, some you'll wish were wiped from the face of the earth, some who've been wildly abused by this family, and anywhere in between, but the story is good, and her storytelling abilities are undeniable.
More of this type of work, please!
What's really going on here?
vsveig18 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I went into this documentary thinking it would be another missing person-story.
It is about a missing woman, Christina Whittaker but the series has so many odd twists and turns i had to rewatch the second episode only to confirm what i just watched was really true.
There are a few things that raised some red flags for me.
1. When the filmmaker interviewed the parents of Christina, they seem oddly indifferent.
They're smiling and laughing like it's just another normal day, and that don't sit right with me.
2. The lies and disinformation spread by the victims own family.
I have never seen anything like it!
I'm watching from Norway and have only seen 2 episodes.
Thus far it has been an interesting study in the lenghts certain people will go to to have it their way.
Can't wait for the conclusion(if there is one?) I have made an effort not looking up this case i social media because it is a very exciiting and thought-provoking series.
This is really something to behold.
Recommended for true crime-buffs and armchair detectives like myself.
It is about a missing woman, Christina Whittaker but the series has so many odd twists and turns i had to rewatch the second episode only to confirm what i just watched was really true.
There are a few things that raised some red flags for me.
1. When the filmmaker interviewed the parents of Christina, they seem oddly indifferent.
They're smiling and laughing like it's just another normal day, and that don't sit right with me.
2. The lies and disinformation spread by the victims own family.
I have never seen anything like it!
I'm watching from Norway and have only seen 2 episodes.
Thus far it has been an interesting study in the lenghts certain people will go to to have it their way.
Can't wait for the conclusion(if there is one?) I have made an effort not looking up this case i social media because it is a very exciiting and thought-provoking series.
This is really something to behold.
Recommended for true crime-buffs and armchair detectives like myself.
don't watch if you hate shows that end on cliffhangers
resolecca30 December 2021
Enjoyable but hated the ending, although i wasn't expecting her to solve the case by the end of the series, i also wasn't expecting the show to end on such a literal cliff hanger. Yes i realize that until the case is solved the series ending would always leave alot of unanswered questions. But to literally end the last episode just after someone completely new giving a completely new theory comes on the scene and then cutting them off halfway through what they were saying, didn't make any sense at all. I had to check the imdb page to make sure i hadn't missed an episode (i hadn't) but there better be another episode if not season coming to resolve this cliffhanger. Other than that a good watch.
Amazing!!
sarah_lou_r1317 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is such an amazing investigative docuseries and I have watched many! It's by far in my top 5 ! So many twists and turns and I genuinely felt it did a great job exposing the toxic environment in Hannibal and Christina's home life, I feel like this documentary may encourage the investigation to move forward and finding where she is. There are two problems that left me concerned afterwards, who's remains were found in the dig If it was human remains I feel like someone needs to go back to that location, I was a little frustrated with the fact ALL the bones and the evidence was handed to the HPD I feel a bone should have been kept and sent to an independent lab to be analysed! Also Christina's daughter she is still living there with an alleged sexual predator I strongly believe Christina's friends are being truthful about Christina's past and feel very concerned for her daughter. I hope the production team keep in touch with her as history may sadly repeat itself. I hope there are more episodes/seasons regarding the up coming dig. Well done there needs to be more docuseries like this shedding light and having a deep dive into a case as I feel 1hour is not enough.
Don't waste your time
pejashco23 July 2021
The woman who made this documentary has absolutely no investigative background and is completely void of investigative skills. She believes everything that is told to her about this disappearance, no matter how insane a theory it may be. She then tries to make the evidence fit the theory. She is either the most gullible human on earth or she was hoping for a crazy story to try and make her famous. After more then ten years of investigating, she still can't find any evidence of anything that happened. Geraldo found more evidence in Al Capones vault then this woman. DO NOT WATCH THIS. I'm doing you a favor. I wish someone had warned me. A complete and utter waste of time.
Very Good Doc of a True-Life Crime
marpel10174 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I believe this is a very well made documentary. While Fontana, who is researching the disappearance of this girl is a "green horn" and doesn't know anything about investigating, her enthusiasm is commendable. Presently, I live in a small town in Louisiana, and the townspeople are clickish, gossipy, opinionated and generally of the same mentality as Hannable, MO. Nothing will ever be solved because of this, but it was interesting to watch this girl find out what real life is all about. She was so gullible, but I'm hoping this investigation taught her a little bit of what life really is. The documentary is well worth the time spent watching all six installments, but don't expect a miracle.
So crazy!!
kmarie-369106 January 2022
This is the first show I have ever reviewed, but I had to put my opinion out here because this was absolutely insane. There was so much drama and so many twists and turns to this case, I was speechless and actually said "what the f@$&" out loud multiple times. Definitely worth the watch and Christina Fontana did a great job with this!
10/10 Brilliant!
zoerenacre22 November 2021
Couldn't watch it fast enough, got through it in one day! Felt like I was right there with Victoria, so raw, so real... Will definitely rewatch soon and will look out for anymore from this talented filmmaker! Thank you Victoria and thank you for putting your life and soul into something so selfless to help others...*********
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
