Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet (2022) User Reviews

It's definitely a varied, interesting series.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 30 July 2022]

When virtual becomes reality, crimes that have one thing in common, all done behind the screen of an online shield.

It can be hard at first to see how the series fits, to piece it together, and to be honest there's no need to.

It will evoke several different emotions, disgust, shock, awe and definitely curiosity. Two episodes revolted me for different reasons, I'm sure I don't need to highlight which they are, if you've watched the series, you'll know the ones.

Prepare to meet some hideous, awful human beings, again I don't need to say who, but how on Earth these people get attention, and a following is beyond me.

For me, the highlight was The Stingray, a mind blowing two parter, which I found truly jaw dropping.

It's very well made, it's so well put together, it's one of those shows that you could easily binge watch over a day or so, I did.

7/10.

A few good ones

[Calicodreamin · 6/10 · 21 June 2022]

A few really good episodes and a few not so good. Editing was a bit disjointed, some topics brought up that weren't followed through. Decent production value though and overall an insightful look at the dark side of how the internet can be used.

Good basic info

[ejhorne · 5/10 · 7 August 2022]

Good basic information about how technology is misused by criminals. I was not so keen at all about what appeared to me to be glorification of Rigmaiden's cleverness he used to mitigate his blatantly criminal behavior. Frankly, he disgusts me and his story didn't warrant two episodes.

Exposing the dark side of the internet

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 18 June 2022]

As Episode 1 of "Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet" (2022 release; 6 episodes of about 55-60 min each) opens, an online gamer who feels insulted places a 911 hoax call and as a result a SWAT team goes to the house of the guy who "insulted" the online gamer. We learn quickly that this so-called "swatting" is a widespread practice in the e-gaming industry and it leads eventually to a tragic death of an innocent bystander, Who to hold accountable? At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this mini-series is directed by longtime documentarian Brian Knappenberger and executive-produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. In other words: some serious talent is attached to this mini-series. The 6 episodes are unrelated to each other, but of course with one central theme: the disinformation that is the cancer of the internet. This is best highlighted in Episode 2, which looks at the murder of DNC staffer Set Ruth in July, 2016, and how this sickening event eventually was kidnapped by right wing conspiracy entrepreneurs and eventually by FOX News (of course!), without any concern for the parents of Seth Rich.(FOX eventually settled a law suit brought by Seth Ruth's parents about this in the millions, because of course FOX didn't do anything wrong LOL.) I wish I could say this is one of the more shameful episodes of FOX News, but alas, it merely showcases what FOX News is its very core: a well-oiled machine of disinformation of the highest order, if not outright lies, all in the name of making mega-profits. This Episode 2 should be required viewing for all and I rate it 8 stars. I rate the overall series a very solid 7 stars.

"Web Of Make Believe" premiered on Netflix recently, and I just caught up with it. (There was an in-depth story on NPR just the other day about that Episode 2 "A Murder in D. C." that is very much worth seeking out.) If you like true crime documentaries, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Some episodes good (1 , 4 and 5) , some uninteresting (2 and 3)

[bazookamouth-221-898097 · 6/10 · 21 June 2022]

Watchable series. Some episodes more interesting than others. I didnt like Nazi episode very much, but the Swatting, Sextortion and Stingray episodes were pretty good although not sure why Stingray had to be two episodes.

Two stars for the effort and excessive drama

[suripat · 7/10 · 25 June 2022]

This is probably the pinnacle of American TV: excessive drama. Starts gripping until it gets unwatchable. Reminds me of similar cable TV programs, those being the reason I cancelled cable 10 years ago.

A decent documentary series

[groundzero-273-397110 · 6/10 · 21 September 2022]

This is a documentary series, consisting of six episodes with five different stories, because the last story is a two-parter. It had some good episodes, and some not so good.

I liked the first episode about swatting, and how crazy things can get really fast, with a deadly result, just because of a hoax 911 call. It also shows some police brutality about this trigger happy S. W. A. T. cop.

Episode 2 and 3 was kinda boring.

Episode 4 was okey. I had not heard the word Sextortion before, so that was something new. It is disgusting to see what kind of creeps that exists out there, hiding behind their computer.

The other story that I really liked was the last story, the two-parter, about The Stingray. I had no idea about how it worked, so that was interesting to see. Maybe it was a bit too long with some unnecessary scenes, but still good.

An eye-opener

[Michael Fargo · 10/10 · 27 June 2022]

Interesting that so many reviews point to "left-wing" propaganda when only one of the episodes in this well-made anthology focuses on the Alt-Right's use of the Internet to spread their...propoganda. The other episodes don't involve politics, but shows actual cases of the use/misuse of the World Wide Web for criminal behavior that is difficult to investigate for smaller law enforcement agencies, and overwhelms larger agenies because it's so extensive. The point that the platform of the Internet which is so intertwined with modern living is also a place where dark--even deadly--forces lurk is very well illustrated. (Note: the cries of "bias" in reviews here never cite one exxample of what they feel is a misrepresentation.)

Absolute fake!!!!!( LIAR of ep 3)

[trefarrell · 1 July 2022]

I'm sorry but not sorry. She is a faker. She is doing this to not get charged in someway for her hate rallies and now "she" is the victim!?!?! Enjoy the world you have created!!!!! I don't believe a word she says at all! I was brought up in this hate and never agreed. You can tell when someone has seen the light and hates the hate they had. She is just trying not to get a record!!!! F her fing faker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go be a sub to your Arian no job having judgmental hateful boyfriend!!!!!! Ugh just ugh f ing sociopath YOU R THE VILIAN!!!!!!

Meh...

[TARSL · 6/10 · 23 June 2022]

Episodes 1, 4, 5 and 6 were good.

Episode 2 was terrible. Who cares how news corporations handle such a case? Especially Fox News...

Didn't watch Episode 3 based on already bad reviews. Couldn't take another bad episode after Episode 2.

Started strong, turned out being just more one way traffic

[There-I-Said-it · 3/10 · 22 June 2022]

The first episode did a good job of exposing how toxic online behavior can be and how it can jump from virtual reality into the real world.

Unfortunately the next few episodes (that I struggled to make it through) have a clear political slant that overshadows the subject matter.

The second episode is about Seth Rich's murder. He was the DNC staffer that was killed around the time of the election. They then proceed for the hour runtime labeling things misinformation and conspiracies as well as discrediting people. No time on the actual murder, no time looking at things from all angles, just one way traffic to clear a political party of having any part of it.

Every form of media seems to be more interested in editorials and opinions rather than just sharing the facts. This is not something that is mutually exclusive to any one side, try as they might to make it seem as such. My patience is really wearing thin with Netfix.

MUST WATCH EPISODE 5 & 6!!!!

[entourage-38122 · 10/10 · 16 June 2022]

The only truly interesting episodes are 5 & 6 that are about Daniel Rigmaiden, known as the The Hacker that the FBI, IRS, Postal Inspector, and Secret Service couldn't identify even after eluding the FBI with their money in front of their eyes that they mailed to him. This guy has gotta be the most interesting cyber-criminal I've heard of. Over $4 million of returns filed, especially after representing himself and disclosing the Feds most secret surveillance Stingray device at the time. Simply a brilliant genius, and that's coming out of mouths of the federal detectives that investigated and attempted to prosecute him. Every one of us should know what he exposed the what and how of the what government was using to violate our 4th amendment because it affects us all. I'm super intrigued and curious to know what this guy is currently up to. Represented himself in federal court and got a plea of his lifetime. Supposedly he is out in the free world.. Wonder what that guy is up to these days..... Just saying...

Death within the Internet

[tpsimpleman · 7/10 · 7 December 2023]

"Web of Make-Believe: Death, Lies, Internet" is a gripping documentary that delves into the complex and often dangerous world of online deception. The film sheds light on the alarming prevalence of fake news, misinformation, and the manipulation of truth in the digital age.

Through a series of interviews and real-life examples, the documentary exposes the devastating consequences of online lies and their impact on individuals, communities, and even political landscapes. It underscores the power of social media platforms and their ability to spread false narratives that can shape public opinion and incite violence.

The film also explores the psychological aspects of online deception, examining the motivations behind creating and perpetuating falsehoods. It raises important questions about the ethics of online behavior and the responsibility of individuals and tech companies in combating misinformation.

"Web of Make-Believe: Death, Lies, Internet" serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk in the virtual world and the urgent need for critical thinking, media literacy, and responsible online engagement. It is a thought-provoking documentary that will leave viewers questioning the authenticity of the information they encounter online and the potential consequences of unchecked deception.

Dragged too much

[opotraining · 2/10 · 24 June 2022]

Each story can be completed in 30 mins but it's dragged for 1 hr. The recreation videos of victim was totally not needed. The trailer doesn't do justice to the content.

It may be slow in places but it's a wealth of information

[valerieh-1 · 10/10 · 27 June 2022]

It may be slow in places but it's a wealth of information. I recommend watching episode one, episode five and six. What an eye-opener. You can understand why there's so much fighting on the Internet. It's a direct evolution from the gaming world. Episodes five and six give you Inside into petty crime and fraud however, the government violates right to privacy.

This was incredibly dragged out

[frosty-44431 · 2/10 · 19 June 2022]

I wasn't too sure about this, first and 2nd episodes are alright. Then it became boring and lackluster and really didn't tell a great story!

Not worth a watch in my opinion.

Well worth it and incredible stories

[julymermaid · 9/10 · 20 June 2022]

I started out on this one very sceptical due to the ratings and the first episode with the music and all the drama felt very exaggerated. But things definitely picked up a notch from the second episode onwards and episodes 5 and 6 were absolutely incredible. It's a 7 from me but I wanted to balance out the negative reviews on here (unnecessary in my view -and politically motivated) which don't seem to be about the quality of the real life documentary at all.

If they'd done away with the tacky recreations where they had the people themselves telling stories, it would have been a solid 8 from me. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and the truth is stranger than fiction quality keeps you hooked. I can't help but wonder how some of these criminals are so incredibly smart and what they stand to achieve if given a constructive and positive start in life.

I can't even get through episode three

[Real_Mrs_JonSnow · 1/10 · 23 June 2022]

I've watched nearly three episodes of this joke of a show. The first episode was interesting. The second episode was just boring, repetitive, and one sided. This third episode is ridiculous. Where's your episode on the creepy gender ideology activists? Because there's a ton of conspiracies to look into there. Every episode so far has been about the evil far right. Where's the balance? There's plenty of evil happening in the far left as well. I'm not conservative, far from it. Almost all my beliefs coincide with liberal thinking. However, things like this that are so obviously biased really annoy me. Shows that are created with a clear agenda in mind to convince naive people that the big bad republicans are out to get you. They're not. What a waste of time this show was. Netflix is ran by idiots.

Great show

[edwinwins · 10/10 · 21 June 2022]

The 3rd episode is about Nazis on the internet and you can tell by these reviews that they have noticed. It does a great job exposing the violence and hate that is emblematic of their movement. It shows how they talk in private when they think they won't be called out for their most vile, hateful rhetoric... So it shouldn't be a surprise that they are going out of their way to review bomb it.

My suggestion? Don't just watch the 3rd episode... show it to your friends and family. Help expose these monsters for who they are. They are desperate for you not to find out.

The irony...

[spaulagain · 1/10 · 21 June 2022]

This show epitomizes what it claims to expose. Guarantee the show runners are more guilty of being radicalized by the Twitter blue checkmarks and media than most of the subjects in this show.

Propaganda beget propaganda...

Well done series.

[aarpcats · 8/10 · 15 June 2022]

Internet hoaxes and disinformation are not abstract ideas or victimless crimes. From the deaths of innocent people because a disaffected loser decided to "swat" a family (and the idiot police department overreacted) to to the election of Donald Trump after glutting social media with BS about Hillary Clinton, the series shows just how slowly human beings are responding to a virtual world where lies are as believable as the truth. It's scary stuff.

The scariest part is that we have no real way to control it. The internet has become our agent of everything from love to depression. The message of the series is that we ignore its influence at our own peril.

Boring. Weird energy. Good for background noise.

[rashelismyname · 3/10 · 23 June 2022]

This was a weird show & got real political out of nowhere. Feel like there are other stories that couldve been covered for this series, but seems the stories chosen were on purpose to get people in their feels (see other reviews) . As someone who doesn't give a hoot about politics, this was very lackluster & really is a show about how law enforcement are always the hero. IMO not worth the time unless you just want some sound on.

Did the cop's friends & family write these bad reviews?

[hromag · 8/10 · 22 June 2022]

Don't listen to the conservatives whining in these bad reviews. They get triggered by logic. The documentary provides a wide range of information that you can further research yourself. It's far less one sided than the right wingers are insinuating. If at the very least, these are stories by people who were deeply affected by horrifying circumstances.

The fraudulent criminal is the hero

[mossfan18 · 1/10 · 23 June 2022]

As a fan of documentaries, I can truly and honestly say, this is the worst, most one sided piece of garbage production I've ever seen. Not an exaggeration. I am talking about episodes 5 and 6.

I should have looked at reviews first...this is truly an insult to good people everywhere.

If you are law abiding citizen, you will hate this. This dude Daniel is a scumbag. No amount of happy piano music with shots of BLM protesters cut with his face will change that.

Dude was a con artist, full stop.

The scary part of the internet

[wesleyvanroose · 9/10 · 5 July 2022]

A eye opening documentary about how the dangers of the internet like the use of proganda ranging from government to neo nazi's. How they use lies and algorithm to keep people getting deeper in to lies. Or how someone uses the internet to get police at someone's door.