Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story Review
A recent documentary series on Netflix, Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story, has been criticised for adding nothing new to our understanding of the horrific crimes committed by the serial killer couple. The three-part series has been accused of being superficial and exploitative, with many questioning the point of such documentaries.
According to a review in The Guardian, the series is part of the "point and gasp" school of true crime documentaries, which "adds nothing to our understanding of a terrible crime or of those who committed it, nothing to our safety as individuals or as a society, nothing except our appetite for voyeurism and the normalisation of it" [1]. The reviewer argues that the series is little more than a summarisation of a bleak and terrible tale, without providing any new insights or perspectives.
The series tells the story of the discovery of the bodies of nine young women buried under the patio and in the basement of 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester, home to Fred, Rose, and their 10 children. The first episode, titled "Fred", covers the discovery of the bodies and features Fred’s voice on police interview tapes as he is questioned about the murders. The second episode, "Rose", focuses on the police efforts to find evidence that would tie her to the killings. The final episode outlines the trial, where Rose was found guilty of 10 counts of murder and given a life sentence.
The reviewer criticises the series for not delving deeper into the backgrounds of the killers, the psychology of their relationship, and whether the world would have been different if they had not met. The series also glosses over the system’s failure to prosecute Fred West for rape early on in his murderous career. As the reviewer notes, "The best that can be said about the latest three-part testimony to human depravity is that it is superficial."
The series features interviews with officers and relatives who were involved in the case, who say that the experience still haunts them. However, the reviewer argues that the series is more focused on exploiting the horrific nature of the crimes rather than providing a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of the case.
In an interview with The Guardian, a former nanny of the Wests’ children, Caroline Roberts, testified at trial to Rose’s involvement with her own kidnapping and subsequent ordeal. The series also features footage taken by police during Fred’s visits to Cromwell Street, where he guides them around the house and marks the locations of the bodies with spray paint.
The reviewer concludes that the series is pointless and only serves to satisfy our appetite for voyeurism. As they note, "If you are not even calling proper attention to the many, many times authorities had concerns and could have intervened before nine people (at least – Fred suggested there were many more) died in horrific ways, what are you doing? Reminding us that evil can exist? Also pointless."
The documentary series Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story is now available on Netflix.
References:
[1] The Guardian, "Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story review – a pointless exercise in voyeurism" by [Name of the Author], published on May 14, 2025.
