Watch Beware the Slenderman

Beware the Slenderman is a true crime documentary film released by HBO in 2016. The film tells the story of the infamous Slenderman stabbing, which took place in 2014 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The film takes a deep dive into the lives of the two teenage girls, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, who committed the horrific crime. The two girls stabbed their classmate Payton Leutner 19 times in the woods, claiming that they did it to appease the fictional internet character Slenderman.

The documentary features interviews with the families of the girls, as well as footage from their interrogations and court hearings. The filmmakers also speak with experts in the fields of psychiatry and law to try and understand what could drive two young girls to commit such a heinous act.

Throughout the film, the viewers are exposed to the eerie and unsettling world of the Slenderman mythos. The filmmakers explore the origins of the character and how it gained such a strong following on the internet, particularly among young people.

The documentary also delves into the mental illnesses that affected the two girls. Morgan Geyser, in particular, was diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia, which made her see and hear things that weren't really there. The filmmakers use this diagnosis to explore the blurry line between reality and fantasy, and how vulnerable young people can be when they get swept up in certain beliefs or ideas.

One of the most striking elements of the film is how it juxtaposes the horrific nature of the crime with the seemingly mundane lives of the girls and their families. We see Morgan and Anissa as two typical teenagers, obsessed with the internet and pop culture. We see their parents struggling to come to terms with what their daughters did, and trying to support them as they navigate the legal system.

The documentary is a chilling look at how our obsession with the internet and social media can lead us down dark paths. It's also a poignant reminder of the fragility of the human mind, and how mental illness can be both a devastating and misunderstood condition.

Overall, Beware the Slenderman is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that raises important questions about the nature of crime, mental illness, and the internet age. It's a must-see for anyone interested in true crime or social issues, and provides a sobering look at the consequences of our actions in the digital world.