Netflix tip: The Serpent

Believe it or not, but I was once again in need of some quality on Netflix. Without any shame, I can tell you that I watched The Bold Type all the way through for the second time and the temptation was great to start a bad Dutch movie... But I didn't do it. No, instead I asked around what is truly a must-watch and the answer was unanimous: The Serpent.

Now my true crime-loving heart started beating faster because this miniseries is based on a true story, namely that of serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who was nicknamed the Bikini Killer, the Hippie Killer, and thus The Serpent. He is said to have poisoned as many as twelve holidaymakers.

But this series is very different from the series we are used to. It feels less grim than, for example, When They See Us, but maybe that was also due to the soundtrack and the overall style of the series, which is heavily influenced by the 80s.

Fun fact: there is also a bit of Dutch to be found in The Serpent, in the form of Herman Kippenberg. He is a young diplomat who unexpectedly finds himself in the world of this serial killer. This ultimately brings him to Bangkok, in a quest for this Charles Sobhraj. But also in the form of a Dutch couple (who you actually hear speaking Dutch), who unfortunately have the displeasure of running into this man.

It sounds almost a bit twisted, but despite the fact that it is based on a true story, I found it wonderfully binge-worthy. The style, the actors, the tension... It is truly addictive and of course, this Charles Sobhraj is an incredibly grim guy; this series will definitely lead to sleepless nights. Well, not from the tension at least, but because you don't want to turn it off.