The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox: the true crime series that you really must see
If there is one true crime doc that intrigued me so much, it was the one about Amanda Knox. I watched that documentary in 2016 on Netflix (and it is still available!) and it was so intense and unbelievable that my toes curled in my shoes. The trial was chaotic and so sensationalized. The police had only one vision: Amanda and her then-boyfriend Raffaele were the culprits. While there was hardly any forensic evidence against them, other possible scenarios were quickly ignored.
The bizarre behavior of the Italian prosecution and the tunnel vision of the police did not provide evidence, but only suggestions. Suggestions that really made no sense, such as: “She laughed at the wrong moment,” or “She kissed her boyfriend on the street, so that must be something suspicious.”
Much of the DNA ‘evidence’ later turned out to be contaminated or misinterpreted. A knife was presented as the murder weapon even though there was no blood on it, and Meredith's DNA was only “found” after repeated testing — under very questionable circumstances.
The Italian (and British) press feasted on the story and portrayed Amanda as “Foxy Knoxy,” or: the seductress with a double agenda. This not only influenced public opinion but also the judicial climate. Amanda was interrogated without a translator or lawyer, for hours, in the middle of the night. She later stated that she made statements under pressure that were used against her.
Amanda Knox: the story you thought you knew
Had you ever heard of Amanda Knox? The American exchange student who was suspected of murdering her British roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007 in Perugia, Italy. Her life changed in an instant into a global media hell. From “Foxy Knoxy” to “the murder angel with blue eyes”: everything about Amanda was analyzed. But what we all saw back then was actually the story told by others. In this new series, Amanda wants to set the record straight herself.
True crime with a twist
But! Amanda Knox is back. And now not with a documentary, but with a super exciting series. A glossy drama that makes you think of a mix of Euphoria, The Crown and a bizarre nightmare you just can't escape from. The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox is the title.
Grace Van Patten is Amanda
From the very first scene, you can feel it: Grace Van Patten is Amanda Knox. Not in a copying way, but in a way that is truly 100% accurate. Amanda Knox herself said she got “goosebumps” when she saw Grace play her.
Funny side note: Grace's real sister, Anna Van Patten, also plays her sister in the series.
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Amanda Knox behind the scenes
What makes this series extra special is that Amanda Knox is a co-producer. Yes, she herself sat at the writing table, along with others including Monica Lewinsky (also not exactly a stranger to public humiliation). Together they create a series that is raw, vulnerable, and surprisingly human.
“This is the first time I get to tell my story myself, without anyone coloring it for me.” – Amanda Knox
Fashion and crime: surprisingly stylish
From the fashion to the soundtrack — The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox it is visually a delightful series. The beautiful Italian landscapes, the mega gloomy prison cells, the college outfits with a preppy twist… A series that even feeds your fashion skills. I want that coat. That dress. And also those boots.
More than just a murder case
The beauty is: this series is more than just a murder case. It’s about how the media puts women in a certain box. How your reputation can make or break your life. And about how you have to fight to reclaim your own story. It’s sharp, feminist, and just mega in
And let’s be honest: it’s also just so nice to finally see a true crime where the main character is not a caricature, but a real person.
Even Donald Trump got involved
As if the case wasn't bizarre enough, in 2007 madonna performance stage laughing (then a businessman and reality star) jumped in to defend Amanda Knox. He called the trial a “travesty of justice” and urged Americans to boycott Italian products and travel until Amanda was released. No legal effect, but global headlines and even more evidence of how big the media hype was.
Foxy Knoxy: convicted twice, acquitted twice
What started as a fun exchange project in Perugia turned into a legal Italian drama that lasted eight years. The trial looked like this.
- 2009 – sentenced to 26 years in prison
- 2011 – acquitted and released on appeal
- 2013 – re-convicted by the Court of Cassation
- 2015 – definitively acquitted by the Italian Supreme Court
Ultimately, it was established that *Rudy Guédé* is the only perpetrator in the murder of Meredith Kercher. Guédé is an Ivorian man who had previously come into contact with the police. His *DNA was found in multiple places on and around Meredith's body*, including on her body and clothing. In 2008 he was sentenced to 30 years in prison (later reduced to 16 years). He was released early in 2021.
When is The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox available?
The first episodes of The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox will be available on Disney+ from August 20, 2025, and then a new episode weekly on Wednesdays.
That I can be so annoyed about. Normally I save up all the episodes, but in this case, I’ll take my loss and watch one per week. Grrrrrr.
Oh, and the finale is on October 1, 2025, so mark that in your calendar.
Also read: Netflix docs that make you smarter.
