If you love a good true-crime binge, Netflix has just dropped something that’s sure to grab your attention — Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes. This three-part docuseries dives into the terrifying story of David Berkowitz, one of America’s most infamous serial killers, who haunted the streets of New York City during the summers of 1976 and 1977.
Known first as the “.44 Caliber Killer” and later by his chilling nickname “Son of Sam”, Berkowitz sent shockwaves through the city when he began randomly shooting people — often young couples sitting in parked cars. His spree left six people dead and many others wounded, sparking fear that gripped the entire city.
What made it worse? The creepy, handwritten letters he sent to police and the press. He signed them as “Son of Sam” and claimed he was following orders from a demon-possessed dog. Yes, really. Those disturbing notes, filled with strange messages and spelling errors, made him both terrifying and oddly fascinating to the public.
But when police finally caught him in August 1977, what shocked people most was how normal he seemed. A 24-year-old postal worker with an ordinary look — definitely not what you’d expect from someone behind such violent crimes.
Netflix’s new series, directed by Joe Berlinger (who’s also covered Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy), brings us never before heard audio recordings of Berkowitz from 1980. In them, he speaks to journalist Jack Jones from prison, giving a calm but chilling look into his twisted mind.
What stands out in The Son of Sam Tapes is how much it’s not just about Berkowitz — it’s also about New York City in the late ’70s. The city was struggling with crime, poverty, and failing infrastructure. Police were under pressure, and Berkowitz’s random attacks made people terrified to go out at night, especially women with dark hair who matched the profile of his victims.
The doc shows how Berkowitz managed to keep the city in fear for a whole year, while also revealing some odd moments — like how he once helped a couple push their car out of the snow instead of killing them because they were kind to him. Strange and disturbing, but it gives a glimpse into the complexity of his actions.
Interestingly, Berkowitz later admitted that the demon dog story was a lie — something he made up to confuse the police. In the 1990s, he changed his story again, claiming the murders were part of a satanic ritual linked to a cult. Over the years, his explanations have changed, but the fear he caused has never been forgotten.
Even though Berkowitz isn’t the most dramatic or bizarre killer (he didn’t wear costumes or claim to be possessed full time), his crimes and the panic they caused left a deep scar on the city. The docuseries doesn’t try to sensationalise him — instead, it tries to understand the man behind the fear and how he managed to cause so much damage while seeming so ordinary.
Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes is now streaming on Netflix. If you’re a fan of true crime, this one’s definitely worth adding to your watchlist.
