Some true-crime stories feel scripted. This one outpaces fiction. Netflix’s Beauty and the Bester tracks the unbelievable rise, fall, and jailbreak of Thabo Bester-dubbed by tabloids “the Facebook rapist”—and the high-profile doctor whose life became entangled with his. Through survivor testimonies, exclusive interviews, and meticulous timeline building, the docuseries lays out a case that spans courtrooms, tabloids, and a shocking escape that captivated South Africa and the world.
It’s a story about power, image, and how notoriety can warp reality—especially when celebrity culture and social media feed the narrative. Here is everything you need to know about Beauty and the Bester — from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
All the key details about Beauty and the Bester
- Title: Beauty and the Bester
- Format: Limited docuseries
- Runtime: 1 season, 3 episodes
- Genre: True crime / documentary
- Country of production: South Africa
- Original language: English (with South African languages and accents)
- Year of release: 2025
- Director / Creator: Anthony Molyneaux
- Main cast: All self-portrayals (survivors, journalists, law-enforcement officials, legal experts)
- Produced by: Netflix
What happens in Beauty and the Bester?
The series reconstructs the extraordinary case of Thabo Bester, a convicted murderer and rapist whose reported death in prison masked a far more audacious plot. After a body is found burned in his cell, rumors of Bester’s demise dominate headlines-until investigative work suggests the death was staged and Bester had slipped out of custody. From there, the show traces a trail of alleged frauds, aliases, and movements across borders.
At the center is Bester’s connection to Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, a prominent South African physician and media personality. The docuseries interrogates how their relationship intersected with the escape, probes the legal proceedings that followed, and examines the ripple effects on survivors and on a country questioning how such a scheme could unfold within its institutions. Expect meticulous timeline work, probing journalism, and a narrative that balances empathy with accountability.
Also read ► Sin, sisters, and a country looking away: Netflix’s “Las muertas” turns notorious true crime into prestige TV
Who’s in the cast of Beauty and the Bester?
As a documentary, everyone appears as themselves. The series features survivors, journalists who broke key developments, law-enforcement officials connected to the case, attorneys, and legal analysts. Thabo Bester and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana are central figures whose lives and choices are examined through interviews, archival footage, and court records. The access is wide-ranging, giving the story multiple vantage points instead of a single, definitive voice.
Is Beauty and the Bester based on a true story?
Yes. The docuseries adapts real events surrounding Bester’s crimes, the alleged faking of his death, his reported escape from prison, and the subsequent investigation and court cases. It contextualizes those facts with media coverage and first-hand accounts, highlighting how celebrity, social media, and institutional blind spots converged to make an already shocking story even more surreal.
What are the reviews on Beauty and the Bester?
Early reactions praise the series’ access and its steady, methodical approach. Viewers call it gripping and “hard to pause,” pointing to the jaw-dropping twists and the breadth of voices. Some note that the non-linear structure-shifting between the escape, investigations, and courtroom developments-demands attention. Overall, sentiment trends positive for true-crime fans who prefer reporting-driven storytelling over sensational re-enactments.
Also read ► A scandal reopens: Netflix’s new documentary lets viewers decide what really happened
Where was Beauty and the Bester filmed?
Production is anchored in South Africa, with on-the-ground interviews in major urban centers and locations tied to the investigation. The series also incorporates extensive archival materials—news broadcasts, social media posts, and official documents—to reconstruct key moments connected to prisons, courts, and media flashpoints.
Beauty and the Bester: Behind the scenes and fun facts
- Journalism-first approach: The narrative leans on investigative reporting, source documents, and cross-checked timelines rather than heavy dramatization.
- Survivor-forward framing: Interviews give space to survivor voices, anchoring the series in impact rather than spectacle.
- Media literacy angle: The show doubles as a case study in how virality and celebrity can shape, and sometimes distort, public understanding of crime.
What’s Beauty and the Bester like?
If you appreciated the reporting rigor of The Tinder Swindler or the systemic scrutiny of Murdaugh Murders, this is the right series for you-blending meticulous journalism with a stranger-than-fiction prison-break saga. It’s less about reenactments and more about receipts, timelines, and accountability.
When is Beauty and the Bester coming out on streaming?
Available now. Beauty and the Bester is already streaming on Netflix. Release date: September 12, 2025. Watch on Netflix.
Watch the trailer
In the meantime, here’s the trailer.
