For nearly thirty years, the city of Wichita, in the state of Kansas, was shaken by a serial killer known as BTK, an acronym for “Bind, Torture, Kill “ which described his macabre methods of leaving victims’ bodies. His victims were very diverse: from young mothers to women of various ages and social backgrounds, with long intervals between murders.
Investigators spent years chasing the BTK killer, meticulously examining every clue — including taunting letters he sent to police, mocking them for failing to catch him. Until 2005, the BTK case remained one of the most haunting unsolved mysteries in Kansas history. Kerri Rawson’s world collapsed one February morning when FBI agents showed up at her door to inform her that the investigation had finally taken a turn: the arrested suspect was her father, Dennis Rader.
The new documentary keeps viewers glued to the screen, and it’s already the third most watched show on Netflix. After all, the recent success of Monster’s third season confirms the public’s interest in true crime stories. You’ll find the trailer at the bottom of the article.
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My Father, the BTK Killer – all the key details
- Original Title: My Father, the BTK Killer
- Format: Documentary
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes
- Genre: True crime, documentary
- Country of Production: United States (international production)
- Original Language: English
- Director: Skye Borgman
- Main Cast: Kerri Rawson (daughter of Dennis Rader)
What My Father, the BTK Killer is about
Kerri Rawson’s life was shattered in 2005 when her father, Dennis Rader, was arrested and identified as the feared serial killer BTK — Bind, Torture, Kill. The true crime documentary directed by Skye Borgman focuses not only on the horror of the murders but especially on Kerri’s psychological journey as she faces the unimaginable truth that the man she trusted was a monster. The narrative alternates moments of Kerri’s personal introspection with archival footage, interviews with investigators, and footage of Dennis Rader’s interrogations.
During the development of the documentary, Kerri tries to determine whether her father might have claimed other unreported victims and analyzes seemingly insignificant childhood signs that could hide deep traumas. The tone is reflective and tense, with a special focus not on the sensationalism of violence but on the emotional repercussions of a shattered family identity.
Is My Father, the BTK Killer based on a true story?
Yes, the documentary is based on real events. Dennis Rader, still alive, was convicted of ten murders committed between 1974 and 1991 in Kansas. The narrative is inspired by the book A Serial Killer’s Daughter: My Story of Faith, Love and Overcoming, written by Kerri Rawson, which provided the foundation for the documentary’s structure. The film offers a careful reconstruction and reflection on both the historical events and the psychological impact on everyone involved, directly or indirectly.
Behind the scenes and production trivia
Director Skye Borgman has previous experience with documentaries on sensitive topics, such as Unknown Number: A Cyberbullying Scandal. This sensitivity was key to earning Kerri Rawson’s trust, allowing the director to enter her personal world and share intimate and painful experiences during the making of the documentary.
When to watch it on Netflix
The docufilm My Father, the BTK Killer is available on Netflix starting October 10, 2025 ► Watch on Netflix
