In our season five premiere, we put Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can (2002) under the microscope and compare it to the real-life story of Frank Abagnale Jr., the infamous con man whose wild exploits inspired the film. How much of Leonardo DiCaprio’s slick, globe-trotting portrayal matches reality, and how much is pure Hollywood invention? We dive into Abagnale’s early scams, his claims of passing as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer, and the FBI’s pursuit led by agent Joe Shea – the real counterpart to Tom Hanks’s character Carl Hanratty. We also examine how Abagnale reinvented himself after prison, becoming a security consultant, and question how reliable his own version of events really is. Was Frank Abagnale truly the “greatest con man of all time,” or has he been conning us all along?

Primary Sources:

• Logan, Alan. The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching the Truth While We Can. (2020).
• Frank Abagnale’s Website

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In part two of our season four finale, we unpack Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (1992), starring Denzel Washington, and examine how it compares to the real-life story of one of American’s most influential and controversial civil rights leaders. We break down the key moments from the film – Malcolm’s childhood, time in prison, conversion to Islam, rise in the Nation of Islam, and eventual split – and weigh them against the historical record. What did the film get right? What was left out or dramatized? And how do these creative choices affect our understanding of Malcolm’s legacy? Join us as we explore the man, the myth, and the movie.

Primary Source:

• Payne, Les & Payne, Tamara. The Dead are Rising: The Life of Malcolm X. Liveright Publishing Corporation (2020).

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In part one of our two-part season four finale, we dive deep into the chilling parallels between the critically acclaimed film American History X (1998) and the real-life story of Frank Meeink, a former Neo-Nazi turned spokesperson for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). While American History X explores the violent world of white supremacy through the fictional character Derek Vinyard, played by Edward Norton, Frank Meeink’s Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead offers a raw, firsthand account of indoctrination, violence, and ultimately, transformation. We explore how both stories depict the seductive pull of hate, the brutal consequences of extremist ideology, and the long, painful road to redemption. What parts of American History X mirror Frank’s own life? Where do the stories diverge? And what can these narratives teach us about the roots of radicalization—and the hope for change?

Primary Sources:

• Meeink, Frank & Roy, Jody. Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead: The Frank Meeink Story. Hawthorne Books (2010).
• The Times of Israel (2024)
• The Independent (2025)

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In this episode, we dive into the chilling “Kurim case,” the twisted true tale that inspired Jaume Collet-Serra’s Orphan(2009). After dissecting the movie, which includes a clever nod to Leonardo DiCaprio and Titanic (1997), we compare it to the life of Barbora Skrlova, a woman in her 30s who posed as two 13-year-old children, infiltrated unsuspecting families, and participated in one of the worst child abuse cases in Czechia’s history.   

Primary Source:

• Green, Ryan. The Kurim Case: A Terrifying True Story of Child Abuse, Cults & Cannibalism (2016).

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In this gripping episode we drive deep into the chilling true store behind Bully (2001), directed by Larry Clark and based on the murder of 20-year-old Bobby Kent. We explore the disturbing dynamics between Bobby and his so-called friends who orchestrated and carried out this brutal crime. Through a detailed comparison of the movie and the actual case, we uncover what the film got right, what it changed, the impact this shocking crime had on those involved. We also unpack the sordid production and the trail of tragedy that followed nearly ever teen actor involved.

Primary Sources:

• Schutze, Jim. Bully: A True Story of High School Revenge. Avon Books (1997).
• Forensic Files (2018)
• CrimeJuicy Cocktail Hour (2021)

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If you were living in Texas and looking for a hit man in the 1990s, Gary Johnson was your man. He was willing to take jobs from just about anyone. From scorned lovers to teens seeking revenge, no request was off limits. The catch? He wasn’t a professional killer at all. In fact, he was an undercover investigator for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. In this episode we dive into the wild and stranger than fiction story behind Hit Man (2023), the Netflix romantic crime comedy directed by Richard Linklater and staring Glen Powell. We compare the film’s charismatic, identity-shifting antihero to the actual man behind the legend and discuss some of his high-profile cases. Join us as we separate fact from fiction in one of the most bizarre true crime stories to hit the big screen.

Primary Sources:

• Texas Monthly (2001)
• Lone Star College (2024)

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Brandon Lee was more than the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee – he was an artist searching for his own voice in a world that never let him forget his father’s name. For this season’s bonus episode, we trace Brandon’s path from a childhood marked by loss to a promising career just beginning to take off. His hauntingly powerful performance as Eric Draven in The Crow (1994) was meant to be his breakout moment. Instead, it ended in tragedy due to careless mistakes and cost-cutting measures. Tune in to hear about the life Brandon Lee lived, the dreams he carried, his infectious optimism, and the legacy he left behind.

 

Primary Sources:

LA Times (1993)
Biography (2021)

The Guardian (2024)
Rolling Stone (2024)

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Charlize Theron transformed herself and won an Oscar for her portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003). She managed to bring a side of humanity to a woman who was a societal outcast and brutally murdered seven men from November 30, 1989 to November 18, 1990. But who was the real Aileen Wuornos? Was she a mentally unstable damaged soul, as depicted in the film? Or was she a ruthless sociopath who would stop at nothing to get what she thought she deserved? Tune in this week to learn all about Patty Jenkins’s directorial debut and the true story of America’s most notorious female serial killer.

Primary Source:

Russell, Sue. Lethal Intent. Kensington Publishing Corporation (2002)

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On November 18, 1978, Jim Jones convinced over 900 members of People’s Temple to commit mass suicide in the country of Guyana. This tragedy inspired Ti West to write, direct, and edit The Sacrament (2013), a faux documentary-style horror film inspired by the last 24 hours of the people who died at Jonestown. In this episode, we explore the life of Jim Jones, including his childhood, religious and political ideologies, and how he came to be one of the most notorious cult leaders of all time. You may be surprised just how accurate this little-known film stuck to real-life events…

Primary Sources:

Newsweek (2021)
Newsweek (2021)
FBI.gov
Will of Marceline Mae Jones
Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple (2017)

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In this episode, we break down Ridley Scott’s star-studded biographical crime drama House of Gucci (2021). How accurately does the movie portray the rise and fall of the Gucci empire? What really happened between Patrizia Reggiani and Maurizio Gucci? We’ll separate fact from fiction, explore the real-life events, and discuss the biggest differences between Hollywood’s version and history. Tune in for a deep dive into the scandal, betrayal, and power struggles that rocked one of fashion’s most legendary families.

Primary Source:

Forden, Sara. The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed. Mariner Books (2001).

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