I Watched The New True Crime Series On Netflix Called "Evil Genius" Because People Are Saying It's Crazy And Here's How It Was

    The first 10 minutes will have you hooked!

    Christopher Hudspeth
    by Christopher Hudspeth

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Lately I've been watching stuff on Netflix, from horror to teen drama, but today I'm going to take a turn from scripted movies to a TRUE CRIME story called Evil Genius.

    Netflix

    There's been a lot of chatter on Twitter about how incredible Evil Genius is...

    Twitter / Via Twitter: @chloetucker_x

    When I see folks hype something up like this, I can't help but watch it for myself. So, the time arrived to see if Evil Genius is as compelling as everyone's been saying...

    Netflix

    My plan is to watch the first episode to determine if it's as binge-worthy as it sounds.

    WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

    The story opens by briefly introducing a woman named Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, who is described as "captivating."

    Netflix

    It's also said that there were many men who would do almost anything for her. We hear an angry message from Marjorie claiming she had nothing to do with a bank robbery. Then it dives right into the story of the robbery she's referring to...

    I know the Evil Genius poster literally says, "a man walks into a bank with a bomb locked around his neck," but I was still taken aback to see actual footage of A MAN IN A BANK WITH A BOMB LOCKED AROUND HIS NECK two minutes into the episode.

    Netflix

    I feel like I should remember this being a story since it happened in 2003, but Disney Channel Original Movies were still good back then, so I probably wasn't watching a ton of news.

    So, a pizza delivery guy named Brian Wells casually robbed a bank with a bomb around his neck. He walked in, handed the teller a note with instructions, then left with the cash.

    Netflix

    The bank called the cops when Wells bounced.

    The police caught up to Wells shortly thereafter and they're like, "Oh, shit, this dude has a bomb around his neck, let's cuff him, sit him on the ground, and see how this plays out from long distance."

    Netflix

    Wells told the cops some dudes strapped the bomb to him and forced him to rob the bank.

    Wells is super chill considering the circumstances. He nonchalantly asks police for help removing the device. I'd make a bigger scene if you told me I had a spider on my shirt than he did about a bomb on his neck.

    Netflix

    THEN, the bomb started beeping and Wells immediately gets more anxious.

    Netflix

    One officer says he thinks Wells didn't know the bomb was real until it started beeping, which makes it seem like he was in on the heist.

    SPOILER ALERT: The bomb eventually goes off and it's pretty damn shocking to watch, even if you know it's coming.

    Warning This image is graphic Tap to reveal Click to reveal
    Netflix

    They ACTUALLY show the footage, so brace yourself for that.

    There are so many odd details surrounding this case!

    Netflix

    EXAMPLE: Wells was entirely too unruffled while robbing the bank. The dude calmly waited in line and took a lollipop from the basket like a non-robbing, regular-ass customer. HE EVEN PLAYFULLY SWUNG THE BAG OF CASH AND A CANE LIKE CHARLIE CHAPLIN AS HE WALKED OUT OF THE BANK. Chill.

    Oh, also, his "cane" was actually a cane gun. Yes, a freakin' loaded gun hidden within the confines of a cane. Like, are you a real life human or a Batman villain?

    Netflix

    Wells had been given notes with instructions, so it seems like he was being forced to do this...

    Netflix

    ...but nobody would knowingly strap a fully functional bomb around their neck and be chill, right?!

    So the first half of the first episode was madness, but the second half manages to get even crazier.

    Netflix

    Robert Pinetti, one of Wells' former friends and co-workers at the pizza place died under suspicious circumstances. There are some shady details, but nothing to leads to any significant findings.

    MORE VERY WEIRD THINGS:

    Netflix

    - Whoever made the device put fake clues inside to distract investigators, like meaningless wires and a plastic cell phone that served no functional purpose.

    - The device had four keyholes but only two locks. So, had Wells found the two keys, he could've unlocked it. However...

    - They believe Wells was never meant to escape the device — he was set up to fail.

    It's believed that the notes were typed, printed, and traced onto a new piece of paper so that it'd be difficult to match the handwriting.

    Netflix

    Not to give props to a murderer, but the person behind this was remarkably thorough.

    So towards the end of the episode, it sounds like detectives are pretty stumped about the collar bomber mastermind's identity. Then, the focus shifts back to Marjorie, the woman discussed during the opening of the episode.

    Netflix

    We learn that Marjorie was very smart, but mentally ill. It's also revealed that she was married, but her husband died after falling and hitting his head on the coffee table. Also, Marjorie had "AT LEAST FIVE" other boyfriends who died prematurely, under strange circumstances.

    Then, we're told that three weeks after Wells died, a dude named Bill Rothstein called the police. Here's how the conversation went.

    Netflix

    Dispatcher: Police, what's your emergency?

    Bill Rothstein: At 8645 Peach Street, in the garage, there is a frozen body, it's in the freezer. There's a woman there you might wanna pick up and question.

    D: 8645 Peach Street?

    BR: Yes.

    D: How do you know that, sir?

    BR: Trust me. I know.

    D: Who are you?

    BR: I'm the guy who lives there.

    D: What is your name, sir?

    BR: Bill Rothstein.

    D: And what is her name?

    BR: Marjorie Diehl.

    D: Ok, and Marjorie Diehl is at that residence now?

    BR: Yes.

    D: Who is she to you, sir?

    BR: I'll give you guys my story later on.

    D: There's a frozen body in the freezer?

    BR: In the garage, that is correct.

    D: Do you know who the person is in the freezer?

    BR: Uh...

    THEN THE EPISODE ABRUPTLY ENDS.

    FINAL THOUGHTS:

    Netflix

    Did I get hooked?: Absolutely, within the first 10 minutes.

    Episode one overall rating: 10/10.

    Binge-ability: 10/10. The entire series is only three hours and 20 minutes total. That's basically the length of Titanic.

    Most shocking moment: When the bomb explodes.

    Second most shocking moment: Learning cane guns exist.