Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

Throwing stones here is useless. Nothing makes any sense outside of some form of extreme mental illness breaking the most sacred barriers of trust. It's that devastating. It is a very personal story that affected the most vulnerable children also tearing at least one family apart. There are waves of shock, disgust, anger, with few answers as to why in this case. Healing after devastation like this is the hard part which will forever be ongoing. That includes the perpetrator who is obviously mentally so bent, in an almost impossible way that's impossible to come back from without lifelong intense therapy and the miracle of God's Grace. I get some solace seeing the main victim, Lauren, is embracing that Grace.

This is a shocking story with a twist the viewer will never guess without prior knowledge of this insidious stalking crime. A truly bizarre crime story that will leave the viewer puzzled seeking more answers how anything like this can be reality. A good overview told in logical sequence yet frustrating for what we don't know and can't understand.

This documentary is a striking portrayal of a hardcore narcissistic sociopath-covert, manipulative, and hidden behind a convincing mask. The narrative runs smoothly and keeps a tight pace, never dragging on unnecessarily. Still, with such a powerful story at its core, there was potential to go even deeper into the psychology behind the behavior. This docu. Lacks that.

The story is deeply unsettling and carries a haunting weight. The twist arrives with brutal force, reminding viewers just how deceptive appearances can be. For anyone with an interest in psychology, this is a must-watch. It sheds light on the disturbing realities of what some people are truly capable of, even those who may be closest to us.

'Unknown Number: The High School Catfish' is a wild ride from start to finish. Skye Borgman has a knack for unravelling these twisted real-life stories in a way that keeps you glued to the screen, and this one is no exception. What starts out as your typical small-town teenage drama quickly spirals into something far darker, more disturbing, and honestly, pretty unbelievable.

The most shocking part isn't just the relentless harassment, but the psychology behind it all. It's crazy what mental illness does to people, especially when it goes unchecked - and watching this unfold, you can't help but feel that she never truly grasped the gravity of what she did. Instead, what comes across is an almost chilling level of detachment, the behaviour of an absolute narcissist who couldn't (or wouldn't) comprehend the damage caused.

As a documentary, it's tight, pacey, and completely bingeable - the kind of thing you finish and immediately want to discuss with someone. But it also left me thinking how many stories like this never see the light of day. Personally, I wish Netflix would give the same treatment to the Amanda Todd case - a tragedy that deserves a thorough, sensitive documentary.

If you're into true crime that blends high school drama with the sinister realities of catfishing and cyberbullying, this one is absolutely worth your time.

Unknown Number unfolds with a pacing that feels carefully measured: each revelation arrives at just the right time, keeping the audience engaged without slipping into sensationalism or dragging its feet. The story's structure is one of the documentary's strongest achievements, sustaining tension while steadily deepening the mystery.

Yet the film stumbles in key areas. Most notably, it gives the perpetrator far too much space, allowing their voice to dominate without sufficient critical framing. This imbalance is compounded by the absence of a deeper psychological perspective, which could have provided crucial context for understanding the behavior and its broader implications. Instead, viewers are left with raw testimony that at times feels more like a platform than an examination.

By downplaying analysis in favor of dramatic storytelling, Unknown Number risks prioritizing shock value over insight. While it succeeds in keeping audiences hooked, its reluctance to interrogate the subject matter leaves the narrative feeling incomplete.

The result is a documentary that is compelling in rhythm and atmosphere, but ultimately weaker in responsibility and depth. Above all, it is difficult not to feel deep sympathy for all those affected by the events, people whose experiences deserved a more thoughtful and nuanced exploration than the film delivers.

I won't give anything away, but I'm disgusted by the perpetrator. Recently, my preteen approached me and made me read and listen to messages, which really shocked me. A "good" friend of hers was with another friend, and when they had a disagreement, both girls seriously threatened my daughter via WhatsApp. According to the messages, they were going to murder her with a group. WT*? Luckily, my daughter shared this with me right away. I've been in touch with both girls, and they were more than warned by me. Their parents reacted differently. One girl was grounded. The other girl's mother told me she thought I was exaggerating and that her daughter was crying too, so they felt sorry for her. Uh, what?! I feel terrible that a 12-year-old had to go through this. I'm now reading all her social media contacts, and she understands. Talk to your teens, protect them <3.