Netflix viewers have been left shaken by a new documentary that has quickly climbed to number two in the streaming service's 'films today' chart. Titled Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, the film explores the true story of a teenager tormented by anonymous text messages.
The documentary, directed by Skye Borgman, focuses on the experience of 13-year-old Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend Owen, who began receiving mysterious messages in 2020. The harassment intensified in 2021, with threats and abuse continuing for 15 months before their family involved law enforcement.
Viewers have described the documentary as 'insane' and 'jaw-dropping', with one writing: 'This is the most disturbing thing I've ever seen. You will never see it coming.' Another said they had to watch it twice because they were 'in shock'. The revelation of the perpetrator's identity has been described as mind-blowing by many.
Director Skye Borgman spoke to Netflix's Tudum about the wider message, stating that while this case involved the FBI, many children face cyberbullying daily without such intervention. She urged parents to listen to their children and understand the threats they face online.
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is now streaming on Netflix, continuing to attract attention for its disturbing twist and commentary on modern cyberbullying.
