Netflix Presents ‘Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers’ Documentary
A never-before-seen look into America’s most prolific woman serial killer
Netflix presents never-before-seen footage and interviews into the most sensationalized woman serial killer in America with Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers. Many true crime series and podcasts have covered the case but no one takes a look this deep. Aileen not only examines the case from inception, but it highlights many institutional structures that worked against women that lead to a shocking and sensationalized guilty verdict.
The Law and Women’s Rights
In the throes of national news coverage, a few major components of the case and Aileen’s life are presented in this documentary. For one, the original judge on the case was forced into being recused citing a “conflict of interest”—this appeared to be a move set to undermine her ability to remain impartial when trying the case. A reporter blatantly challenged this decision in an interview, stating that it looked as though the judicial system made excuses to cover up the fact that she was recused simply because she was a woman, to which the judge replied “I should hope not.” She was succeeded by Judge Uriel Blount, who came out of retirement to try the case.
Following the verdict and the death sentence, the prosecutor was interviewed by an investigative journalist who challenged the state’s office in reviewing the evidence that Richard Mallory, the man Aileen was charged with murdering, was indeed a sexually violent criminal. When questioned, the prosecutor admitted he did not personally review the findings but believed Richard did not have any history of violence nor criminal convictions. It was then the reporter revealed that in a 30 minute search of public record—evidence that the state had in possession—she found his complete history, including documentation from a psychiatrist who stated Richard would commit crimes in the future if freed and that “it would be violent and sexual in nature.”
This begs the question: did Aileen get a fair and just trial or was she a victim of institutional neglect when it comes to crimes against women and sex workers?
“I’ll Be Back”
Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers examines core themes of nature vs nurture, the blurred lines between being a victim or a perpetrator, and the judicial system. The never-before-seen footage goes beyond the monster and into the troubled and traumatized past of Aileen, showing you just how the perfect ingredients made for the perfect recipe of disaster. However, in rare moments, you simply see a woman who wanted to be seen despite a harsh upbringing, despite failures in love, and despite failures in life. Her desperate need for acceptance led to fleeting moments of contentment which she held on to until the very end.
Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers is available to stream now on Netflix.