Dirty John
Updated: Nov 23, 2022
WARNING: contains themes of abuse and manipulation
FTC Rating: (4 out of 5)
4 Complementary Recommendations, 4 formats for your viewing/listening/reading pleasure*: 1) Original LA Times articles by Christopher Goffard https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-dirty-john/ 2) Podcast written and narrated by Christopher Goffard 3) Bonus! Fictionalized Netflix Series (Season 1) 4) Bonus! Dirty John: The Dirty Truth (documentary available on Amazon Prime $)
Debra Newell, a successful career woman clicks around on a dating site hoping for another chance at love and, to her surprise, she finds a handsome humanitarian doctor. He is her dream man but soon after, that dream becomes a real-life nightmare.
Strengths: -Well researched -Interviews with Debra Newell and her family -Presents the facts but does not draw and conclusions about motives -Bonus episode “Live at The Theatre at Ace Hotel” includes a panel on coercive control (podcast)
Weakness: -Left me wondering about John’s other victims as this series focuses primarily on John’s ex wife and Debra Newell
*All of these will give a good overview of the story. Review is specific to the LA Times Article/Podcast
