Storytelling techniques in three popular documentary series

I love watching documentaries, however, I especially appreciate the docuseries format, that allows a story to stretch beyond the typical 1-2 hour single film and instead stretch out into several episodes. Each episode of a docuseries allows more time to focus on various details within a story–details that may have been condensed in the typical format–allowing the audience to become fully engrossed in an event.

For example, a documentary like Free Solo about free-soloist Alex Honnold focuses primarily on his astonishing climb up El Capitan while sharing some backstory regarding his interest in climbing. A docuseries could further this narrative by diving deeper into topics that are merely touched on, such as how and where he grew up, other jaw-dropping free-solo climbs he has accomplished, what his personal life looks like, etc. 

Some of the most intriguing and best-performing docuseries released this year include Handsome Devil: Charming Killer, Wild Boy: Strangers in Town, and Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. All three revolve around vastly different stories, exploring a high-profile murder case, two boys claiming to have been raised off the grid, and the hidden realities behind one of reality TV's most famous modeling shows. Each docuseries used different storytelling techniques to pull viewers in and create a stir.

Let’s take a closer look at each story to see what made them stand out amongst other documentaries from this year:

1. Handsome Devil: Charming Killer 

Can you imagine rooting for a murderer because he was attractive? While sounding too disturbing to be true, this was the case for Wade Wilson, who went viral on social media as a result of his looks despite murdering two women in 2019. His case was popularized through the media due to his conventionally attractive appearance and alluring nature. This docuseries uses narration, narrative reconstruction, and a lack of chronological order to tell this story. There were several clips used from phone calls, live interviews, and conversations with the killer as well as social media platforms—primarily TikTok—for evidence and detail. 

Stock footage and archive footage were key sources of visual aid in the episodes as well– filling in gaps in the story where primary footage didn't exist.

Episode two featured several court clips from his hearings. This was blended together with interviews from a past lover of the murderer and local law enforcement at the time of these killings. Having sources directly involved with Wilson as well as those on the other side of it provided a well-rounded piece. Similar to stories you would find in fictional films, being able to show multiple perspectives makes for a compelling story and allows viewers to form their own opinions on the matter. This is also considered a form of ‘Literary Journalism’ where heavy research is combined with immersive storytelling. 

Another interesting technique was the back-and-forth format of certain interviews, like those with his girlfriend at the time of the murders who testified in court and spoke on the experience again during documentary filming. 

Directed by Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz, this 3-part docuseries was released on January 20, 2026, and is available to watch on Paramount+. 

2. Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model 

Speaking of vanity and attractiveness, a month later, a docuseries involving a deeper look into the notorious America’s Next Top Model show was released. This series looked at the making of this show through direct interviews with Tyra Banks and the television producer Ken Mok. The episodes also took perspectives from models from different cycles looking at the progression and aftermath of their careers in relation to the show’s increasing popularity. 

The format of this piece was more polished overall than Handsome Devil: Charming Killer, with smoother transitions from scene to scene, and higher quality visuals. An interesting choice in this series was the explicit language and conversations without heavy censoring which was more prominent than in the series on Wilson. As a result of this documentary being shared through Netflix, the production was able to include profanity from interviewees. Considering that this story focused on modeling, exposing material and reality personalities, the inclusion of explicit language and content was a choice that added to the storytelling. 

Other techniques include archival footage as well as text on screen for clarity of names, places, and which of the numerous seasons any one person was from.

Directed by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, this is another 3-part docuseries which was released on February 16, 2026, and can be streamed on Netflix. 

3. Wild Boy: Strangers in Town 

The final series revolved around two boys, Will and Tim Green, who emerged from the wilderness in Vernon, British Columbia and were discovered by local community members. While only two episodes, the documentary managed to fit impressive plot twists and surprising updates on the brothers. 

Storytelling techniques included archival footage and a heavy reliance on reenactments and the use of dramatic acting to fill several scenes. Some of the recreations—towards the end of the docuseries—appeared more as creative choices as a way to connect with the younger brother rather than provide further context and evidence for the overall story. This would be a great storytelling technique for a more creative project, but wasn't an ideal match for a piece that focused so heavily on mental health issues, Tim’s obsessions with creating a reality that suited him, and his upbringing surrounded by conspiracy theories. I believe there was a need for a more concrete, sturdy narrative with clear information and evidence for a credible television series.   

Directed by Rita Baghdadi and Jeremiah Hammerling, this 2-part docuseries was released on February 18, 2026, and is available to stream on Paramount+. 

Regardless of whether viewers agreed or disagreed with the contents of each docuseries, the results remained the same: each story created a stir from audience members and sparked conversation online. The content of each narrative was amplified through engaging storytelling techniques from visual and sound elements to scene construction and compelling interviews. These factors are what make for a popular docuseries.