Movies Like American Exposé: Absence of Light

If you liked American Exposé: Absence of Light (1993), a documentary and crime movie directed by Devin Dehaven, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
Killer Legends (2014)
★ 5.8/10Also documentary and crime
Delving into our collective nightmares, this horror-documentary investigates the origins of our most terrifying urban legends and the true stories that may have inspired them.
2
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019)
★ 6.7/10Also documentary and horror
Delving into a century of genre films that by turns utilized, caricatured, exploited, sidelined, and finally embraced them, this is the untold history of black Americans in Hollywood through their connection to the…
3
Terror in the Aisles (1984)
★ 6.1/10Also horror and documentary
A non-stop roller coaster ride through the scariest moments of the greatest terror films of all time.
4
Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers (2025)
★ 7/10Also documentary and crime
Aileen Wuornos remains a rarity: a female serial killer. From childhood abuse to death-row revelations, this documentary revisits her life and crimes.
5
Chaos: The Manson Murders (2025)
★ 6.1/10Also documentary and crime
In August 1969, Charles Manson's followers killed seven people on his orders. Why? Explore a conspiracy of mind control, CIA experiments, and murder.
6
Maternal Instinct (2026)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary and crime
Police pull over a woman who claims she just gave birth. But the baby — and the blood — aren't hers. Twisted lies unravel in this true-crime documentary.
7
Doc of the Dead (2014)
★ 6.2/10Also documentary and horror
The definitive zombie culture documentary, brought to the screen by the makers of THE PEOPLE vs. GEORGE LUCAS.
8
Deliver Us from Evil (2006)
★ 7.2/10Also crime and documentary
Documentary filmmaker Amy Berg investigates the life of 30-year pedophile Father Oliver O'Grady and exposes the corruption inside the Catholic Church that allowed him to abuse countless children. Victims' stories and a…
9
Narco Cultura (2013)
★ 7/10Also crime and documentary
To a growing number of Mexicans and Latinos in the Americas, narco-traffickers have become iconic outlaws and the new models of fame and success. They represent a pathway out of the ghetto, nurturing a new American…
10
Predators (2025)
★ 6.7/10Also documentary and crime
In the mid-aughts, Dateline NBC's To Catch a Predator drew millions of weekly viewers to watch sting operations: men planning to meet minors for sex would instead be confronted by polished host Chris Hansen, then by…
11
Pennywise: The Story of ‘It’ (2021)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary and horror
Thirty-plus years after its release, the popular two-part miniseries "It" and its infamous villain Pennywise live on in the minds of horror fans around the world. This documentary captures not only the buzz the "It"…
12
Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and horror
This historical and critical look at slasher films, which includes dozens of clips, begins with Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Prom Night. The films' directors, writers, producers, and special effects creators comment…
13
Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist (2019)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and horror
A lyrical and spiritual cinematic essay on The Exorcist, the last film of Alexandre O. Philippe explores the uncharted depths of William Friedkin’s mind’s eye, the nuances of his filmmaking process, and the mysteries…
14
My Father, the BTK Killer (2025)
★ 6.7/10Also crime and documentary
Raised by a man leading a monstrous double life, the daughter of the BTK serial killer shares her chilling story.
15
Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity (2021)
★ 6.6/10Also documentary and horror
A deep dive into the making of the Paranormal Activity films with first time ever interviews with cast and crew, never-before-seen footage from the movies, and a preview of the seventh installment in the franchise.
16
Ted Bundy: Mind of a Monster (2019)
★ 7.6/10Also crime and documentary
New exclusive access and never before heard testimony gives a unique insight into the mind of America's most notorious serial killer, Ted Bundy. Breathtaking archive from the time and the voice of Bundy himself…
17
The Crash (2026)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and crime
A teen slams her car into a building, killing her boyfriend and his friend. What seems like a tragic accident becomes a murder case.
18
Why Did You Kill Me? (2021)
★ 5.9/10Also documentary and crime
The line between justice and revenge blurs when a devastated family uses social media to track down the people who killed 24-year-old Crystal Theobald.
19
The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson (2026)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary and crime
An intimate, arresting portrait of cyclist Moriah Wilson—raised by a fierce, loving family—whose singular drive becomes her superpower, carrying her to athletic brilliance and, devastatingly, toward a life cut short by…
20
Tales of the Grim Sleeper (2014)
★ 6.3/10Also crime and documentary
When Lonnie Franklin Jr. was arrested in South Central Los Angeles in 2010 as the suspected murderer of a string of young black women, police hailed it as the culmination of 20 years of investigations. Four years later…