The Two Netflix 'Unknown' Series: Why 'Unknown Number' Is The Most Shocking True-Crime Hit Of 2025
The term "Unknown Netflix" currently refers to two distinct, yet equally compelling, documentary entities on the streaming platform, but only one has become the true-crime obsession of late 2025. The latest sensation, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, has gripped millions of viewers with its deeply unsettling story, while the original 2023 Unknown series offers a fascinating dive into history, science, and technology.
The most recent and talked-about title, released in August 2025, is the true-crime feature that has dominated streaming charts. This documentary, directed by Skye Borgman, uncovers a shocking case of cyberbullying and catfishing with a twist no one saw coming, making it essential viewing for fans of the genre this December 2025.
The Shocking True Story Behind 'Unknown Number: The High School Catfish'
The 2025 documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish stands out as a masterpiece of the true-crime genre, thanks to its unbelievable and disturbing central revelation. The film, which explores a severe case of cyberbullying in a Michigan community, initially focuses on the harassment endured by a high school student named Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend, Owen McKenny.
The cyberbullying campaign, which lasted for over a year, involved hundreds of threatening and manipulative text messages sent from various "unknown numbers." The texts targeted Lauryn, her friends, and her ex-boyfriend, creating a toxic and terrifying environment. The investigation, which involved local police and technology experts, eventually traced the source of the anonymous messages back to a single individual.
The Catfish Identity: Who Was Kendra Licari?
The documentary’s gut-wrenching twist is the revelation that the person behind the relentless cyberbullying was none other than Kendra Licari, Lauryn's own mother. This shocking detail transformed the case from a typical cyberbullying incident into a bizarre and profound betrayal of trust and parental responsibility.
Kendra Licari, a former elementary school basketball coach, used virtual private networks (VPNs) and burner phones to create a complex web of fake identities. She catfished her own daughter and others, often posing as a fictional teenage boy or girl. The documentary details how the sheer volume of messages and the calculated psychological torment led to a full-scale police investigation.
The case concluded with Kendra Licari pleading guilty in April 2023 to two counts of stalking minors. The documentary explores the devastating impact on her daughter Lauryn and her ex-boyfriend Owen McKenny, who are both interviewed in the film, providing a raw and emotional account of the psychological damage caused by the mother's actions. The director, Skye Borgman, known for her work on Abducted in Plain Sight, masterfully handles the sensitive material, making this one of the most talked-about true crime documentaries of the year.
The Original 'Unknown' Series: A Deep Dive into Four Unsolved Mysteries
While Unknown Number is the current headline-grabber, the original Unknown series, released in July 2023, established the brand on Netflix. This collection consists of four standalone feature-length documentaries, each exploring a different facet of human knowledge, history, and the future. The series is a testament to the platform's commitment to high-quality investigative and scientific filmmaking, building significant topical authority in the documentary space.
Each film in the original Unknown collection is a journey into an area where the truth is elusive, or the future is uncertain, covering everything from ancient archaeology to deep space and military technology. The documentaries are designed to be watched as individual features, providing a diverse and intellectually stimulating viewing experience.
Complete List of the 2023 'Unknown' Documentary Films
The four films in the original 2023 series explore radically different subjects, making the collection a perfect binge for documentary enthusiasts interested in a wide range of topics. The four titles are:
- Unknown: The Lost Pyramid (Released July 3, 2023): This film follows two of Egypt’s most famous archaeologists, Dr. Zahi Hawass and his protégé, Dr. Mostafa Waziri, as they race to unearth a lost pyramid and discover ancient secrets in the vast burial grounds of Saqqara. This archaeological documentary offers a thrilling look at modern discovery.
- Unknown: Killer Robots (Released July 10, 2023): Directed by Jesse Sweet, this entry delves into the terrifying and complex world of autonomous weapons. The film examines the ethical and military implications of artificial intelligence (AI) being used in warfare, presenting a chilling look at the future of combat and the potential for killer robots.
- Unknown: Cave of Bones (Released July 17, 2023): This documentary, a major hit for the series, chronicles the groundbreaking discovery of Homo naledi fossils in a remote cave system in South Africa. It features paleoanthropologist Lee Berger and his team as they explore the origins of humankind and challenge long-held beliefs about human evolution and our ancestors.
- Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine (Released July 24, 2023): Focused on the revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), this film takes viewers on a journey into the deepest reaches of the universe. It showcases the incredible engineering and scientific ambition required to capture images of the cosmos from the dawn of time, exploring cosmic time and deep space.
Why 'Unknown' Continues to Dominate Netflix
The success of both the 2023 series and the 2025 true-crime hit is rooted in a few key factors that resonate with the modern streaming audience. The brand name itself, Unknown, promises a journey into the mysterious, the hidden, and the unresolved, appealing directly to viewer curiosity and the desire for fresh, impactful storytelling.
Firstly, the anthology format is highly effective. By presenting each story as a standalone feature, Netflix avoids the commitment of a multi-episode docuseries, allowing viewers to easily jump into high-quality, self-contained narratives. This format appeals to a wide demographic, from true-crime fans interested in Kendra Licari's shocking case to science buffs captivated by the JWST and Homo naledi discoveries.
Secondly, the documentaries tackle highly relevant and emotionally charged topics. Unknown Number taps into the universal fear of cyberbullying, parental betrayal, and the dark side of social media and online communication. This emotional resonance drives massive word-of-mouth and social media discussion, cementing its status as a major Netflix true-crime entity.
Finally, the production quality is consistently high. Whether exploring the ancient Saqqara burial sites, the ethics of autonomous weapons, or the harrowing details of the catfishing case, the use of expert interviews, compelling visuals, and focused direction ensures that the Unknown brand represents premium, must-watch documentary content on the streaming platform.
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