Is there actual footage of the murder?

No. The show uses reenactments and forensic descriptions, but it does not show the act itself. However, it does use real social media posts and audio from the killers' confessions, which can be just as haunting.

Why is it rated for 17+ if it's about teenagers?

The rating reflects the extreme psychological darkness and the nature of the crime—a premeditated killing of a peer. It's about the 'why' and the betrayal, which is considered too heavy for younger viewers.

Does it focus on the killers or the victim?

The series makes a concerted effort to center Skylar Neese's life and her family's grief, though a significant portion of the runtime is dedicated to the psychological profiling of the two friends who betrayed her.

Is this a good show to watch with my teen?

Only if they are older (16+) and you are prepared to have a long, serious conversation afterward. It’s an excellent springboard for talking about social media safety and friendship ethics, but it's a 'one-and-done' heavy watch.

Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2026

45%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A chilling look at how a 2012 West Virginia teen murder became the ultimate cautionary tale for the social media age.

6.7/10

83%

→

Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese

show

TV-MA, 2026

45%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A chilling look at how a 2012 West Virginia teen murder became the ultimate cautionary tale for the social media age.

6.7

83%

Jump to

Also rated on

6.7/10

83%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Hulu’s take on the Skylar Neese case is less about the 'who-dunit'—we’ve known who did it for years—and more about the terrifying fragility of teen social structures. It’s well-made and avoids being exploitative, but it is undeniably dark.

If you have a high schooler who is obsessed with true crime, don't just hand this over. This is the one you watch together. It’s an opening to talk about digital footprints, the reality of 'mean girl' escalation, and why the internet never actually forgets. It's not 'fun' true crime; it's a sobering look at a tragedy that could have been prevented.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (16+) and adults. The psychological horror of the betrayal is too much for middle schoolers, even those who think they can handle true crime. It’s a heavy, somber watch that requires a high level of emotional maturity.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a grim investigation into a cold-blooded murder committed by two teenage girls against their best friend. There is no way to spin the subject matter as 'wholesome'—it is a study in betrayal and the darkest side of adolescent social dynamics.

Imaginative

As a true-crime docuseries or dramatization, it relies on forensic detail and reenactment rather than creative world-building. Its value lies in analysis, not imagination.

Safe

The content is inherently disturbing. While it likely avoids gratuitous gore, the psychological weight of the 'why'—friends planning a murder because they 'didn't like her anymore'—is high-impact and potentially triggering for younger viewers.

Enriching

It offers a heavy but necessary look at the 'digital footprint' of modern friendship. It serves as a cautionary deep dive into social media isolation, the toxicity of 'clique' culture, and the legal consequences of teen actions.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Modern context applied to a decade-old case, showing how Twitter and early social media fueled the toxic dynamics between the three girls.
Expert analysis of the 'groupthink' that can happen in intense, insular teenage friendships.
High production value from Hulu that avoids the 'trashy' true crime tropes in favor of a more psychological approach.

⚠

What to Watch For

The betrayal is the point. If your kid is currently dealing with friendship drama or social exclusion, this will be a very difficult, high-anxiety watch.
The details of the murder itself are discussed in forensic detail; while it may not be visually gory, the descriptions of the planned stabbing are intense.
Social media posts from the actual killers are used, which can be hauntingly 'normal' and disturbing to see in sequence.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think social media makes it easier for people to gang up on one friend?"
"At what point does 'venting' about a friend online cross the line into something dangerous?"
"What were the red flags in the killers' behavior that everyone—parents and teachers included—missed?"
"How does the 'digital age' change the way we understand loyalty and betrayal?"

Deep Dive

The Digital Echo of a 2012 Tragedy

Friends Like These arrives in 2026 as a retrospective that feels more relevant now than when the crime actually occurred. In 2012, the idea of 'tweeting' through a murder investigation was a new, horrific novelty. Today, it's a blueprint for how we understand the intersection of social media and real-world violence.

The show excels at pulling apart the specific 'three-way friendship' dynamic. It illustrates how two people can build a secret world that excludes the third, and how digital communication acts as an accelerant for that isolation. It’s a masterclass in showing how 'online' and 'offline' lives aren't separate tracks; they are one and the same.

For parents, the most striking part isn't the crime itself, but the months leading up to it. The show highlights the subtle shifts in social media tone and the cryptic posts that, in hindsight, were screaming for intervention. It doesn't blame the parents, but it does ask the viewer to look closer at the digital signals our kids are sending every day.

If you're looking for a comparison, think of it as a more grounded, less stylized version of The Girl from Plainville. It trades the 'prestige drama' gloss for a more investigative, documentary-style weight that makes the events feel uncomfortably close to home.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese? Put this WISE score on your site