WISE Score
IMDb
Investigative journalism meets real-life horror when a reporter digs into the bodies buried in a self-proclaimed Satanist's backyard.
7
If you are a true crime junkie who likes the Vice style of 'immersion' journalism, this is a solid, if disturbing, watch. It’s well-made and avoids some of the more exploitative tropes of the genre, but it is deeply unpleasant.
For parents, this is a 'watch after the kids are in bed' show. There is no world where this is appropriate for a family night, and even older teens might find the reality of the Pazuzu case more depressing than entertaining.
This is strictly for adults and mature teens (16+). The subject matter is bleak, the imagery is dark, and the real-world implications are heavy. It's not 'fun' true crime; it's the depressing, gritty kind.
The show focuses on a self-proclaimed Satanist murderer who kept human remains in his home. It is the opposite of wholesome, leaning into the darkest corners of human behavior and drug-fueled subcultures.
As an investigative documentary, it doesn't leave much room for imagination or creative play, though it does explore the bizarre and dark 'persona' constructed by the subject.
This is heavy, graphic true crime. It features descriptions of murder, human remains, extreme drug use, and occult themes. It is not safe for children or sensitive viewers.
For adults, it's a competent piece of investigative journalism that looks at how systems fail to catch dangerous people and how small-town dynamics play into true crime. For kids, there is zero enrichment value.
The Devil You Know isn't just about a murder; it's about the failure of a community. The show follows journalist Chad Nance as he navigates the story of Pazuzu Algarad, a man who renamed himself after a demon and turned his North Carolina home into a literal house of horrors.
What makes this different from your standard Netflix true crime binge is the focus on the subculture of outcasts that Pazuzu cultivated. It explores how a group of people, many struggling with their own demons, were drawn to a person who wore his darkness as a badge of honor.
The show doesn't shy away from the filth—both literal and metaphorical. You’ll see footage of the house, which was filled with trash and animal remains long before the human remains were discovered. It’s a visceral experience. If your teen is dead-set on watching true crime, there are plenty of 'cleaner' investigations out there. This one is for the viewer who wants to look directly at the messiest parts of the human condition.
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