Perhaps Netflix’s next great true-crime smash has just been released. The Hitchhiker!
The service has released a long documentary about a man who went viral in 2013 and the tragic events that unfolded because of his fame.
It’s called The Hatchet, by the way. Kai Lawrence, a homeless man who “smashed” a man over the head with a hatchet to stop him from killing a woman, is the film’s protagonist.
After a video of Lawrence talking about the event went viral online, he was immediately seen as a hero and became a celebrity.
He was in high demand, with many talk show presenters eager to conduct interviews, and bands like Justin Bieber eager to work with him.
But Lawrence’s tale didn’t conclude there. Three months later, he stood trial for the murder of New Jersey attorney Joseph Galfy, claiming he acted in self-defence.
In the opening narration of the trailer, we learn, “Have you heard about Kai, the hitchhiking hatchet hero? This once-admirable man is now a murder suspect.
Interviewee: “If you’re going to laud someone, you better know who you glorify.”
The streaming service is banking on the Colette Camden-helmed documentary gaining traction through word of mouth, like it did with American Murder and The Tinder Swindler.
“This disturbing documentary looks at how a happy-go-lucky wanderer went from being a viral sensation to going to prison.”
It’s good news for viewers that the documentary is a concise 90-minute film rather than a drawn-out series.
