Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story

A somber, methodical true-crime documentary that weighs heavily, tracing trauma and its long shadows with restrained tension and deep sadness.

Created by

Jessica Dimmock

Genres

Documentary, Crime

Starring

Corin Nemec, Todd Eric Andrews

Tagline

When Steven Stayner returned home, the real story began.

Overview

1972: 7-year-old Steven Stayner vanishes from Merced, California. For years, his family searches for him, only to find they’ve been looking for the wrong boy. 50 years on, Steven’s children unearth clues to their father’s mysterious past.

How it feels

Dark, bleak, melancholic and tense. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Trauma, family, crime, grief

Content

Mild violence, sexual content and language. No gore.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)