This Wild True Crime Documentary Is Top 10 on Netflix (And You'll be in Disbelief the Entire Time)

You'll be shaking your head the whole time

Author image: Screenshot 2024 03 04 at 4.32.14 PM

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Published Jun 16, 2025

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Netflix

It was the mystery that had us all captivated two summers ago, and now we finally have the full story of what happened.

If you're anything like me, you can still remember the absolute pandemonium OceanGate caused—countdowns on every major news outlet on when the submersible was supposed to run out of oxygen (when in reality it had already exploded), dozens of interviews with family members and friends and endless social media chatter. Frankly, the entire situation was a chaotic mess, and I’ve been waiting for an official documentary that explores what exactly happened ever since. Well, the wait is over, as Netflix has unveiled Titan: The Oceangate Disaster, a number one documentary on the platform that dives deep into the doomed deep-sea voyage to explore the remains of the Titan.

But a word of warning to fellow mystery lovers: If you're looking for definitive answers about why the submersible imploded, you'll get some—but many questions still linger. After watching the documentary, I’m left even more baffled by OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. His obsession with making the mission a reality seems to cloud all judgment, as he flat-out ignores serious safety concerns raised by former Director of Marine Operations David Lochridge—particularly about the vessel’s questionable carbon fiber hull.

Honestly, this documentary doesn't do Rush any favors, as he comes off as cocky, a know-it-all and selfish, which is even more prevalent in the opening minutes where he, once again, brushes off the very valid safety concerns brought forth by another employee. "There's really nothing that happens that requires an immediate response. Okay, so if you hear an alarm, don't worry about it. The best thing you can do is not do anything," he's captured on camera saying in a dismissive manner.

Uhh..."If you hear an alarm, don’t worry about it," is an insane statement to make, and there are so many moments in this documentary that will leave you shaking your head in disbelief. Or as one Rotten Tomatoes reviewer writes, "While it sheds light on the mysteries of the event that captivated the world for about 5 days, it really is a compelling, cautionary tale stranger than fiction that shows the pitfalls of hubris, the comfort of generational wealth and the invisible hand of fate."

This nearly two-hour documentary is a gut-wrenching tale of what can happen when somebody is blinded by arrogance, common sense is abandoned and countless warning signs are ignored. It’s also a harsh warning of what can happen when you cut corners (i.e.., using a PlayStation 3 controller to control the submersible!) in astounding fashion. But will it leave you at the edge of your seat? Absolutely.

You can currently stream Titan: The Oceangate Disaster on Netflix.

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Jael Rucker

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Covers all things commerce and entertainment
Has over a decade of editorial experience in both fashion and entertainment, and was previously with ONE37pm before joining the PureWow team in March 2024
Studied journalism and marketing at Columbus State University in Georgia

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