Lamar Reviews - "Fred & Rose" (Airdate 5/23/2025)

This is not the first documentary about Fred and Rose West, there are at least 7, and maybe more, plus podcasts. I have only seen this one on Netflix but it’s hard to imagine anyone doing a better documentary than Netflix. Plus, this documentary has “previously unseen police video and unheard audio recordings.” I will say, hearing Fred’s voice as he is talking to the investigators about the murders. And the fact that he sounds like he is talking about picking up milk and bread at the local grocer. He speaks of horrific things in the same tone as discussing the weather.

If you are not familiar with the story, Fred West was a serial killer who killed and buried his victims without hesitation, feeling, and certainly not regret.

Netflix did a good job representing the victims and their families. The one thing it did not delve into was how terrible a childhood their children had. They had 10 children although at least 4 of them were fathered by Rose’s clients. Oh yeah, Fred’s wife Rose was a prostitute. Fred’s idea.

Let’s get this upfront, Fred is not a good guy, a good husband, a good father, he was evil in a human body.

All of their children were abused in every way possible, but the Netflix documentary did not delve into that as much as others have.

There are 3 episodes, close to an hour each, Rated TVMA, make no mistake this is not a family show. It shows just how horrific people can possibly be, and the details are disturbing.

The documentary gets right to it. Within a few minutes you see footage of this weird looking man handcuffed to a police officer showing them where his murdered daughter is buried.

Time was taken with the victims’ families so that they had a chance to talk about their loved ones that became Fred’s victims. They seem to have been able to get some closure.

Fred seemed to enjoy the cat and mouse game he played with the police, acting like there was only one body, then admitting to another, and another.

This documentary will stay with you for a while. Jant Leach was assigned to Fred as the Appropriate Adult, a person who looks out for the rights of vulnerable people, underage or with possible mental disabilities in the UK. She is interviewed and shares some conversations Fred had with her about what police were discovering in his back yard and house. It was very disturbing.

At one point he is called out by one of the officials saying “Fred, you’ve got that awful smirk on your face again,” as he is seemingly avoiding telling the truth. Then he starts giggling as he gives up more information about more victims. It is the sound of someone without a soul. That soul has already found its home in hell long ago and is just waiting for the arrival of Fred.

Even Hollywood can’t come up with stuff to match the reality that in a world of 8.2 billion people, Fred and Rose can’t be the only ones like this.

My Score: 5 Cold and Disturbing Buds