The latest Danish true crime docuseries to land on Netflix, A Friend, A Murderer, is already making waves and climbing the streaming charts just days after its release. But this is not your typical whodunit. The three-part series, which premiered on March 5, 2026, tells the unsettling true story of Philip Patrick Westh, a man who led a double life, committing horrific crimes while maintaining close friendships with people who had no idea about his dark side. For viewers wondering if they should click play, this guide breaks down what the series is about, why it feels different from other true crime stories, and what you need to know before you watch.
The series hit Netflix with little warning but quickly gained traction. Reports confirm that A Friend, A Murderer shot into the platform’s Top 10 within just 24 hours of its debut . The reason for this rapid success is simple: the story is almost too disturbing to believe. It focuses on the emotional aftermath for Amanda, Nichlas, and Kiri, three people who considered the killer one of their closest friends. Their shock, grief, and struggle to understand how they missed the signs form the emotional core of the documentary .
What Is ‘A Friend, A Murderer’ Really About?
At its heart, this docuseries is not just about the crimes committed by Philip Patrick Westh. It is about the psychological destruction left in his wake. The story begins in the quiet, rural Danish town of Korsør. In July 2016, a 17-year-old girl named Emilie Meng vanished. Her body was found six months later, and the lack of answers plunged the community into years of fear and suspicion .
The case went cold for years. However, in 2023, a 13-year-old girl was abducted. The police arrested Philip Patrick Westh for that crime. During their investigation, DNA evidence linked him to the 2016 murder of Emilie Meng, as well as to the kidnapping and attempted rape of a 15-year-old girl in 2022 . When the police arrested Westh, the small community finally had their answer. But for his friends, the nightmare was just beginning.
The documentary uses interviews and archival material to show how Amanda, Nichlas, and Kiri had spent years socializing with a predator. Nichlas revealed he had been best friends with Philip for 15 years, spending more time with him than anyone else . The series forces viewers to sit with the same uncomfortable questions the friends ask themselves: How could they not know? Were they ever really friends? Can they ever trust their own judgment again?
The Crimes and The Conviction Explained
To understand the weight of the docuseries, you need to know the facts of the case. Philip Patrick Westh was found guilty of a horrifying string of attacks. In June 2024, a court convicted him of the murder of 17-year-old Emilie Meng. He was also convicted of the abduction and attempted rape of a 15-year-old girl in 2022, and the abduction and rape of a 13-year-old girl in 2023 .
The details that emerged during the trial were chilling. According to the documentary, police found a “kidnapping planning list” on Westh’s computer. This list contained names of girls, their ages, addresses, and even their bus schedules . The prosecution presented evidence that Westh deliberately hit the 13-year-old girl with his car while she was riding her bicycle, before taking her to his home and holding her captive .
For his crimes, Philip Patrick Westh was sentenced to life in prison. He was 33 years old at the time of the verdict. While his lawyer initially filed an appeal, Westh later decided not to pursue it, and he is currently serving his sentence in Denmark . The documentary ends with a note stating that Westh was informed of the criticism against him in the film but chose not to comment .
Who Is Sharing Their Story?
Unlike many true crime documentaries that focus solely on police work or the perpetrator’s backstory, A Friend, A Murderer dedicates significant time to the victims’ families and, uniquely, the friends of the killer. The three main voices you will hear are:
- Amanda: She describes the shattering realization that the person she feared was out there was actually someone she trusted. “For years, I feared the perpetrator was still out there and that I could be the next victim,” she shared. “When I realised it was one of my closest friends, my world shattered” .
- Kiri: He expressed the deep confusion that comes with betrayal. “You think you know everything about a person, and it turns out, he’s someone else. Nothing makes sense anymore,” Kiri stated in the documentary .
- Nichlas: As the best friend of Philip for 15 years, his perspective is perhaps the most jarring. He must reconcile the friend he knew with the monster revealed in court.
The series also features local parish priest Anna Helleberg Kluge, who provides context on how the entire community suffered. She speaks about the fear and suspicion that gripped everyone, but also offers a small glimmer of hope, noting that people are slowly learning to support each other again .
Should You Watch It? A Viewer’s Guide
Deciding whether to watch A Friend, A Murderer depends on what you look for in true crime. If you enjoy fast-paced detective work or procedural details, this series moves at a slower, more reflective pace. However, if you are interested in the human psyche and the long-term trauma of betrayal, this documentary is essential viewing.
Watch it if:
- You are interested in the psychological impact of crime on a community.
- You want to hear firsthand accounts from people who knew the killer personally.
- You appreciate documentaries that ask deep questions about trust and human nature.
You might skip it if:
- You are looking for a traditional crime scene investigation show.
- Stories about violence against children and young women are too difficult for you to watch.
The series is directed by Christian Dyekjær and produced by GODT Media, a Danish production company known for documentaries with a strong social angle . The storytelling is sensitive but does not shy away from the emotional devastation. It is a short commitment, running only three episodes long, with runtimes of approximately 41, 38, and 47 minutes respectively.
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Release and Streaming Details
A Friend, A Murderer is available for streaming globally on Netflix. It premiered on March 5, 2026. Because it is a Netflix Original production, viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and everywhere else Netflix operates can stream all three episodes right now .
The series is listed as a limited series, meaning this story is complete in one season. There will be no follow-up seasons, as it covers the entire case from the initial disappearance in 2016 to the life sentence handed down in 2024 .
In the short time since its release, it has already generated significant discussion online. Viewers have taken to social media to express their disbelief, with one user describing the scenario as unimaginable: attending a party thrown by a friend to “forget a young girl’s body has been found,” only to discover years later that the friend was the killer . It is this kind of raw, emotional reaction that makes the series stand out in the crowded true crime genre.
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