Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, which just dropped on Netflix and is already being hailed as one of the most shocking cyberbullying documentaries ever made.
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish premiered on August 29, 2025, as a feature-length documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. Directed by Skye Borgman, known for her acclaimed true crime documentaries including “Abducted in Plain Sight” and “Girl in the Picture”, this Netflix original documentary unravels the true story of a relentless high school cyberbullying campaign that rocked the small community of Beal City, Michigan.
The documentary doesn’t just present another cyberbullying case; it exposes a chilling twist that transforms what initially appears to be anonymous harassment into something far more disturbing and personal. Unknown Number demonstrates how digital technology can be weaponized by those closest to us, creating a psychological thriller that feels more like a horror movie than a traditional documentary.
The Terror Campaign That Shattered a Small Town
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish follows teenage Lauryn and her boyfriend who become targets of relentless harassment from an anonymous phone number that sends vulgar, taunting texts for months. The documentary reveals how these messages contained information that only someone close to Lauryn could have known, creating a mystery that consumed the entire community of Beal City, Michigan.
The film meticulously documents how the harassment escalated from occasional cruel texts to a daily barrage of threats and vile insults over 15 months. Each revelation builds tension as viewers witness how anonymous digital terror can destroy not just individual lives but entire families and communities.
Lauryn: A Teenager Under Digital Siege
The documentary centers on Lauryn, a high school student whose life became a nightmare when the anonymous messages began targeting her and her relationship. Through interviews and archival material, viewers see how the constant harassment affected her mental health, academic performance, and relationships with family and friends.
Lauryn’s experience represents the vulnerability of modern teenagers who live much of their lives online, where anonymity can provide cover for the cruelest forms of psychological abuse. Her story demonstrates how cyberbullying can feel inescapable when the harassment follows victims everywhere through their devices.
The Investigation: When Police Uncover the Unthinkable
The documentary follows the police investigation that eventually traced the anonymous messages to their source, revealing a shocking truth that upended everything the community thought they knew about the case. The authorities’ methodical work to unmask the perpetrator creates genuine suspense as viewers piece together clues alongside the investigators.
This investigative process reveals how difficult it can be to track digital harassment and how sophisticated some perpetrators can be in covering their tracks. The revelation of the harasser’s identity creates one of the most jaw-dropping moments in recent true crime documentary history.
The Devastating Truth Behind the Anonymous Messages
The most shocking aspect of Unknown Number lies in the revelation that the person behind the anonymous harassment campaign was someone Lauryn trusted completely. The documentary doesn’t shy away from examining how this betrayal affected not just Lauryn but everyone in their orbit, creating a complex web of trauma that extends far beyond the original victim.
Without spoiling the specific details, the documentary explores how the perpetrator’s motives and methods reveal disturbing truths about manipulation, control, and the dark side of family dynamics in the digital age.
Success on Netflix
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish has generated significant buzz since its Netflix premiere, with viewers praising director Skye Borgman’s sensitive handling of such disturbing subject matter. The feature-length format allows for comprehensive exploration of the case without sensationalizing the victims’ trauma. Critics have highlighted how the documentary succeeds in creating genuine suspense while maintaining respect for those affected by the harassment campaign. The film has sparked important conversations about digital privacy, family dynamics, and the psychological impact of cyberbullying. Unknown Number stands out in Netflix’s true crime catalog for its shocking twist and its unflinching examination of how technology can be weaponized by those we trust most.
Essential Viewing for Understanding Digital Age Dangers
If you’re fascinated by true crime documentaries that explore the dark side of technology and family relationships, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is essential viewing on Netflix. This isn’t just another cyberbullying story; it’s a disturbing exploration of betrayal, manipulation, and the vulnerability of digital life.
Why This Shocking Case Demands Your Attention
Positive Aspects:
- Skye Borgman’s masterful direction creates genuine suspense while treating victims with respect and sensitivity
- Comprehensive investigation documentation shows the complexity of tracking digital harassment in the modern age
- Shocking twist that genuinely surprises viewers even as clues are presented throughout the documentary
- Important social commentary about the dangers of digital communication and anonymous harassment
- Feature-length format allows for thorough exploration without feeling rushed or exploitative
Areas for Improvement:
- Extremely disturbing subject matter may be triggering for viewers who have experienced cyberbullying or family betrayal
- The shocking revelation might overshadow important discussions about cyberbullying prevention and digital safety
- Limited exploration of the perpetrator’s psychological motivations beyond the basic facts of the case
- Heavy focus on the twist might leave viewers wanting more analysis of the broader implications
- Graphic descriptions of harassment messages could be distressing for sensitive audiences
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish proves that the most terrifying stories are often the ones where the monster turns out to be someone we never suspected, making it essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand the dark potential of digital communication.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 1 feature-length documentary (1 hour 34 minutes)
- Platform: Netflix
- Release Year: 2025
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Genre: True Crime Documentary
- Production Type: American Documentary
- Status: Currently available, complete documentary
- Director: Skye Borgman
- Focus: Cyberbullying case in Beal City, Michigan with shocking family connection