A True-Crime Sensation Grips Viewers
Netflix’s latest true-crime documentary,
“Unknown Number: The High School Catfish,” has exploded into a viral sensation since its August 29, 2025 release, captivating audiences with its chilling tale of cyberbullying, betrayal, and a twist that no one saw coming. Set in the quiet Michigan town of Beal City, the film dives deep into a real-life mystery that tore apart a close-knit community and left viewers questioning the dark side of our digital age.
The Story: When Texts Turn Terrifying
The documentary follows
Lauryn Licari, a high school student, and her boyfriend,
Owen McKenny, who began receiving a barrage of threatening and demeaning text messages from an unknown number in late 2020. The harassment, which targeted Lauryn’s appearance and included disturbing messages about Owen, persisted for over 15 months, escalating fears among their families and school staff.
Authorities—including the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office, Bay City police, and even the FBI—launched an intensive investigation. The relentless search for the perpetrator became a community obsession, with parents and friends conducting their own amateur sleuthing alongside law enforcement.
The Shocking Reveal
After months of dead ends, investigators traced the IP address behind the texts. The revelation stunned everyone:
the culprit was Lauryn’s own mother, Kendra Licari. This bombshell discovery upended the narrative, raising uncomfortable questions about trust, family, and the hidden dangers lurking behind everyday technology.
Inside the Documentary
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker
Skye Borgman (
Abducted in Plain Sight), the film blends interviews with Lauryn, Owen, their families, friends, school officials, and law enforcement, alongside police bodycam footage and dramatic reenactments. The result is a gripping, sometimes unsettling portrait of a community blindsided by betrayal from within.
Key Production Details
| Role | Name(s) |
|---------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Director | Skye Borgman |
| Producers | Ross M. Dinerstein, Rebecca Evans |
| Executive Producers | Skye Borgman, Tom Forman, Ross Girard, et al.|
| Composer | Ian Hultquist |
| Runtime | 1h 34m |
| Distributor | Netflix |
Critical and Public Reaction
“Unknown Number” quickly shot into Netflix’s global Top 10, sparking heated debates online about privacy, parenting, and the ethics of true-crime storytelling. Critics are divided:
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The Guardian called it “a remarkable and chilling cautionary tale of the digital age”.
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TechRadar described it as “incredibly disturbing” and “binge-worthy”.
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In Review Online questioned whether the film crosses ethical lines, asking, “where is the line between examining human evil and exploiting child victims?”.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has generated strong audience interest, though critical scores reflect the controversy over its approach.
Why This Story Matters
The documentary’s impact goes beyond entertainment. It’s ignited conversations about:
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The dangers of cyberbullying and how technology can be weaponized—even by those closest to us.
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The limits of trust within families and communities.
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The responsibilities of documentary filmmakers in handling sensitive, real-life trauma.
As former Isabella County Prosecutor David Barberi told Fox 2, “I don’t think anybody was prepared for the response it’s gotten”.
What’s Next?
With “Unknown Number” dominating social media and watercooler talk, expect renewed scrutiny of cyberbullying laws, digital privacy, and the true-crime genre itself. For viewers, it’s a stark reminder: sometimes, the real monsters are much closer than we think.
Sources
1. "Unknown Number" grips viewers with small-town cyberbullying ...
2. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish - Wikipedia
3. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish | Official Trailer | Netflix
4. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish | Rotten Tomatoes
5. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (2025) - IMDb
