What we flagged
View all categoriesOur take
A dramatization of South Carolina serial killer Donald Gaskins from the 1960s to 1980s. Dialogue includes frequent f-words, murder references, drunk abuse and suicide mentions. Expect stabbings, shootings, buried bodies and extreme cruelty toward vulnerable victims. Best for 17+.
Uplifting themes
Law-enforcement persistence eventually exposes the killer Investigators show determination, while most other characters are victims or villains
Story (may spoil tone)
South Carolina serial killer Donald “Pee-Wee” Gaskins carried out a reign of terror marked by extreme brutality. He stabbed, shot, drowned, and poisoned victims from his own community as well as hitchhikers, often targeting the vulnerable. Beneath the rural land near his home, bodies lay hidden in shallow graves, concealing years of violence. His history of crime masked the depth of his cruelty—until authorities uncovered the truth, exposing the full horror of his murders.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Serial murders by stabbing, shooting, drowning and poisoning are depict…
Serial murders by stabbing, shooting, drowning and poisoning are depicted
Language Frequent strong language, including many f-words, in tense scenes
Frequent strong language, including many f-words, in tense scenes
Sex / nudity Brief lover references appear in dialogue; no explicit sex scenes
Brief lover references appear in dialogue; no explicit sex scenes
Drugs / alcohol Drunk abuse and bottle throwing show up in domestic-violence scenes
Drunk abuse and bottle throwing show up in domestic-violence scenes
Frightening A true-crime horror tone and buried bodies create sustained dread
A true-crime horror tone and buried bodies create sustained dread
Self-harm / suicide Suicide comes up in dialogue about victims or suspects
Suicide comes up in dialogue about victims or suspects
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Graves, weapons and graphic killing methods feature throughout
Graves, weapons and graphic killing methods feature throughout
Dangerous behaviour Hitchhiking risk is a story theme
Hitchhiking risk is a story theme
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Funeral-home references and victim families' loss appear
Funeral-home references and victim families' loss appear
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Why do filmmakers retell real serial-killer stories, and what risks come with that?
- How should teens process graphic true-crime violence responsibly?
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Gaskins: The Hitchhiker Killer
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