The #1 Documentary On the Netflix Charts Is Leaving Viewers “Shocked” And “Enraged”

Sharai Bohannon |

Jan 12, 2023

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker hit Netflix Tuesday and flew to the number 1 spot on their Top 10 Movies Chart in the U.S. What looked like a bizarre documentary quickly revealed itself to be a very upsetting story of exploitation, mental illness, and murder.

Synopsis

This shocking documentary chronicles a happy-go-lucky nomad’s ascent to viral stardom and the steep downward spiral that resulted in his imprisonment. The film is directed by Colette Camden.

Kai was interviewed in a video that went viral in February 2013. His wild tale made him a bit of an internet hatchet-wielding hero hitchhiker. However, in May 2013, he was arrested for murder in what he says was self-defense. His newfound fans immediately started raising funds for his legal defense. Sadly, the jury found him guilty, and he is now serving a sentence of 57 years in prison.

Watch The Trailer For The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker

Viewers immediately took to Twitter to share their shock, dismay, and disgust with the people who exploited Kai (born Caleb Lawrence McGillvary) and the way his case was handled.

See What Twitter Is Saying About The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker

Watching Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker doc on Netflix and they’re not talking enough about how they clearly saw he had mental issues from the beginning but wanted to leech off him going viral
— TJ Detwieler (@jenkiessss) January 10, 2023

https://twitter.com/chenoa_marie/status/1613073659119423488?s=20&t=hWixef6sh9VuK1YtiMO3hg

Watching that Netflix Documentary: Kai The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker and the first thing that shocked me was how TV execs wanted to exploit the fuck out of a seriously mentally ill person who *checks notes* bludgeoned someone with a hatchet but went viral cos he’s “nice” pic.twitter.com/rw6ntHQfnR
— Steve Beck (@stevejbeck) January 10, 2023

Just watched The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker and felt so upset. Sure, Kai had serious issues and should be locked up but why no one looked into his rape claim and how about those showbiz people trying to exploit him? No real help. Still exploiting him now with this Netflix doc.
— Ellen Nguyen (@ellengau) January 12, 2023

Watching 'The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker' really weird that all the people chatting on camera have no perception of how exploitative they were/are.
— Ingrid Holme (@HolmeIngrid) January 10, 2023

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker is a bad documentary. Really, really bad. It could have been compelling, even meaningful. It was, at best, lazy. Genuinely disgusted by it.
— Lauren Nelson (@SnarkySmarty) January 11, 2023

https://twitter.com/GrrlGhost/status/1613307446994296834?s=20&t=hWixef6sh9VuK1YtiMO3hg

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker on netflix will make you mad at both reality tv and governments’ unwillingness to provide their people with the services they so desperately need.
— Marcella Arguello (@marcellacomedy) January 12, 2023

Wow Kai’s mother really does not give a shit about him in the documentary the hatchet wielding hitchhiker on netflix. He never stood a chance.
— Lesley K (@Lesleykmakeup) January 10, 2023

actually in awe of how stupid everyone on the Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker documentary is. the guy has obvious serious mental illness and everyone rushed to be the first to exploit him
— 🙂 (@THRlLLHO) January 10, 2023

Not to like defend Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, but the worst part of the documentary is the cops saying “why would he go back to the home of someone who allegedly SA’d him?” ?
— Ky (@kyy_cacha) January 10, 2023

I was so saddened by the ending of Kai’s story on Netflix The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker. I didn’t know any of this happened but I do believe he killed his abuser. It doesn’t warrant a 57 years sentence, I honestly feel so bad for him!
— PAYASA (@PayasaArt) January 11, 2023

Just watched Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker and now I’m just sad. He was failed by so many, but the exploitation of this young man was egregious. I knew so many people like him in my 20s that were in need of mental health services and now they’re wasting away in prison
— Pam Miller ? (@pn9105) January 10, 2023

https://twitter.com/Liamj1Lj/status/1612953655249879040?s=20&t=hWixef6sh9VuK1YtiMO3hg

https://twitter.com/notkendalnope/status/1613374721462095873?s=20&t=hWixef6sh9VuK1YtiMO3hg

Because the documentary wasn’t heavily publicized most viewers were unaware of what the film was about until they hit play. Now they find themselves questioning how so many systems failed Kai, the justice system, and calling out the various people who exploited his story.

Let me know if you have watched The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker on Netflix at @misssharai

Tags:Netflix The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker

Categorized:News

Sign up for The Harbinger a Dread Central Newsletter