Dark Tourist

Taking inspiration from the sinister and twisted tourists of this world, New Zealand-based journalist ‘David Farrier’ travels the globe to showcase ideal holiday spots for 'dark tourists’. The Netflix original is shot in the classic documentary style but with the level of humour and quirkiness that this show has, its hard to call it, completely, a documentary. It’s more like a day in the life of a ‘Dark Tourist’ but the dark tourist is David Farrier and he’s not really a dark tourist and he’s really confused by dark tourism. The show has a perfect formula for holding a viewer’s engagement with raw entertainment but also the unveiling never-before known knowledge, about people, about cultures and about life around the world.

The 8-part series consists of 40 minute long episodes, labeled after the location in which they are shot. From the United States to Europe, Africa to South East Asia, then all the way back to the USA again, the show truly covers every corner of the globe. 

Episode one takes place in Latin America and discusses everything from the impact Pablo Escobar has had to preforming an exorcism on a demon-infested soul. Keeping in mind that these are still tourist destinations, it’s interesting to see how individuals and companies are capitalising of off such things. Examples like a Pablo Escobar lookalike holding interactive tours, taking you back to his drug smuggling days and tours where individuals pay to reenact crossing the US/Mexico boarder. 

The show really dives deep into the weird sub-culture world that most people would never have known about and presenter David Farrier couldn’t be a more perfect choice for our tour guide. Constantly pushing the show forward and keeping the viewer interested with his genuine passion, craving for culture and fascination for this dark and confusing world.