The problem with true crime documentaries is that viewers, more often than not, know the end result, which can dull the thrill of watching a far-fetched crime unfold. So the onus is on how the story is told, and in the case of Biggest Heist Ever, the story and narrative are so deliciously juicy that nothing else is needed to be fully entertained. My favorite part was the promise of a larger conspiracy, but that's a discussion for another paragraph.
The Bitfinex scam of 2016 was truly one of the biggest hacks of the time, one that didn't require anyone to threaten a bank employee to hand over funds. Overnight, your wallet simply stopped holding what you had deposited into it. To add insult to injury, one could see where the stolen funds are, but would not be able to access them in any way. Biggest Heist Ever is a rollercoaster story that shows the ups and downs of Heather Morgan and Ilya Lichtenstein and how embarrassing YouTube videos aren't always indicative of a person or couple's true nature.
Director: Chris Smith
Stars: Heather Morgan, Ilya Lichtenstein, Chris Janczewski
The documentary is able to put a ton of information into its short length, so much so that the pacing is fantastic and keeps you on your toes. The film runs the moment you press play, taking you on a journey through the murky waters of cryptocurrency trading and the dark web. The story of the heist itself is an interesting topic, one that the documentary takes the time to discuss and dissect. Viewers who aren't familiar with the world of cryptocurrency won't feel lost and might actually learn a few key things. It's told in a succinct and entertaining manner, so much so that viewers don't lose interest.
Most interesting of all, though, are the two key players in this heist, who turn out to be far more sinister than their clean internet persona. The film tells us just enough of their life story to help us connect the dots, but we can't help but want to know more about them afterward. These two are an enigma of human beings and long after the footage ends, I couldn't help but wonder who these people really are. The documentary manages to bring the two sides of this story together excellently and the testimonies from law enforcement and friends only add a layer of intrigue.
However, it is a little odd that we haven't seen a little more discussion surrounding Bitfinex's role in the scam and its failure to take responsibility and reimburse victims appropriately. It's sad to see so many victims lose so much money without much recourse. I think a little more discussion on this topic would have shed a little more light on the situation.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I felt absolutely thrilled while watching this documentary. While true crime is always fascinating, viewers may find it nearly impossible to match up Razzlekhan's character to a billion-dollar scammer. This will be a thoroughly entertaining show that viewers will enjoy.
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