Joe Berlinger wanted to understand how one man who seemingly came from a loving home went on to terrorize New York City.
The director, who has been nominated for an Oscar, has introduced a new true-crime docuseries on Netflix titled “Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes.” This series includes newly discovered audio interviews conducted in 1980 between David Berkowitz and crime reporter Jack Jones at Attica Correctional Facility.
The three-part series also highlights a phone conversation Berlinger had with Berkowitz, 72, who is serving multiple life sentences for his murders.
Wendy Savino was shot multiple times by David Berkowitz in 1976. (Courtesy of Netflix © 2025)
In addition to hearing Berkowitz speak, the film also highlights interviews with detectives, journalists, loved ones, survivors and others closely connected to the case. Berlinger said it was important for him to get the blessing of the survivors, in particular, to move forward with the project.
Numerous family members, survivors and loved ones spoke out in Joe Berlinger’s new docuseries about the “Son of Sam” case. Pictured here is Vinny Minutolo, who was romantically involved with Donna Lauria before her murder in 1976. (Courtesy of Netflix © 2025)
“It’s always important to include the victim’s point of view in these shows,” Berlinger explained. “I always reach out to victims and want their participation, or at the very least, their blessing. I have canceled shows in the past where the victims have said, ‘This will hurt us if you do this.’ And it was heartbreaking to hear the accounts of the survivors in this film. These were young people doing quintessential things that people in their youth do. This random act of violence snuffed out their hopes and dreams and reverberated for decades.”
In 1977, Robert Violante and his date Stacy Moskowitz were shot by David Berkowitz. Moskowitz, 19, didn’t survive her injuries. Violante’s eyes were damaged. (Courtesy of Netflix © 2025)
Berlinger noted that the primary reason he agreed to reach out to Berkowitz was because of Wendy Savino. She was recently confirmed by the New York Police Department as Berkowitz’s first known victim. The director wanted to see whether Berkowitz would weigh in on that shooting.
“I believe that she was a victim of his,” said Berlinger. “I can’t say whether he believes it or feels a need to deny it.”
David Berkowitz is serving a life sentence in upstate New York. He claims to be a born-again Christian. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025 (Courtesy of Netflix © 2025)
Berkowitz now claims he is a born-again Christian and feels remorseful. He previously appeared to relish the media attention he received and sold his exclusive story rights to a publishing house, History.com reported.
According to the outlet, New York State was the first to adopt a nationwide series of laws that take the proceeds a criminal earns from selling their story and instead gives them to a victims’ compensation fund.
John Comparetto spoke about his encounters with David Berkowitz. (Courtesy of Netflix © 2025)
It’s unclear whether Berkowitz is sincere about being remorseful, but his message to his younger self has stayed with Berlinger.
For the docuseries, Joe Berlinger spoke to David Berkowitz. (Courtesy of Netflix © 2025)
“When I asked him, ‘If you could speak to the young David, what would you tell him? ‘ he said, ‘Run, get help. I could have talked to my father,’” Berlinger recalled.
“That touched me deeply,” he said. “… If you’re feeling rage or disconnection, and you’re concerned about this level of rage that you live with every day, get help.”
