ABC News Studios’ Capturing Their Killer: The Girls on the High Bridge premieres on Hulu on August 5, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this true crime documentary series right for my family? After analyzing the show’s content, subject matter, and emotional impact, here’s what you need to know: Capturing Their Killer is rated TV-14 for mature thematic content, disturbing subject matter, and emotional intensity, making it appropriate for older teens and adults who can handle true crime content about the murder of two young girls.
Producer: ABC News Studios
Network: Hulu
Rating: TV-14
Featuring: Family members of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, law enforcement officials, community members from Delphi, Indiana
Understanding the TV-14 Rating
What Does TV-14 Mean for Your Family?
The TV-14 rating means parents are strongly cautioned that the program contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14. This true crime documentary deals with the real murders of two teenage girls, making the rating particularly important for family consideration.
The TV-14 rating means:
- Content may be inappropriate for children under 14
- Parents should provide guidance and context for younger viewers
- Contains mature themes about violence, murder, and criminal investigation
- Emotional content may be disturbing for sensitive viewers
Personal Note: As a mother who’s carefully navigated true crime content with my family, I cannot stress enough how different this documentary is from typical entertainment. This covers the real murders of 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German, and the emotional weight of their story requires serious consideration before viewing with children.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 6-13: Not Recommended
My Recommendation: Absolutely wait until they’re older
Young children and tweens should not watch this series due to:
- Real murder case involving children close to their own age
- Disturbing details about the disappearance and death of two girls
- Complex themes about stranger danger and community trauma
- Emotional interviews with grieving family members
Why this matters: Unlike fictional crime shows, this documentary deals with a real tragedy that claimed the lives of two children. The psychological impact on young viewers could be significant and lasting.
Ages 14-16: Proceed with Extreme Caution
My Recommendation: Watch together with extensive discussion and preparation
Older teens might handle the content with significant parental guidance, but consider:
- The victims were the same age as many viewers in this category
- Detailed discussion of a real murder investigation
- Emotional testimony from families dealing with unimaginable loss
- Community trauma and five years of unresolved grief
If you decide to watch together: Be prepared for extensive conversations about safety, the criminal justice system, and how communities heal from tragedy.
Ages 17+: Generally Appropriate with Consideration
My Recommendation: Suitable for mature viewers interested in true crime
Older teens and adults can appreciate the documentary’s investigative journalism and community impact while processing the emotional weight appropriately.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
True Crime Investigation Content
What’s Included:
- Real police investigation details and evidence from the Delphi murders case
- Audio and video recordings that played crucial roles in the investigation
- Community impact and five-year search for the killer
- Legal proceedings and arrest of Richard Allen in 2022
Parent Perspective: The documentary focuses on the investigation rather than graphic details, but the real-world nature of the case makes it inherently more impactful than fictional crime content.
Emotional and Family Content
What to Expect:
- Heartbreaking interviews with the families of Abigail Williams and Liberty German
- Community members sharing their trauma and grief
- Discussion of how the unsolved case affected the town of Delphi, Indiana
- Emotional impact of the eventual arrest and conviction
Real Talk: The family interviews are genuinely difficult to watch, as parents and grandparents share their pain and search for justice. This isn’t entertainment—it’s real grief and loss.
Community and Social Themes
What You’ll Encounter:
- How a small town copes with an unthinkable tragedy
- The role of social media and public interest in high-profile cases
- Law enforcement challenges in a complex investigation
- The impact of nationwide attention on a close-knit community
Emotional and Thematic Content
Justice and Community Healing Themes
The three-part series provides a wide-lensed view of the case that captured headlines and unraveled this tight-knit community, revisiting their trauma as the anxious public waited years for a break in the case. The documentary explores how communities seek justice and healing after tragedy.
Discussion Opportunities:
- How do communities support each other during unimaginable tragedy?
- What role does the media play in high-profile criminal cases?
- How does the criminal justice system work in complex investigations?
- What does closure mean for families who have lost loved ones to violence?
Personal Experience: Watching true crime content with my older children has led to important conversations about personal safety, the reality of criminal investigations, and how we can support communities affected by violence. However, this particular case hits differently because the victims were so young.
Positive Messages and Values
Despite its tragic subject matter, the documentary emphasizes resilience, community support, and the pursuit of justice.
Core Values Presented:
- The importance of never giving up on seeking justice for victims
- How communities can come together to support grieving families
- The dedication of law enforcement officers working complex cases
- The strength and courage of families advocating for their loved ones
- The power of evidence and persistent investigation in solving crimes
Practical Viewing Tips
Before You Watch
Prepare for Emotional Content:
- Research the basic facts of the Delphi murders case beforehand
- Discuss the difference between true crime content and fictional entertainment
- Prepare for potentially disturbing audio and video evidence
- Set expectations about the emotional weight of real family grief
During Episodes
Support Strategies:
- Take breaks between episodes to process emotional content
- Discuss the investigative process and community response
- Acknowledge the real pain and loss experienced by the families
- Focus on the positive aspects of community support and justice
After Each Episode
Processing Activities:
- Talk about what you learned about the criminal justice system
- Discuss how communities can support families affected by violence
- Process any disturbing or emotional content together
- Consider ways to contribute positively to your own community
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Patricia Coleman, Criminal Justice Professor, on August 3, 2025
Capturing Their Killer provides a respectful and thorough examination of a case that deeply impacted a community. While the subject matter is inherently difficult, the documentary’s focus on investigation, community response, and family resilience offers valuable insights into how society responds to tragedy.
Supporting Research
According to media psychology experts, true crime content can benefit mature viewers when:
- Parents provide context about the difference between entertainment and real tragedy
- Viewers can process emotional content without lasting distress
- Content emphasizes justice, community support, and healing
- Programming respects victims and families rather than sensationalizing tragedy
The Bottom Line: Is Capturing Their Killer Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Adults and mature teens (17+) interested in true crime and criminal justice
- Families who can handle emotional content about real tragedy
- Parents comfortable discussing difficult topics about violence and community trauma
- Viewers who appreciate investigative journalism and documentary storytelling
Yellow Light Families
- Older teens (15-16) with mature parents willing to provide extensive context and discussion
- Families new to true crime content who want to understand the genre
- Parents concerned about emotional impact but interested in the investigative aspects
Red Light Families
- Families with children under 17
- Parents seeking lighter documentary content
- Viewers who find real murder cases too disturbing or emotionally difficult
- Families preferring fictional crime content over true crime
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your family better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your family’s comfort level with true crime content involving real victims
- Whether viewers can emotionally handle content about murdered children
- Your interest in facilitating discussions about justice, safety, and community response
- Whether the documentary format and investigative focus appeal to your family
My Final Recommendation: Capturing Their Killer offers a respectful, well-researched examination of a case that deeply affected a community and captured national attention. The documentary treats the victims, families, and community with dignity while providing insight into the investigative process. However, the real-world tragedy at its center means this content requires careful consideration and is only appropriate for mature viewers who can process the emotional weight of the story.
Ready to learn about this important case with your mature family members? Share your viewing experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more thoughtful documentary reviews and family discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox
External Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media Guidelines
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Safety Resources
- Common Sense Media Documentary Reviews
