The TikTok Killer [2026]

April 7, 2026

2-part Documentary (45 minutes per episode, around 1.30 hours altogether)

Despite its clickbait title, The TikTok Killer is actually quite an engaging and bizarre new Spanish Netflix true crime documentary. However, I’m not sure everyone will like it. Just to be clear, the case is super-interesting if nothing else than fully confirming the old “judge the book by its cover” saying. What could be problematic for some of the viewers is the pacing, structure, and the lack of mystery. So, if you’re looking for something that will “hook” you, maybe just skip this one. If, however, you’re willing to look beneath the surface and focus on the characters, events, and larger structures at play, you will be greatly rewarded. I think that most of this could’ve been avoided with a different title and presentation. Then again, if they opted for that route, perhaps the execs wouldn’t greenlight the project.

The TikTok Killer is about the sudden disappearance of Esther Estepa, a 42-year-old woman who vanished without a trace in 2023 near Alicante, Spain. Her family and friends are left stunned and immediately begin searching for answers. While the police are sluggish to respond because of her age and lifestyle, one man keeps the search for her alive. His name is José “Dynamite” Jurado Montilla, a travel vlogger with a sizeable audience on TikTok and other social networks. Despite being 60, he’s on the move constantly, filming his adventures around Spain and showcasing its beauty. He’s also constantly reminiscing about his time with Esther. It also just so happens to be that he’s the last person to see her alive. And I think you know where this is going from there.

Most true crime documentaries focus on the same type of case with basically the same type of individuals. Both as victims and as perpetrators. This is probably due to the media attention the cases get, and you know what type of cases the media loves. To dig a little deeper into this, it’s not like the media does this randomly. They are driven by the public’s response and larger narratives, some consciously and some subconsciously injected into the mix. There’s a reason why, for example, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women cases get no traction, both from law enforcement and the media. This particular trend is slowly starting to shift, but it’s nowhere near where it needs to be.

The protagonists we’re going to meet in The TikTok Killer belong to the parts of society often overlooked and abandoned. You know the deal: if you lead a somewhat unconventional lifestyle, you’re practically barely a part of society. For example, if you’re not married with children and you’re over forty, you’d better have a good explanation. Otherwise, almost every person you meet will impose their negative moral judgment on you. Satanforbid you to have some additional “issues” like not having a job or even working, but online. And if you use public shelters and live on the fringes of society, the general population basically says you deserve what happens to you. The treatment is the same from law enforcement, with rare exceptions.

One of those exceptions is this case. While, at first, it seems that the police are not doing anything to find Esther, you soon learn that they’re interviewing and tracking down suspects, to their credit. However, there will be a lot of incompetence and systemic failure on their side here. That wasn’t of crucial importance in this particular case of Esther, but we still don’t know what happened afterwards. This also means that the case is still open and yet to be concluded, I suspect in the next year or two, as everything is ready to go. Moving on, the interviews with Esther’s mother, sister, and friends were very illuminating and also quite emotional. We will learn how those without permanent housing live their days and how, for example, shelters for women work straight from the people who live there.

While they seem a bit rough around the edges, all of these people have a kind heart and a devastating life story. We tend to look away from them, and I have to admit I’m somewhat similar, and that is okay. I’m not trying to make you feel guilty or anything, that’s just life. After all, the second episode of The TikTok Killer is pertinent to this notion. I just wish there were more of an organized response from the government for the people who are struggling. That’s a huge topic I’m not going to get into. Mostly because I want to focus on the man who’s the main topic of this documentary. Before I do that, I have to mention someone. David, a 21-year-old young man who was murdered just one year before Esther’s disappearance, is only briefly mentioned.

I wish we had learned more about him and the circumstances of his. This might be due to ongoing legal proceedings, but still. With that being said, let’s talk about José “Dynamite” Jurado Montilla. The first thing you’re going to notice about him is his bad teeth. Man, if it wasn’t clear before, it’s definitely clear now, no matter what you do or want in life, you gotta have a decent set of teeth. This is coming from someone who just recently underwent a procedure to fix all of his teeth, and the difference was noticeable. I also remembered a line from a Spanish movie, El Correo, when one of the professionals in the money laundering scheme schools her young colleague to immediately get his teeth fixed. Speaking of appearances, this sixty-year-old who’s living rough looks healthier and more vital than most of the sixty-year-olds I’ve ever seen.

So, a lot of walking and activity are key to a healthy life. And age does not have to be an obstacle in this journey. Of course, perhaps the main point The TikTok Killer is trying to make is that looks can be deceiving. They can also be quite straightforward. And in some rare cases, they can be both. Like in this one. Finally, I want to finish this text on a positive note. And note regarding Spain. It’s just so fucking beautiful that I definitely want to visit it as soon as possible. Considering my pretty abysmal financial situation, that might take a while, but a man can dream. If you’re looking for something similar to this documentary, check out The Predator of Seville.