As the 47th President of the United States desperately tries to distance himself from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, the definitive documentary on the deceased child predator has returned to the Netflix charts. Briefly reaching the Top 10 most-viewed TV shows in the U.S., Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich is a deeply disturbing four-part docuseries that chronicles the unthinkably odious criminal behavior perpetrated by one of the wealthiest men in America.
As difficult as the documentary is to watch at times, there’s no better time to understand the current news headlines about the infamous Jeffrey Epstein birthday letter, accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell’s “limited immunity” pardon plea, and the current U.S. President’s long-lasting ties to the serial child rapist and convicted sex trafficker. For those who missed the 2020 Netflix documentary the first time around, catch it now while the subject continues to swirl in the news.
‘Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich’ Gives Survivors a Chance To Speak
Lisa Bryant directed all four episodes of Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, a Netflix true crime docuseries that premiered in May 2020. Although the series shed little new light on the infamous child predator and serial rapist, the series gained acclaim for allowing several survivors of Epstein’s abuse to tell their stories. Beginning in New York City, where Epstein preyed on young, underage girls in his “Hunting Grounds,” the doc paints a mortifying portrait of a sick, diseased individual who uses his immense wealth, power, influence, and privilege to take advantage of young girls who often come from a poor background.
Along with his grooming accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein recruited countless underage girls to his gaudy Manhattan mansion under the auspices of giving massages. There, he used his authority to manipulate, sexually abuse, and physically violate girls as young as 14. In “Follow the Money,” the doc tracks the FBI investigation into Epstein’s criminality, which makes him so paranoid that he clears his estate of incriminating evidence after receiving a tip.
By the third episode, “The Island,” viewers get a clearer sense of the scale of Epstein’s sexual predation. Little St. James, commonly called Epstein Island, served as Epstein’s private compound in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he took victims and allegedly engaged in illegal sexual acts with minors, sometimes alongside high-profile guests named in the so-called Epstein Client List.
The fourth and final episode, “Finding Their Voice,” charts Epstein’s 2019 arrest for sex trafficking. Despite avoiding serious jail time in the past for similar crimes, Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 before sentencing. Six years later, the story won’t die, with the current U.S. President mired in controversy after being constantly linked to the Epstein Files.
Critical Response to ‘Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich’
Although it seems counterintuitive to praise a subject so vile, one of the reasons to watch Filthy Rich is how well it’s made. Directed with sharp focus by Bryant, the doc boasts an 81% Tomato Meter score on Rotten Tomatoes. Most critics hailed the series for offering a platform for the survivors to speak truth to power about their encounters with Epstein. As RT’s critical consensus states:
“It lacks new insight, but by focusing on the stories of survivors Filthy Rich sheds light on the lasting impact of Epstein’s crimes.”
Understandably, the series is much harder to sit through for general audiences. Filthy Rich holds a 67% Popcorn Meter score on Rotten Tomatoes, which fairly aligns with the series’ 61 Metascore and 7.1 IMDb rating. To be clear, nobody watches this documentary for pleasant amusement. Watching Filthy Rich is far from easy, but like bitter medicine, it’s necessary viewing for anyone trying to understand one of the biggest sex scandals in U.S. history.
Aside from exposing Epstein’s evil, the most valuable aspect of Filthy Rich is hearing from the women who survived his abuse. The doc ends with several survivors “Finding Their Voice,” with Epstein’s accuser confronting him in court, face-to-face. While nothing will ever justify his criminal acts, at least the doc doesn’t revel in the salacious details for too long and ends by giving Epstein’s accusers the time and place to air their traumatic grievances.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time To Watch Netflix’s ‘Filthy Rich’
Although Epstein allegedly died by suicide in 2019, his name continues to dominate headlines. More relevant than ever, the current U.S. Presidential administration has been playing fast and loose with the Epstein Files since it took office six months ago. In February 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, along with the FBI, declassified criminal files relating to Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors. According to Bondi via the Department of Justice:
“This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators. The first phase of files released today sheds light on Epstein’s extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability.”
Five months after the announcement, Bondi and the DOJ made a 180-degree turn and claimed that an Epstein Client List doesn’t exist. The claim sent the public, namely POTUS supporters, into a feeding frenzy hungry for answers. Despite old and new evidence depicting the President acting friendly with Epstein for over 30 years, POTUS claims he hardly knew Epstein. This contradicts a now-infamous statement the President gave about Epstein to New York Magazine in 2002, in which he said:
“I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
The most recent development in the Epstein saga relates to a 2003 birthday letter written, in part, by the President. POTUS has denied any ties to the letter, despite his signature being on the letter and other overwhelming evidence that continues to be released. The more the administration tries to make the Epstein story go away, the more it gains public traction.
Ghislaine Maxwell, who was given a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking on Epstein’s behalf, has recently sought a presidential pardon and gained “limited immunity” for new testimony relating to the Epstein birthday letter. Pam Bondi has since informed the President that he is indeed named in the Epstein Files, sending the White House into a full-fledged panic to make the story disappear ASAP. Denial, distraction, and obfuscation have been part of the playbook as the public awaits the next development.
Six years after Epstein’s alleged suicide, the story has never been more timely or topical, which is precisely why the disturbing Netflix docuseries has returned to popularity on Netflix. If ever there was a time to catch up with Filthy Rich, it’s now. Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich is available to stream on Netflix.
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