Season 1
8 episodes Jul 20, 2018 6.6
Overview
The definition of "tourism" is redefined as New Zealand filmmaker David Farrier sets his sights on the world of dark tourism. From nuclear tourism in Japan to Pablo Escobar-inspired tourism in Colombia to frontier tourism in Turkmenistan, David visits the world’s grisly and offbeat destinations, meeting travelers drawn to them, and the people telling these stories day after day.
Seasons
1 listed- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 8 episodes
- First aired
- Jul 20, 2018
- Last aired
- Jul 20, 2018
- Episode length
- 41m
- Network
- Netflix
Latest episode: S1 E8 Back in the USA (Jul 20, 2018)
Cast
Reviews
6 min readThe Uncomfortable Allure of Other People’s Pain
I’ve always been a little suspicious of travel shows. The ones that promise to take you somewhere "exotic" or "unspoiled" often feel like they’re selling more than just a destination—they’re selling a fantasy of escape, a curated version of the world where the messy, uncomfortable parts have been neatly edited out. So when I first heard about Dark Tourist, the Netflix series that follows journalist David Farrier as he visits places defined by tragedy, violence, or the macabre, I’ll admit I rolled my eyes.
Here we go again, I thought. Another show capitalizing on the spectacle of suffering, another excuse to gawk at other people’s pain from the safety of a screen.
But then I watched it. And I couldn’t look away.
What makes Dark Tourist different isn’t just its subject matter—though that’s certainly part of it—but the way it refuses to let the viewer off the hook. Farrier isn’t some detached narrator delivering witty observations from a safe distance. He’s right there in the frame, often looking as uncomfortable as we feel.
In one episode, he visits a nuclear disaster tour in Japan, where a guide cheerfully points out the "hot spots" in Fukushima while Farrier’s face betrays a mix of fascination and unease. It’s a small moment, but it’s telling. This isn’t a show about spectacle; it’s about the tension between curiosity and empathy, between the human desire to understand and the ethical weight of bearing witness.
That tension is at the heart of dark tourism itself, a phenomenon that’s as old as travel but has taken on new dimensions in the age of Instagram and viral content. The term refers to visiting sites associated with death, tragedy, or the macabre—think Chernobyl, Auschwitz, or the Killing Fields of Cambodia. But Dark Tourist expands the definition, taking us to places that are less obviously grim but no less unsettling: a tour of Pablo Escobar’s Medellín, where guides gloss over the violence of his reign with the same enthusiasm they’d use to describe a celebrity’s mansion; a "frontier tour" in Turkmenistan, where the government has turned the Karakum Desert into a surreal, state-sanctioned theme park; or a New Orleans ghost tour that leans heavily into the city’s history of slavery and racial violence, all while tourists sip hurricanes and laugh at jump scares.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.8/10
"A divisive but intriguing dive into the world of dark tourism, held together by David Farrier’s curious and often unsettling journey."
The series draws viewers in with its unique premise, exploring offbeat and often macabre travel destinations that cater to those seeking thrills beyond typical tourist spots. Farrier’s personal and unfiltered approach resonates with many, making the experience feel raw and immersive. However, some find the tone uneven, oscillating between dark humor and genuine unease, which can make it hard to fully connect with the material. latestnetflix.com's take is that the pacing and depth of exploration also leave a few wanting more substance or consistency.
What viewers praise
- Unique and intriguing premise The concept of dark tourism is fresh and compelling, offering a perspective on travel that most viewers haven’t considered before.
- Farrier’s engaging presence David Farrier’s curious and often vulnerable approach makes the series feel personal and relatable, even in unsettling situations.
- Unsettling and thought-provoking The series succeeds in making viewers reflect on the ethics and psychology behind dark tourism, sparking meaningful discussions.
- Visually immersive The locations and cinematography create a strong sense of place, enhancing the eerie and immersive atmosphere.
Common complaints
- Uneven tone The mix of dark humor and genuine unease can feel jarring, making it difficult for some to fully engage with the series.
- Lack of depth in some episodes A few segments feel rushed or superficial, leaving viewers wanting more exploration or context about the locations and their significance.
- Pacing issues The series occasionally drags, particularly in episodes where the narrative or Farrier’s journey doesn’t feel as compelling.
- Divisive reactions The subject matter and Farrier’s approach polarize audiences, with some finding it exploitative or in poor taste.
Recommended for
Documentary enthusiasts Travel and culture explorers Fans of offbeat storytelling Those curious about dark tourism Viewers who enjoy personal journeys People interested in ethical dilemmas
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe waiver mentioned teeth.
David Farrier spent three days at McKamey Manor for the last episode of Netflix's Dark Tourist. On camera he called Russ McKamey the man who could give a dark tourist "the most extreme weekend ever," then asked whether McKamey was a showman or a psychopath. latestnetflix.com's take is that Later he told Uproxx the gimmick was payment in dog food and torture until you break.Hog-tied. Dunked in ice water. Waterboarded. On 30 July 2018 he tweeted he would not rush back. The eight-part series had been live for ten days. 
, ,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vV1xaLCONw
Netflix dropped every episode on 20 July 2018. Farrier, the New Zealand journalist who had already made Tickled, walked through Escobar tours in Medellin with the late hit man Popeye, a Geiger-counter stroll in Fukushima's Tomioka, a swim in a Kazakhstan nuclear lake, and a ketamine stitch-up after cutting his hand in Turkmenistan. In the finale a Charles Manson pen pal asked why he was trying to be Louis Theroux. "I'm like the cheap version of Louis Theroux," Farrier said. The Hollywood Reporter printed the line as diagnosis, not insult. , ,
Sophie Gilbert at The Atlantic watched him in pink pineapple shorts and saw a genial librarian who had booked the wrong holiday. David Stubbs at The Guardian filed the series with Ross Kemp's Extreme World and Vice, educational enough, also a little sordid. Farrier told The Saturday Paper the mock Mexico-U.S. border crossing was "pretty ethically murky." He laughed with a gun at his head because he was nervous. He wanted that laugh left in. Critics heard a man selling tickets to other people's disasters and calling it inquiry. , ,
A haunt with a petition
McKamey outlived the series. In 2019 Business Insider counted roughly 80,000 signatures on a Change.org petition that called the attraction a torture chamber. McKamey said people had always tried to shut him down. In 2023 Tennessee's attorney general opened a consumer-protection file over safewords, waivers, and a prize nobody collected. Farrier's forty minutes became a footnote in a longer American horror story. Season 2 never arrived. Wikipedia, citing Farrier's own newsletter, says the pandemic stopped it. In a November 2019 Reddit AMA he had already shrugged that there was "just one season at this stage," because his work takes a long time. The cheap Theroux line stuck. So did the teeth on the waiver. , , , 
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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