The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman (2022) Netflix Documentary Review 

I believe after watching the series, the current legal system is too outdated to deal with conmen like this guy. In my opinion, life sentence was the right call. I really felt sorry for what this guy was able to put through these families. The evidence is there, I don’t see how the court was able to overturn his case. I hope those kids find their mother soon, he will probably dump her when her money is gone.

Great review , I’m honestly in shock watching the full thing. How he’s not in prison is so disgusting & how Sandra’s children haven’t seen her in years

How did Robert know the dog buyer had spoken to the police?? Just like he knew that info about Sarah, clearly someone in the police force was helping him.

There should be a law that when a person is suspected to be in the control of a conman/cult that they be required to spend time away from that person just to see if the control could be diluted.

So strange....as a documentary, I needed to understand the timeline...this one,that one...who, where, when? And yes, I adored the Daddy - his devotion & intelligence; in fact, he could feature in a drama as the central character! 🙏🏻💔🙏🏽

I liked this docuseries, but it felt unfinished in many ways. I hope that they do a season 2, with more focus on who Robert was before he worked in the bar, what his marriage was like, what his daughters think about all this, the psychological factors, and anything that happens because the docuseries went out. Everyone is asking the same question... where is he now?

The ONLY smart intelligent victim with ANY backbone in this documentary was Peter Smith, the farmer, the father of Sarah Smith. HE did ALL that he could do, collecting evidence against this conman. Yes! You got it at 3:11!

I found this interesting. More so about the psychology of the human mind. The fact he did this and was able to do so is quite apparent, but as there were more than one I was amazed how easily people are fooled but more amazingly for a very long period of time and still so. I'm glad the father of the two children are there for them. They seem like lovely people and I wish them well.

I’m not understanding allowing some new man you met to change how you behave or act towards your children. The first episode disgusted me with the mom.

Its crazy how naive these ppl were.. i was watching this and I literally said “well thats dumb” at least 100 times

I found it very fascinating, but I also missed more information on the psychology of it all. Also I was surprised that it was over, when it was over. Seemed like they took everything that was more or less public knowledge and put it in the documentary, but when it might have been time to really start digging, it was over. Nevertheless nice to watch, never boring. Looking forward to the Tinder Swindler on Netflix!

Just from watching it. Oh boy I am so mad 😡. I have so many questions too

Looking forward to your Ozark season 4 review!

Once again you captured this documentary so accurately with the high points and flaws, Worth seeing and of denote interest.

we need a documentary about this guy, background, influences etc. coz this story almost sound made up, how can one man possess so much power. I promise you he is so good at his cons more than some MI15 AND FBI agents lol, nevertheless a cruel individual!

I can’t believe no one’s trying to find that mother and put some sense in to her ! She’s obviously another victim, and police just took her word for it that she wants to be with him !

Completely agree with your opinion. The doc was good but sooooo much info was missing

Like if you think Sarah’s Dad need his own show… He is my new superhero Hahahaha Hahahaha

You did amazing job indeed , the documentary is not fully done. I love the theory about the frog in the pot. I think they were hopeful rather than living in reality. I watched till episode 2 😂 took a mini snap and checked for review.

Very good review! You brought up all the right points.

So much was unexplained. Driving round on holiday playing Duran Duran Ordinary World over and over again . Ik he was manipulating them but on what level? Was he using mass hypnosis? Where he did he learn all this ? What was he like at school? So many questions.

I found it interesting. I'm still surprised that seemingly intelligent people can be so easily fooled. Excellent review..👍How it happened would have been something to concentrate on. As far as admitting you are a spy? I think only "Bond......James Bond" could get away with that and be believed!!

This guy took 3 humans from city to city for 10 years haha it’s utterly bonkers

Dexter style justice is the only solution for this monster…

Thanks Chris …checking this out tonight.

Being a crime docu fanatic, I also enjoy watching these Netflix crime series, but I also felt it lacks some important parts most of the time. In this story, what they missed big time was the opportunity to explain the psychological side of it. A lot of parts in the beginning where there were obvious signs of hypnosis and brainwashing but it wasn’t explained at all. Oh well.. moral of the story, never believe someone who claims they are a spy… for the sole reason that a real spy will never do such a thing.

Good review Chris. That was very good.

I was shocked he was released from prison after impersonating an MI5 agent

I just hope that the film will limit his world and somehow put him in jail.

Loved this video 👏👏

Why cannot he be convicted for his frauds if not for kidnapping was my question when I was watching this documentary.

Will check this out,reviews are so subjective, with our individual interests

I binged it all last night. Great review. A half-arsed, rushed, incomplete Netflix documentary. How surprising!

Netflix's documentary had been a hit and miss a lot of times. this one is surely a miss. It could have been an interesting one, but it didn't deliver.

Dear Movies And Munchies: You are correct when you say that this "peculiar" doc lacked background information. The obvious reason for me is that this Con Man wasn't as efficient as this film maker wants us to believe. I have an MA in Social Psychology and I studied the scientific literature about "attitude change" ( aka "persuasive communication" ) very deeply as a grad student. Based on what I've learned, I can assure you that this guy approached MANY people before he found the ones who were most susceptible to his charms. I'll bet my Soc Sec pension check that this guy had less than a 10% success rate in terms of all the people he approached. Of course, the film maker doesn't want to reveal that because it would make this Con Man look less persuasive, as well as making his "victims" look like the most Naive and Gullible people in Society (which, in Reality, they were !!!). The unspoken premise of the film is that the people that this man "hooked" were the ONLY Ones he tried to "hook". However, such a premise is Unsustainable and Absurd. I can assure you that this man's victims were well outside the Bell shaped curve of Gullibility, and even a skilled Con Man needs to look long and hard for such unfortunate Super Suckers.

Awesome

The dad was awesome

I just watch the show. And it s really sad that how people can be manipulated that much. That s really sad how can people can be brain washed . That s sad.

This dude knew what to look for on a woman which were women without siblings, finding out their parents had some money, and guillble. These women were willing participants in getting the money. Sara kept saying she could not believe her parents wanted her back. Guilty tears

I completely agree. They could have done better showing how they fell for it. And continued

What would you rate this?

A loving mum normal life , think this lady seriously controlled prob violence and threats involved , no other reason why she wodnt c her children so sad really feel for her kids

It was disgusting, unbelievable, horrible , and I am speeches .

Sarah wanted to protect her family so much that she didn’t care driving them to an early grave my ringing them at all times of the day and night. I believe she fell in love with the malignant narcissist.

I have questions too like how the other lady stayed 10 years believing him, I understand she could have been brainwashed but she should have noticed something was off. Shouldn't an MI5 or FBI agent be funded? Why insist on getting your inheritance unless you're in love with him or something.... Anyway another thing is how did he have so many details about his victims including their bank balances and what not? I enjoyed it though

Never watched Ozark ,never will

😮😮

Anyone purporting to be on the run in the UK from the RA BETTER be just that you don’t mess with or bring them in to crap like this. For the Doc not to mention this or even comment on it was a wee bit surprising to say the least. Also the way the American lady’s story was explained left more questions than actual answers, I did watch it though.. with some popcorn which is an apt word to describe the bulk of Netflix “journalistic documentaries” 😂

I've just come across this documentary. So Infuriating! I stopped watching when I realized this documentary wasn't going to have a "satisfying" resolution--or in fact, a resolution of any kind. I'm usually a very compassionate person, and I understand how easy it is to fall for scams and cons--I, myself, have been scammed before-- but this documentary got me so incensed at the gullibility of so many people who seemed smart. The Smith father seemed smart, too, but then gave in when the guy was making his daughter make all those phone calls because of his wife. Why didn't he just unplug the phone? Give him the finger? And the Clifton daughter stopped talking to her father and brother for two years and gave the man 10 K pounds. I was like, WHAT! How did the pos learn she has that kind of money in the bank? Surely, she wouldn't have told that pos about it? Or would she? I mean, what kind of hold did he have on her to make her give him this info? And wasn't she there when he padlocked her mom's bedroom? I mean, WHAT! Unless the girl was into this guy, too. Maybe that's something that was left out. And the woman with the dog business. The pos accused her of talking to the police, saying that the records showed it. What records? Did she give him access to her phone record or other records? I mean, really. And, what part of "for life" sentence means a few years? Is it a British thing? Or was it that this pos also conned them into releasing him early? WHAT! Disgusting! There's no justice.

It was well done but I didn't see any victims. Just gullible people looking for someone to follow. Felt sorry for the families left behind, especially those poor kids who were abandoned by their mother. At least they have a good father.

I can't finish it- you can't just say this guy is doing all of this and not explain how he was able to manipulate them- I hate this series- it's absolute trash

Shows how weak human minds can be

These are the cases where a woman will eventually accuse the man of abuse and control instead of taking responsibility for their actions. Sandy is a grown ass woman who is now a con artist with her con artist boyfriend. It's diabolical and heartbreaking..

Thanks, was expecting beeing frustrated with a bullshit review of how exeptional this story was and how you woulde fall out of your chair watching it, like so many other overhyped true crime documentaries, like the tigerking etc. but this explains very well why this documentary is boring as fuck, without saying it. There is nothing to take home from this documentary. All you see is the victims explaining what happend, and what happend makes no sence because we get to know nothing about the conman. I've only seen the first two episode and im kicking my self for wasting my time.

Your channel is really growing. Congrats! Do not waste another day - P r o m o S M !!!