SYNOPSIS of Lover, Stalker, Killer:
Lover, Stalker, Killer is the latest addition to Netflix’s true-crime documentary library, and the case here is a rather intriguing and bewildering one. It has shocked viewers with its horrifying “love triangle” and twisted, tragic outcome. Lover, Stalker, Killer is a love triangle gone wrong—but not in the way the true-crime documentary first leads you to suspect.
It is even acknowledged within the documentary Lover, Stalker, Killer that the true story was so bizarre that those involved had never encountered anything like it before. Auto mechanic Dave Kroupa’s experience with online dating turns into a nightmare, leaving him and his loved ones victims of horrific crimes for years.
The documentary Lover, Stalker, Killer, set in Omaha circa 2012, focuses on a vengeful ex-lover who goes to extreme lengths to harm Kroupa, turning his life into a living hell. This movie is a compelling and well-presented addition to Netflix’s true crime library.
Sam Hobkinson is the director of this movie, known for Fear City. This movie, Lover, Stalker, Killer, is heavily based on the interviews of Kroupa, law enforcement personnel, and other dedicated individuals addressing the dark situation. The director aimed for the storytelling to mirror the protagonist’s confusion and eventual disbelief as he grasped the truth, adding complexity to the narrative.
SUMMARY of Lover, Stalker, Killer:
Dave Kroupa, a mechanic, meets Amy Flora and falls in love with her. Together, they start a family and have two kids. However, since they had different shifts, Dave Kroupa later separated from his partner and mother of his children.
Dave moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he started living his single life again. Because he doesn’t know anybody, he starts feeling lonely. After getting a job in the automotive industry, he goes to an online dating site to find a company.
He meets Shanna “Liz” Golyar and explains he is not looking for a long-term relationship, just casual hookups, which she is also comfortable with. Liz and Dave have a lot in common. Hence, it doesn’t take long for them to connect.
Later, he encounters Cari Farver at the garage where he works and is attracted to her, leading to them dating for around two weeks. In a chance encounter, Cari Farver and Liz meet each other at Dave’s apartment.
Cari worked three blocks from his apartment, which allowed them to spend a lot of time together. Dave was happy, until one day, everything changed. Cari begins texting and asking Dave to move in with her.
Cari eventually calls it off with Dave and claims that he ruined her life. Dave moves on, believing that things didn’t work out between them. Cari doesn’t stop texting him. This time around, she begins threatening him, promising to ruin his life.
A few days later, Cari’s mother filed a missing person’s report. The cops do approach Dave, who shows them her texts. The cops assume that it was just a bad breakup—something that will heal over time. She (Cari) texts her mother that she is not missing; she just doesn’t want to come home right now.
Then she starts to threaten his ex-girlfriend, Liz, telling her to stay away from Dave and blaming her for the end of their relationship. Detective Chris Legrow handles the case. He notices that Cari messages Dave as if she is right around the corner.
Unfortunately, Legrow never finds her anywhere near Dave. Even the locals claim to have not seen Cari.
Cari continues to harass Liz as well. It all comes to a point when Cari burns down Liz’s house. After this incident, Liz moves. Dave feels alone and decides to move as well. The case soon goes cold. Sergeant Jim Doty and Investigator Ryan Avis pick up the case.
They investigate and learn that Cari’s mother hasn’t seen her since November 11, 2012. She had not been seen physically for two years now. But Cari’s house tells a different story too. It’s as if she never left. After the investigation in 2015, police started to feel that Liz Golyar was a person of interest in the case. Evidence was finally found on an old SIM card that would incriminate Liz Golyar as the perpetrator of the stalking, the fire, and other activities designed to place the blame on Cari.
It would also lead to the revelation that Golyar had murdered Cari and had been using stalking and malicious threats as a way of diverting attention from her. Liz Golyar was eventually arrested after a four-year terror campaign and sentenced to life imprisonment, although no body or murder weapon was ever recovered.
CAST AND CREW of Lover, Stalker, Killer:
- Director: Sam Hobkinson
- Production: Curious Films
- Music: Nick Foster
- Cast: Jessica N Johnson, Chris Maher, Kattie Otten
- Release Date: February 9th, 2024
- Genre: Crime, Documentary
- Language: English