It just premiered on Monday, and The Tylenol Murders, Netflix’s new series, has already made it into the list of most-watched productions on the streaming platform. And with good reason! Its intriguing plot, based on a true story, promises to bring the mysterious death of seven people—over 40 years ago—back into the spotlight. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s everything you need to know.
What is The Tylenol Murders about?
This documentary examines one of the most disturbing criminal cases in U.S. history: the Tylenol poisonings that occurred in 1982. Seven people died suddenly in Chicago after ingesting capsules of the medication contaminated with cyanide. What began as a series of unexplained deaths quickly turned into a national crisis, sparking widespread fear and launching one of the most extensive investigations in the country.
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The production is part of the Resolved Case franchise, whose first installment in 2024 covered the case of JonBenét Ramsey. In this new series, titled The Tylenol Murders, the event that turned an everyday medication into a symbol of terror is reexamined. The case also marked a turning point in how society views the safety of commercial products and the trust placed in popular brands.
The documentary explores multiple theories: was it the work of a lone killer, or was there a more complex network behind the crime? The series uncovers new leads, reveals shocking evidence, and features never-before-seen interviews with individuals directly connected to the case.
One of the most compelling testimonies comes from the main suspect, James Lewis, who died in 2023. His involvement remains a subject of debate, and the documentary seeks to uncover the truth about his role. With immersive storytelling, the series invites viewers to question what they thought they knew about one of the most chilling mysteries in modern history.
How many episodes does The Tylenol Murders have?
The documentary series consists of three parts. All episodes are now available on Netflix.
Were the Tylenol murders ever solved?
Although there are strong leads, the case remains unsolved. At the time, authorities focused on James W. Lewis, a fugitive who was convicted of attempting to extort Johnson & Johnson, demanding one million dollars in exchange for stopping the poisonings. However, he was never formally charged with the murders.
The documentary dedicates significant time to him, in which Lewis details his motives for writing the extortion letter and discusses his previous offenses. He served a 10-year prison sentence but always denied direct involvement in the contaminated Tylenol deaths—though many still believe he played a role.
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What did Johnson & Johnson do after the murders?
After the contaminated Tylenol deaths became known, Johnson & Johnson claimed it was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the product. The company pulled 5 million capsules of Tylenol from the market and insisted the drug had not been tampered with in its factories. However, it was later revealed that potassium cyanide had been used in quality control tests for the medication.
In 1983, the families of the victims in Chicago filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, arguing that the company knew its products could be altered. The company reached a settlement in 1991 without admitting any wrongdoing.
What are Netflix’s subscription plans?
To watch The Tylenol Murders, you’ll need a Netflix subscription if you don’t already have one. Currently, the streaming platform offers three subscription plans with different features to suit each user’s needs. Before choosing one, you can also take advantage of a free trial, which you may cancel at any time before the first payment is processed. These are the available plans and what they include with a monthly subscription:
Standard with ads
- Most series and movies in the catalog
- Full catalog of mobile games
- Content available in 1080p
- Downloads on 2 devices at once
Standard
- Series and movies without ads
- Full mobile game catalog
- Content available in 1080p
- Downloads on 2 devices at once
- Option to add 1 extra member
Premium
- Access to all content
- View on 4 devices at once
- 4k quality
- Downloads on 6 devices at once
- Option to add 2 extra members
How much does a Netflix subscription cost?
Prices vary depending on the package:
- Standard with ads: $7.99
- Standard: $17.99
- Premium: $22.99
