Netflix has done it again. Just when you thought you'd seen every possible twist in true crime documentaries, "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" arrives to leave your jaw on the floor. Released on August 29, 2025, this latest offering from director Skye Borgman (known for "Girl in the Picture" and "Abducted in Plain Sight") delivers a story so shocking that viewers are calling it one of the most disturbing documentaries of the year.
Unknown Number Netflix Cast
- Lauryn Licari – The 13-year-old high school student who was the primary target of the anonymous harassment.
- Kendra Licari – Lauryn’s mother, who was revealed to have orchestrated the cyberbullying campaign. She was arrested in December 2022, pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor, and was sentenced to 19 months to five years in prison. Kendra was released on August 8, 2024, and participated in the documentary after her release.
- Owen McKenny – Lauryn’s then-boyfriend, who also received the harassing messages and provides insight into the impact on their relationship.
- Shawn Licari – Lauryn’s father, who offers support to his daughter throughout the ordeal.
- Khloe Wilson – A classmate who was initially suspected in the case and speaks about the social repercussions she faced.
- Sophie Weber and Macy Johnston – Classmates who share their perspectives on the events.
- Mike Main – Isabella County Sheriff during the investigation.
- Bradley Peter – Bay City police officer who liaised with the FBI and helped trace the masked messages.
Watch Unknown Number Official Trailer
Unknown Number The High School Catfish: Where to Watch
So, if you’re itching to watch “Unknown Number: The High School Catfish,” Netflix is the main way to stream—and yes, it’s exclusive to Netflix (at least for now; who knows, with all these licensing wars). It slipped onto the platform earlier this year (2025), and honestly, if you searched for “catfish Netflix drama” you’d probably find it halfway down the list under “users also watched.”
I stumbled onto the title one night after bailing on a true crime documentary—sometimes you just want high school drama, not another serial killer. The show’s not quite a thriller, not quite a soap, but it definitely gives off a slightly spooky, very modern vibe.
Think awkward group chats, cryptic DMs, and enough references to social media that parents will probably sigh and teens will roll their eyes knowingly. I watched the pilot with my cousin, who kept elbowing me every time a new twist dropped (“Wait, did you catch that username change?”), which tells you: it’s one of those shows you’ll end up talking about mid-episode, pausing to re-play random scenes.
If you’re not on Netflix, you’re out of luck for now—no sly Hulu drops, no Amazon rental. Sometimes exclusivity is annoying, but in this case, the binge-able vibe makes sense. You’ll want to hang onto your account for at least the weekend (the episodes are short enough to marathon, long enough for plot to actually happen).
Anecdotes and Casual Opinions
There’s a funny scene in episode 3—Riley is frantically FaceTiming her best friend in the school bathroom while Tyler awkwardly waits outside. It’s so true to actual high school panic that I had flashbacks to my own “maybe I’m being catfished by the weird guy from Spanish class” fiasco. (Spoiler: I wasn’t, but the anxiety? Totally real.)
That ability to tap into genuine nervousness without going full-tilt melodrama is, in my view, one thing the cast does really well. No dramatic musical crescendos, just lots of slightly awkward body language and phone-glancing.
It’s also refreshing to see a show that doesn’t recycle the whole “teens are geniuses who hack into police databases” plotline. Everything feels a little off-kilter, a little imperfect, which is how high school actually feels most days.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
Let’s be honest: there are a million “true story” shows out there, but “Unknown Number” manages to feel like something you’d overhear in a hallway, not just another polished TV product. The cast helps—the show never goes full camp, but it’s willing to be a little silly, a little scary, a little sincere. It’s a rare blend. I found myself caring about the characters just enough that when the inevitable “big reveal” happened, I actually messaged a friend (okay, two) to rant about how wrong I’d been. That doesn’t happen often outside of sports, honestly.
Unknown Number might not reinvent the genre, but it taps into the messy reality of high school tech anxiety in a way that’s relatable, sometimes funny, sometimes cringe—but always oddly entertaining. Grab some snacks, switch off your notifications, and let yourself get pulled in.
