The Tinder Swindler [2022]

A story of how to get away with stealing money, The Tinder Swindler is tighter and more focused than many true crime documentaries on Netflix.

Going into this documentary, I was a bit skeptical of Netflix itself, and the women depicted in it. However, The Tinder Swindler lays bare a rolling, all-consuming grift involving fast cars, luxury brands and exotic locations that was real, tangible and, as a result, an all too-effective tool of seduction and deception.

As far as Netflix goes, this is one of the best documentaries they’ve ever produced. With its snappy pace and shocking details, the film plays as a heartfelt romance that spirals into a harrowing thriller. It’s a crisply done account of how a guy manipulated and exploited three women on Tinder. One thing I would mention when it comes to the production of the documentary: It sometimes lapses into the self-indulgence common to so many modern documentaries, with endless shadowy reconstructions and a heart-tugging soundtrack.

However, one the other side of things, this is a baffling true story. The film will upset you in ways that you never anticipate after seeing the title.

How did the hell did someone manage to convince a women to give him a quarter of a million USD less than two months after meeting? I get “love at first sight”, but really?

In addition, we have to admit that the guy’s plan was genius: convince someone to get loans and give you the money. Yes, he’s ethically an asshole, but everything he did that is depicted in this documentary was technically legal.

Should you watch it?

It is not dissimilar to Don’t Fuck with Cats in that it is delightfully high-concept, bringing with it a similar frenetic energy and playful teasing out of twists. You won’t quit dating apps after you watch this.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream The Tinder Swindler exclusively on Netflix.