Watch James Ellroy's City of Demons

James Ellroy's City of Demons is a docuseries available on Discovery+ which takes its viewers on a ten-episode journey to the dark underbelly of Los Angeles. James Ellroy, a celebrated author and novelist, serves as the narrator and main character of the show, guiding the audience through his personal experiences of living in the City of Angels during the 1950s and 1960s, and the detective work he did to uncover some of the city's unsolved mysteries.

The show centers around the unsolved murder of Jean Ellroy, James's own mother, who was strangled to death in 1958. James Ellroy was just 10 years old at the time, and the tragedy had a profound effect on his life and his writing. The first episode of the show sets up the mystery of Jean's death, and despite the investigation into her murder being closed without anyone being charged, James Ellroy, with the help of his friend Bill Stoner, has continued to investigate the case for over 60 years.

As the show progresses, James Ellroy takes the audience on a journey through the seedy and corrupt world of Los Angeles during the 1950s, delving into the homicide investigations he has been a part of and the key players of the time. With the help of Bill Stoner, who himself has over 30 years of experience working as a homicide detective in Los Angeles, Ellroy is able to interview detectives, witnesses, and suspects from the cases he is investigating. Jean Hilliker, James's mother, is never far from their minds, and each case they investigate leads them closer to the truth surrounding her murder.

Over the course of the series, James Ellroy and Bill Stoner work to uncover the truth behind the murder of Jean Ellroy, while also investigating other unsolved homicides from Los Angeles's past. Along the way, they meet with LAPD detectives who worked on these cases and get a firsthand look at the challenges they faced. The show also showcases the social and political climate of Los Angeles during this time period and how it affected the homicide investigations that took place.

One of the strengths of the show is its rawness and the fact that it does not shy away from the darker aspects of Los Angeles during the 50s and 60s. The creators of the show are able to use archival footage and historical imagery to show the audience the reality of the time. This gives a sense of authenticity to the show and puts the audience in the investigative shoes of Ellroy and Stoner. The cinematography and sound design of the show are superb, and the pacing of the episodes is just right, keeping the audience engaged and in suspense without dragging the story out.

Another aspect of the show that sets it apart from other true crime docuseries is the way that it is narrated by James Ellroy himself. His distinctive voice and writing style give the series a noir feel, and his personal involvement in the cases he is investigating makes it all the more compelling. Fans of Ellroy's writing will delight in the way that he brings his unique perspective to the cases he is investigating.

Overall, James Ellroy's City of Demons is a must-watch for fans of true crime and anyone interested in the darker side of Los Angeles's past. The show takes its audience on a journey through the twisted world of Los Angeles during the 1950s and 1960s, and uncovers some of the city's darkest secrets in the process. With its compelling storytelling and unique take on true crime, it is a standout addition to the ever-growing genre of true crime streaming content.

James Ellroy's City of Demons is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between January 20, 2011 and on discovery+