Step inside the terror that paralyzed 1970s New York. This gripping installment of Netflix’s acclaimed Conversations with a Killer franchise unearths never-before-heard recordings of David Berkowitz – the infamous “Son of Sam” – alongside searing present-day interviews with survivors, investigators, and key figures who lived through the nightmare. The tapes offer a bone-chilling, unfiltered window into Berkowitz’s mind during his reign of terror, revealing new dimensions to one of America’s most notorious serial killers.

Through a harrowing blend of archival footage, haunting audio, and contemporary reflections, the series dissects how Berkowitz’s .44 caliber rampage ignited city-wide panic, reshaped law enforcement tactics, and left an indelible scar on a generation. Witness the relentless pursuit to stop him, the enduring trauma of the victims, and the unsettling questions that linger decades later. Prepare for a visceral journey into darkness – stream the premiere June 30, only on Netflix.

The Voices of Truth and Terror:

1. Robert Klein as Self

Legendary comedian and actor Robert Klein was a defining voice of 1970s New York. His sharp, observational humor often reflected the city’s gritty reality, making him a cultural barometer during the Son of Sam era. Klein witnessed the fear firsthand, performing in the very neighborhoods gripped by the killer’s shadow.

As a present-day interviewee, Klein provides crucial cultural context. His reflections capture the palpable dread that permeated daily life – the altered routines, the media frenzy, and how the killings became a horrifying backdrop to the city’s struggle, offering a unique perspective on the era’s collective psyche.

2. Mary Murphy as Self

Mary Murphy is an award-winning veteran journalist who covered the Son of Sam case extensively for the New York Daily News during the terrifying summer of 1977. Her relentless reporting brought critical details to the public and placed her on the frontlines of the biggest story in America.

Murphy’s firsthand account is invaluable. She details the immense pressure of covering the killings, the challenges of navigating police briefings and terrified communities, and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists reporting on an active, elusive predator targeting young people.

3. Joseph Borrelli as Self

Retired NYPD Captain Joseph Borrelli was the commanding officer of the NYPD’s elite Major Case Squad during the Son of Sam investigation. He played a pivotal role in overseeing the massive, unprecedented manhunt that ultimately captured Berkowitz.

Borrelli provides the critical police perspective. He recounts the immense pressure, the false leads, the formation of the legendary “Omega Task Force,” and the breakthrough moments in the investigation, offering an insider’s view of the largest homicide probe in NYPD history at the time.

4. Robert Violante as Self

Robert Violante is a survivor of the Son of Sam attacks. On July 31, 1977, he was shot alongside Stacy Moskowitz in Brooklyn. Moskowitz died; Violante was blinded. His survival and lifelong journey represent the profound, lasting impact of Berkowitz’s violence.

Violante’s testimony is profoundly moving and central to the series. He speaks to the horror of the attack, the physical and emotional aftermath, his decades-long path of recovery and resilience, and his perspective on Berkowitz and the justice system.

5. Lawrence Klausner as Self

Lawrence Klausner was the Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn who prosecuted David Berkowitz. He navigated the complex legal proceedings that led to Berkowitz’s guilty plea and multiple life sentences.

Klausner offers the prosecutorial viewpoint. He details the challenges of building the case against Berkowitz, the strategy behind accepting the guilty plea to avoid a traumatic trial, and the legal mechanisms used to ensure Berkowitz remained imprisoned.

6. Manny Grossman as Self

Manny Grossman was a key NYPD detective deeply involved in the Son of Sam investigation, working under Captain Borrelli. He was immersed in the day-to-day grind of chasing leads, interviewing witnesses, and piecing together the puzzle of the killer’s identity.

Grossman provides ground-level investigative detail. His recollections focus on the painstaking police work, the frustrations and near-misses, the atmosphere within the task force, and the critical pieces of evidence that slowly pointed towards Berkowitz.

7. Jack Jones as Self

Jack Jones is a renowned true crime author whose seminal book, “Let Me Take You Down: Inside the Mind of Mark David Chapman” (about John Lennon’s killer), demonstrates his deep research into the psychology of assassins. He has extensively studied the Son of Sam case and David Berkowitz.

Jones serves as a criminological expert. He analyzes Berkowitz’s psychology, the evolution of his crimes, the cultural factors at play in 1970s New York, and the enduring legacy and mythology surrounding the Son of Sam, providing analytical depth to the narrative.

8. Rowan Studti as Detective Sergeant William Gardella

Rowan Studti is an actor known for roles in gritty dramas and crime series (e.g., Blue Bloods, Law & Order: SVU). He possesses the intensity and gravitas needed to portray complex law enforcement figures.

Playing Detective Sergeant William Gardella, Studti embodies a dedicated NYPD investigator deeply involved in the case. His performance dramatizes the relentless pressure, emotional toll, and procedural challenges faced by the detectives working endless hours to stop the killings.

9. Francois Immelman as David Berkowitz

Francois Immelman is a character actor adept at portraying unsettling and complex figures. His ability to convey menace, detachment, and underlying disturbance makes him a compelling choice to embody Berkowitz in dramatic recreations, particularly through voice (for the tapes) and presence.

Immelman’s portrayal of David Berkowitz focuses on the killer’s chilling persona as heard in the tapes and seen in archival recreations. He captures the unnerving banality, self-aggrandizement, and disturbing lack of remorse evident in Berkowitz’s communications and behavior during the killing spree and its aftermath.

10. Carl Denaro as Self

Carl Denaro is another survivor of the Son of Sam attacks. He was shot in the head in Queens on October 23, 1976, while sitting in a car with Rosemary Keenan. He miraculously survived but suffered severe, life-altering injuries.

Denaro’s powerful testimony adds another crucial layer of survivor perspective. He recounts the terror of the attack, his arduous recovery, the lifelong physical consequences, and his thoughts on Berkowitz and the media circus surrounding the case, highlighting the random brutality of the crimes.

11. Kahlil Visser as Young Robert Violante

Kahlil Visser is an actor skilled in portraying vulnerability and resilience, often in dramatic and challenging roles. His casting suggests a focus on the immediate aftermath and trauma experienced by Violante.

Playing the young Robert Violante, Visser dramatizes the horrific moments of the attack and the initial, devastating period of recovery and adjustment following Violante’s life-changing injuries, bringing visceral emotional depth to this pivotal survivor’s story.