Crime is something every South African has become accustomed to living with but serial killings still stand out in the headlines because generally speaking, serial killers are frightening.

One of the more disturbing cases of serial killing in South Africa is the story of the Electus per Deus cult. Between 2012 and 2016, this cult killed 11 people in the most grizzly ways and now there is a documentary telling the harrowing story coming to Showmax.

Devilsdorp is the story of the cult directed by David Enright and it’s also Showmax’s first true crime docu-series.

“This is the story of the events that rocked an entire community and forever changed the lives of those involved, especially the families of the victims. What started as a group of devout Christians trying to help a former satanist escape the satanic church ended in a murderous spree involving a killer mom, her two children, and a cult with more victims than members. It may all sound too far-fetched to be believed, except it really happened – just down the road from us,” explains Enright.

The docu-series will play out in four parts, all four of which will be available on Showmax on 29th July.

Devilsdorp will feature first hand accounts from police, attorneys, journalists and family members of the victims. The church members who knew those convicted of the crimes will also feature.

That is a slice of good news, in 2019 the remaining members of the cult were found guilty on 32 charges including murder, robbery, racketeering and fraud.

“We know our audience is fascinated by local true crime,” explains head of content at Showmax, Candice Fangueiro. “There’s something deeply unsettling about watching a true crime series where the victims – and perpetrators – look and sound like your neighbours, and where you can recognise the location.”

You can see a trailer for Devilsdorp below. Note that the docu-series carries an age restriction of 16.