Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese | Trailer, Story, Release Date & Why This Case Still Haunts

Two friends. One secret. And a betrayal no one saw coming.

The official trailer for Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese doesn’t just revisit a crime — it pulls you into the emotional reality behind it.

Premiering March 6 on Hulu (and Hulu on Disney+), this three-part true-crime docuseries dives deep into one of the most disturbing cases of teenage betrayal in recent memory.

And it’s not easy to watch.

What Is Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese About?

The series tells the real story of Skylar Neese, a 16-year-old girl who vanished from her home in West Virginia.

At first, it seemed like a typical missing-person case.

But as the investigation unfolded, the focus shifted somewhere far more unsettling:

Her closest friends.

What follows is a chilling unraveling of:

• Hidden tensions beneath teenage friendships

• Secrets buried in text messages and social media

• A betrayal that escalated into something irreversible

The docuseries doesn’t just ask what happened.

It asks why it happened — and that’s where it becomes truly disturbing.

Trailer Breakdown: Quiet, Intimate, and Unnerving

The trailer avoids sensationalism.

There are no loud stings or exaggerated dramatics.

Instead, it leans into:

• Real social media posts

• Personal interviews

• Skylar’s own words

That approach makes it feel more personal — almost invasive.

You’re not watching a crime unfold.

You’re watching a life slowly disappear from within her own circle.

And the most unsettling part?

How normal everything looks at first.

A Story About Friendship, Identity & Pressure

What sets this series apart from standard true crime is its focus on adolescence.

This isn’t just about a crime.

It’s about:

• The fragility of teenage identity

• The pressure to belong

• The emotional extremes of young relationships

• How small conflicts can spiral into irreversible decisions

The series frames the case within the digital age — where every emotion, argument, and insecurity is amplified online.

And sometimes, there’s no escape from it.

Why This Case Still Hits Hard

Unlike many true-crime stories involving strangers, this one cuts deeper because it’s rooted in trust.

Skylar wasn’t taken by someone unknown.

She was betrayed by people she trusted most.

That reality makes the story more unsettling than most crime documentaries.

Because it removes the “safe distance” viewers often feel.

What Makes This Docuseries Different

1. Told Through Digital Footprints

The use of real posts, messages, and online traces makes the story feel immediate and raw.

2. Emotional, Not Sensational

The focus is on psychology and relationships — not shock value.

3. Perspective-Driven Storytelling

By using Skylar’s own voice, the series avoids turning her into just another case file.

4. Short, Focused Format

With only three episodes, the story is tight, impactful, and avoids unnecessary filler.

Themes the Series Explores

• Trust vs betrayal

• Teenage vulnerability

• The impact of social media on identity

• The danger of unresolved emotional conflict

• The illusion of “normal” relationships

This isn’t just about crime.

It’s about how quickly things can break beneath the surface.

Release Date & Streaming Details

Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese premieres March 6 on Hulu.

It will also be available via Hulu on Disney+ in supported regions.

The series consists of three episodes, making it a quick but emotionally heavy watch.

This isn’t the kind of true crime you casually put on in the background.

It stays with you.

Because it forces you to confront something uncomfortable:

Sometimes, the most dangerous people aren’t strangers.

They’re the ones closest to you.

And sometimes, the warning signs are there — just hidden behind smiles, posts, and “normal” conversations.