The acclaimed Netflix production, The Serpent, is based on the chilling true story of Charles Sobhraj, a French serial killer infamously known as "the Serpent." While the question refers to it as a "movie," it is an eight-part limited series that delves into his heinous crimes.
The series meticulously dramatizes the events surrounding Sobhraj's murders of young backpackers along the infamous "hippie trail" in Southeast Asia during the mid-1970s.
The True Story Behind "The Serpent"
The compelling narrative of The Serpent is rooted in real-life events, focusing on the period when Charles Sobhraj committed a series of calculated and brutal murders.
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Who was Charles Sobhraj?
Charles Sobhraj was a French national of Indian and Vietnamese descent who became a master manipulator and con artist. He earned his moniker, "the Serpent," due to his cunning ability to evade law enforcement across multiple countries and his deceptive charm, which he used to ensnare his victims. -
The "Hippie Trail" Murders
From approximately 1975 to 1976, Sobhraj targeted and murdered young Western tourists who were traveling on the popular "hippie trail" through countries like Thailand, India, and Nepal. He would often befriend them, drug them, and then rob and murder them, sometimes with the help of his accomplices. The series portrays the intense efforts of a Dutch diplomat, Herman Knippenberg, to bring Sobhraj to justice.
Key Aspects of the Story's Basis
To provide a clear overview of what The Serpent is based on, here are the core facts:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Central Figure | Charles Sobhraj, a French serial killer known as "the Serpent." |
| Nature of Crimes | Murders of young backpackers, often involving drugging and robbery. |
| Time Period | Primarily occurred between 1975 and 1976. |
| Location | The "hippie trail" across Southeast Asia (e.g., Thailand, India, Nepal). |
| Production Format | An eight-part series, a co-production between BBC One and Netflix. |
| Themes | Deception, manipulation, the pursuit of justice, and the dark underbelly of a seemingly idyllic travel route. |
The series meticulously portrays the complex cat-and-mouse game between Sobhraj and the authorities, offering a gripping account of one of the most elusive serial killers in modern history.
