Unknown Number Netflix: true story, release date, what to know

TL;DR:

• Unknown Number: The High School Catfish hit Netflix on August 29, 2025.
  
• It covers a Beal City, Michigan case of anonymous, abusive texts.
  
• The sender was revealed as the teen victim’s mother, Kendra Licari.
  
• Licari pled guilty in 2023 and served prison time, later paroled in 2024.
  
• The film runs about 94 minutes and is directed by Skye Borgman.
  

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is a feature documentary from director Skye Borgman. It began streaming on Netflix on August 29, 2025. Netflix’s listing describes a “twisty” true crime story centering on vulgar, taunting texts that flood two teens’ phones.

The film is part of Netflix’s current slate of high profile true crime titles and is available to download for offline viewing in the Netflix app.

The real case, in brief

The events took place in Beal City, Michigan. In October 2020, 13 year old Lauryn Licari and her then boyfriend, Owen, began receiving anonymous text messages from an unknown number. After a lull, the abuse surged again in September 2021, turning into a near daily barrage. Investigators from the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office, with FBI support, eventually traced the activity back to Lauryn’s mother, Kendra Licari.

Licari pled guilty to two counts of stalking a minor and, on April 26, 2023, was sentenced to 19 months to five years in prison. She was later released on parole in 2024. Local and regional outlets documented the conviction and sentence at the time.

What the documentary adds

Borgman, known for Girl in the Picture and Abducted in Plain Sight, centers the story around interviews with the teens, their families, and school leaders who navigated rumor, fear, and a swirl of false leads. Netflix’s official coverage details the timeline and the choices that shaped the film, and includes post release updates on the family.

The documentary also captures how the community tried to solve the case in real time. Axios Detroit noted the film’s focus on the small town response, including a misguided parent led investigation and the surprise felt by local officials as the truth emerged.

Runtime is approximately 1 hour 34 minutes. Reviews have highlighted the film’s tight structure and uneasy tone.

Reactions since release

Early coverage points to strong viewer interest and debate about motive and accountability. Critics have praised the access to key participants while questioning the limits of small town context the film can convey in a single feature. A round up on Rotten Tomatoes shows a mix of reactions, from cautious approval to discomfort at the subject matter.

People Magazine’s reporting expands on what the film leaves out, including how suspicion ricocheted among students and families before the reveal, and the long emotional tail for those misidentified.

Key facts at a glance

Sources for table data include Netflix’s listing, Tudum explainers, and local news reports on the sentence. 

What happens next for the people involved

Post release updates from Netflix’s Tudum and follow up reporting indicate the family continues to process the fallout. Coverage has noted parole and ongoing limits on contact, plus the teens’ efforts to move forward with school and sports. The director has said the impact is long term, for both teens and their community.

How to watch

The film streams on Netflix worldwide where available and supports mobile downloads for offline viewing. If you do not see it in your country, check your region’s Netflix catalog or try searching the exact title, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish.

Safety checklist for families facing unknown number harassment

Use these steps if you or your teen gets threatening messages.

1. Save everything
   Do not delete texts or DMs. Screenshot with timestamps.
   
2. Lock down accounts
   Change passwords, enable two factor authentication, and review app permissions.
   
3. Stop engaging
   Do not reply, block the number or handle via carrier tools.
   
4. Document a timeline
   Note first contact, frequency, and any real world overlap like school events.
   
5. Escalate smartly
   Report to school if minors are involved, then to local police. Ask officers to advise on preserving device logs.
   
6. Ask providers for help
   Your carrier can filter messages and help preserve records for lawful requests.
   
7. Seek support
   Tell trusted adults, consider school counselors, and discuss mental health resources if anxiety or self harm language appears.
   

Common mistakes to avoid: trying to play detective alone, publicly naming suspects, deleting messages that may be evidence, sharing screenshots that expose minors’ numbers.

Why it matters

This story shows how digital abuse can hide in plain sight. The film’s account underscores two lessons, document the behavior early, and involve experienced investigators before rumors harden into accusations. Local coverage and Netflix’s own reporting echo that the social harm did not end with the reveal, it lingered for classmates, parents, and staff who were swept into the hunt for a culprit.

Sources:

• Netflix, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, https://www.netflix.com/title/81690512, accessed 2025-09-16
  
• Netflix Tudum, “New Documentary Unknown Number Exposes a Ruthless Catfish Who Tormented a Teen,” https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/unknown-number-documentary-release-date-news, 2025-09-03
  
• Netflix Tudum, “What Happened to Lauryn and Kendra Licari?,” https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/unknown-number-the-high-school-catfish-where-are-lauryn-kendra-licari-now, 2025-09-03
  
• UpNorthLive, “Woman sentenced for stalking daughter online,” https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/woman-sentenced-to-19-months-for-stalking-minors-online, 2023-04-26
  

Axios Detroit, “Unknown Number grips viewers with small town cyberbullying mystery,” https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/15/unknown-number-netflix-cyberbullying-doc-documentary, 2025-09-15