I watched The Tinder Swindler last night on Netflix, and what a rollercoaster ride it was! In this film review, I will tell you why this is one movie you cannot miss.
This documentary tells the real-life story of a fraud who swindles three women over the course of the film. In his life, he has defrauded countless others. However, his latest con lies in pretending to be the son of a diamond mogul.
The film starts off innocuously enough, with a pretty blonde Norwegian girl, Cecilie, blabbing on about her idea of a fairy tale romance. She seems to be a serial Tinder user, and on one such occasion she came across Simon Leviev. So begins the deep dive into her whirlwind romance, being defrauded, and seeing how Simon manages to do the same to countless others. Two other are particularly highlighted, Pernilla and Ayanne.
The film is deftly directed by Felicity Morris, and at times plays out like a thriller, a horror and a romance. What I compliment the film on is allowing these women to come forward and tell their story rather than victim blaming them as much of the online community did when they spoke out in the press. What is astounding is the level of Simon’s Ponzi schemes, how he has been wanted for fraudulent behaviour in the past, but he manages to flee and come out on top in every case.
Simon does a good job of convincing the women he meets that he is an affluent heir to a diamond empire- wining and dining them like there’s no tomorrow. Clad in his designer duds, he flies them on private jets and treats them like queens. He convinces them of his devotion and when they fall for him, his trap starts. He claims to be in danger and starts asking them to loan him money as he cannot access his accounts. In this way he cheats them out of millions of dollars. Further down the line the viewer discovers Simon is not the heir he claims to be (big surprise lol) and is a convicted conman named Shimon Hayut.
The entire documentary unravels in a fascinating way and you can’t help but feel for these women who have been swindled for large sums of money. Not only his paramours, but Pernilla, who was only his friend, have fallen victim to his deception. I cheered when Ayanne discovered the truth and instead of going to the police with his locations she swindles him- by taking suitcases filled with his designer clothes and selling them off! It is also heartening that Cecilie and Pernilla became lifelong friends through the process, who still spend time together.
While this documentary serves as a reminder that living your life online can be quite dangerous, it also showcases the power of spreading information online. By publishing their story (which went viral) these women are trying to ensure the next time you google your tinder date, and he’s anything like Simon, the truth is out there. The sad reality however, is that justice is not truly served. Simon currently is a free man living his dreams out in Israel. Seemingly free from financial woes, he is now even dating a model while these women are still paying off their debts.
The scale of what Simon pulls off is horrifying but makes for an intriguing documentary. My Netflix reviews are often a mixed bunch but with this outing, Netflix has made a gripping film that will keep you captivated from the start. This movie reviewer says this is definitely worth watching.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration.’ For more of my movie reviews click here, or for tv reviews here
Oh Wow! I read your awesome review and looked up the film on Netflix. Going to watch it tonight! Thanks for sharing this detailed review I enjoyed reading so much!
Thanks so much! It’s a great film, hope you enjoy it 🙂
Such horrifying cases aren’t rare but not reported enough. I’m intrigued to check out this movie now only to see how the women bravely handle this terrible situation they find themselves in.
True. What boggles my mind is how he escaped true justice just due to legal loopholes. You must watch the film and see
Gosh! I am not a movie person but your review intrigued me to watch the movie.
I hope you enjoy it 🙂
It some how reminds me of a hindi movie Ladies vs Ricky Bahl. It is on a similar lines. getting away after committing horrendous crime due to legal loopholes is disheartening. would love to watch .
I saw that- but this is more bizarre because it’s all true!
Nice review, the movie is of what is the truth of nowadays happenings.
That’s true
dint hear about this before but your review made me curious. Thanks for this. would surly look up to it
Thanks!
This sounds like a must-watch. These cases are not uncommon but it is great to see that the victims came forward with their stories. Thanks for sharing a detailed review.
Thanks for reading ! Hope you do check the film out
Oh my! This is eye opening. I know online isn’t a safe place but these kind of things leave you horrified. Thank you for bringing this to our notice and let me check out this documentary.
Thanks! Hope you like the film!
I was not aware what this movie was till l I read your review… thank you for it. it’sis a kind of an eye opener for many who get into such troubles.. I have seen people who are otherwise intelligent n worldly falling for such online scams(if I can call it that).
Thanks so much 🙂 unfortunately people can still get taken in with well placed lies and this movie is a showcase of that
This has me intrigued. I enjoy watching true crime documentaries and will give this a go. Thanks for sharing a detailed review.
Thanks! Hope you like it!
What a happy chance to read this on a weekend while I was looking for stuff to watch on Netflix?! Definitely watching this one.
Thanks! Hope you like the film 🙂
I actually wanted to say the movie Tinder Swindler but was looking for the review before watching it. Thanks for the review, going to watch it this weekend.
Thanks so much- hope you like it!
Awesome review my dear. I already saved the name. It is a must-watch for all women to be warned of such swashbuckling swindlers. Women get swayed so easily by a rich gallant man.I am watching it today…thank u for sharing such an awesome review
Thanks so much- it is a must watch indeed 🙂
Wow what a brilliant tale. I am going to binge watch this today
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
You write an awesome review! Even without knowing anything much about the film I am now wanting to watch it and since it’s a Sunday this is on my evening watch list. Thanks!
Thanks so much – hope you like it as much as I did!
The plot definitely seems intriguing and I’m also hearing more reviews on this. Definitely gonna look fbis up during weekend. Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much
A weekend plan set…After your review about the movie…it’s a must watch now
Thanks so much 🙂
I loved reading this detailed review and outline of the movie on Netflix. I will sure watch it.
Thanks! Hope you like it
I am definitely going to watch it. It is good to see that victims had the courage to come forward.
Thanks! Hope you like it
I loved your review on this movies but it also reminded me on Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl movie. But I’ll definitely watch it tonight.
Thanks! Hope you like it!
Thanks for a great review that made for an interesting read – my intrigue has now doubled and I’m looking forward to watching the movie for every detail!
Thanks so much- hope you enjoy it!
While I was writing a post for my blog, my husband had watched this movie and suggested me too to watch, now that I got some time and after reading this review I am going watch the movie for sure, Thank you for the review and recommendation. 🙂
Thanks- hope you enjoy it 🙂
Perfect review! I watched this one and agree with you.
Thank you 🙂
I read few lines of the post…and then stopped reading !!!
You convinced me to watch it soon. Thanks
Thanks! Hope you like it
There’s a definite need for blogs like these amidst content overload on OTT platforms. Would also check other blogposts so that I don’t spend time thinking what to watch next.
Thanks so much
This is so my kind of watch. I am surprised though that I have not seen it on my feed till now. Definitely pinning this for next in queue after my current watch. Thanks for the suggestion and a great review!
Thanks so much!
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It’s on my list of things to watch! After finishing ‘Inventing Anna’, I have an idea for an article, and ‘Tinder Swindler’ definitely ties in!
You should it’s very interesting!