When terror lurks behind the walls of an ordinary home, the line between reality and nightmare blurs. Documentary enthusiasts have long been captivated by chilling stories that unfold in the quietest of settings, where danger strikes when it is least expected. The latest addition to this gripping genre is Don’t Come Upstairs, a feature that unravels a spine-tingling true-life thriller centered on a family in Canada.

The documentary has premiered on Canada’s TV network, sparking questions about its Netflix availability and potential international theatrical release.

Don’t Come Upstairs aired on Canada’s TV network CBC on October 1 and was appropriately embraced by viewers. As the title gained popularity, the global audience began to get curious about its streaming status. Unfortunately, the documentary is not available on the go-to streaming platform Netflix. It is currently only available on CBC’s digital service Gem. The maker and subject of the documentary has stated via Instagram, though, that there are plans to release it in theaters for international audiences.

However, no concrete details, such as a potential premiere date, were shared. The only information revealed was that the big-screen release could come via film festivals. Who is this person, and how did they turn their life story into a true crime documentary though?

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The plot of Don’t Come Upstairs is as intriguing as it gets, as it uncovers the nearly three-decade-long history of a family that seemed normal at first glance.

In Don’t Come Upstairs, Canadian actor and editor Mike Lobel attempts to uncover a secret his father kept for over 30 years: His children were never allowed to ask what he did for work. Using home videos, photographs, and personal interviews, Lobel revisits his childhood, pieces together fragmented memories, and confronts how decades of secrecy shaped his family and their sense of trust and connection.

Besides Mike Lobel, the documentary’s IMDb page lists Elliot Lobel and Melanie Lobel as key cast members; however, no context is added to their identities, leaving it up to viewers to watch the offering and find out. A clip supporting the 44-minute-long feature, meanwhile, features Lobel himself and two women, one younger and one older. The ladies are assumed to be his mother and sister, talking about their shared trauma of dealing with the man of the house’s eerie secretive life.

Don’t Come Upstairs offers a haunting glimpse into how silence and secrecy can shape a family’s life, making it a must-watch for those fascinated by human psychology. And while it is not currently available on Netflix, viewers seeking similarly gripping documentaries will find plenty to dive into on the platform. Lobel’s deeply personal storytelling, meanwhile, ensures the film lingers long after the credits roll, reminding audiences of the power—and consequences—of hidden truths.

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Will you be watching Don’t Come Upstairs soon? Let us know in the comments.