Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever returned for Season 2 with another disturbing lineup of real-life relationship horror stories, but one case has immediately stood out among viewers. The season opener, titled Dating the Deadpool Killer, revisits the crimes of Wade Wilson — the Florida serial killer who later became an internet obsession because of his appearance and his shared name with the Marvel antihero.

But while much of the online conversation surrounding Wilson has focused on the killer himself, the documentary places a very important and significant attention towards Kelly Matthews, one of the earliest women affected by him, long before the murders that later made national headlines.

And unlike the viral fascination surrounding Wilson, Kelly’s story reveals the devastating reality left behind after the cameras move on.

Yes, Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever is based entirely on real events. The Season 2 premiere reconstructs Wade Wilson’s history through interviews, police material, reenactments, and survivor testimony while tracing how his violent behavior escalated over time.

Kelly Matthews met Wilson through the dating site Plenty of Fish, where he allegedly used the name “Steven.” According to accounts featured around the case, Wilson quickly charmed Kelly, convincing her to let him stay with her shortly after they met. But the relationship reportedly spiraled once his behavior intensified.

The documentary also explores Kelly’s attempts to report Wilson after an alleged assault incident. She has continued maintaining that authorities failed to take her claims seriously at the time — something that frustrates viewers revisiting the case even today. Years later, Wilson would be arrested for the m*****s of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz, eventually becoming one of the most recognizable faces in modern true crime media. 

Is There a Wade Wilson Documentary on Netflix? When and Where Can You Watch It?

The Netflix series presents the case less as a sudden transformation into violence and more as a pattern of behavior that allegedly existed long before the murders occurred.

Today, Kelly Matthews appears focused on rebuilding her life while continuing to speak publicly about surviving abusive relationships. According to interviews referenced around the documentary’s release, she remains vocal about her experience and has expressed interest in writing a book centered on battered women and survivor support.

Kelly has also continued discussing the long-term emotional and physical impact that the relationship allegedly had left behind on her. Despite everything tied to the case, she now reportedly lives with a new partner and continues to advocate for greater awareness around abusive behavior and ignored warning signs of abusers.

That survivor perspective ultimately becomes one of the strongest parts of Worst Ex Ever. While true-crime documentaries often risk turning criminals into cultural spectacles, Season 2 repeatedly shifts attention back toward the people forced to live with the consequences long after the fascination of the public and the media fades away. And in Kelly Matthews’ case, that aftermath may be even more haunting than the headlines themselves.

7 True Crime Documentaries So Chilling You Won’t Look Away

Do you think Netflix's true-crime documentaries are becoming better at focusing on survivors instead of criminals? Let us know in the comments.