Released on August 28, 2024, Worst Ex Ever explores the terrible reality of poisonous relationships, with its first episode, Dating the Devil, looking into Justine Siemens's horrific experience. Justine was kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend Benjamin Foster in January 2023 and endured terrible torture over three days.
She miraculously survived the terrifying event, although it left her with terrible physical and psychological injuries. The documentary shows her horrific experience as well as the manhunt that followed and Foster's death.
The narrative of Worst Ex Ever centers on actual tales of violence, dishonesty and betrayal. Beginning with the tale of Justine Siemens and Benjamin Foster, the series — a spinoff of the popular true crime show Worst Roommate Ever — showcases four cases where love turns sinister.
Every episode shows the range of betrayal one can experience, stressing the risks concealed in apparently ordinary relationships.
Justine Siemens' traumatic ordeal in Worst Ex Ever
Late January 2023 witnessed the start of Justine Siemens' ordeal when Foster, whom she had met a few months earlier, attacked her at her house. Justine chose to cut off relations with him on learning his violent past in Las Vegas. Furious about Justine's actions, leading to his job termination, Foster planned retribution.
He left her in a critical state after waiting for her at her house and severely assaulting her. Justine had missing teeth, bruises and a noose around her neck. She was rushed to hospital, where she lay in a coma battling for her life.
The situation escalated into a nationwide manhunt after Foster had fled the scene. The police issued warnings and searched tirelessly for him. While on the run, Foster killed an elderly man and his caretaker in a nearby town, adding more horror to his already heinous crimes.
The search for Foster ended when he was found hiding under the floorboards of Justine's home, where he took his own life rather than face justice.
The impact on Foster’s previous victims: Amber and Jaimee
Foster's abuse history was not a recent incident. Similar violence and control permeated his past relationships with women like Amber and Jaimee. When Amber met Foster in 2012, she first felt he would be the ideal mate.
However, his behavior soon became violent, resulting in several episodes, including an attack that almost cost her a finger. Amber's narrative emphasizes the institutional shortcomings that let Foster keep his violent behavior unchecked, resulting in the terrible events involving Justine.
Jaimee's relationship with Foster was similarly traumatic. Foster held her captive for weeks, shaving her head and threatening her life repeatedly. Jaimee managed to escape, but the trauma left her too terrified to testify against him in court.
That allowed Foster to secure a plea deal and avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Jaimee's ordeal, combined with Amber's, underscores the ongoing threat Foster posed, a threat that culminated in his final, deadly rampage against Justine.
The cast and crew of Worst Ex Ever have done an exceptional job in portraying these harrowing stories.
The documentary uses a mix of real testimonials, bodycam footage and re-enactments to bring these chilling tales to life. The first episode, focusing on Justine Siemens, is particularly powerful in its raw depiction of survival against unimaginable odds.
With Justine Siemens' account as a chilling illustration, Worst Ex Ever presents a bleak picture of love turned deadly. Her survival is evidence of her fortitude but also raises issues about the shortcomings that let Foster's behavior get to such extremes.
For those fascinated by true crime, the series is a must-watch, as it presents a sobering view of the sinister side of relationships. Worst Ex Ever is a cautionary story as well as an homage to people who have gone through terrible suffering with its gripping narrative and first-hand accounts.