Haunting; Unbelievable

Author: Thomas_from_CA from California, United States
20 December 2015

It's hard to put into words how moving this documentary series was. The view of this work from 30,000 feet is perhaps that it is a beautiful but tragic depiction of the powerful versus the powerless in the context of the American criminal justice system, and a haunting reminder of what human beings are capable of when we believe the ends justify the means. The view on the ground - from a very intimate front row seat in Steven Avery's hometown of Manitowoc, WI - is that one man likely endured not one, but two of the most egregious injustices imaginable.

One thing that sets this series apart from previous shows in this genre (like NPR's Serial) is that the producers never once make an appearance on camera, nor does the viewer ever hear their voices, at least not in a literal sense. Instead, they rely on interviews, court proceedings, news clips, and telephone and video recordings to tell the story, often against the backdrop of the Avery's family compound. In a simple and clean way, the series is beautifully shot. And the story itself... unbelievable. But even the most reasonable, even skeptical viewer will have to grapple with the theories put forward. Theories that would seem a reach at best if it weren't for the overwhelming hard evidence unfolding, on film, right before your eyes.

I started out by saying that it was hard to describe how moving this documentary was, and I actually found myself transitioning through the same emotional states (albeit to a much lesser degree) that the key figures seemed to experience: from shock and disbelief to anger and ultimately to a sense of despair.

To me, what separates television and film that constitutes true "art" from that which is merely entertaining, is that it reveals something perhaps not so obvious but nonetheless true about human nature or the human experience. This easily surpasses that standard, but what makes it particularly chilling is that this is not a carefully constructed fictional plot designed to pull our heart strings. This actually happened. And it happened to real a person. To a real family.

The best true crime legal documentary ever made

Author: vasiln from United States
20 December 2015

Making a Murderer documents the true story of Steven Avery, sent to prison under questionable circumstances, exonerated on DNA evidence 18 years later, and accused of murder shortly thereafter under equally questionable circumstances.

MaM, ten hours long, is gripping throughout. The story is revealed chronologically, paced so perfectly to leave the viewer gasping at regular intervals, yet never feeling manipulated. But make no mistake: the filmmakers do have an opinion. And by the end of MaM, it is an opinion you will share.

The comparisons to gems like Paradise Lost and The Jinx are inevitable. Up until now, Paradise Lost represented the pinnacle of the genre; MaM tells its story similarly, yet surpasses PL. Where The Jinx, an otherwise excellent documentary, left me with a bad taste, feeling that the truth played second fiddle to its filmmakers' ambitions, MaM never focuses on its creators. The drama is narrated only by the players, the argument made convincingly by historical footage, media and police manipulation made plain not by rhetoric, but by the simple evidence provided by context.

Avery's story, as presented in MaM, is a horrifying story that leaves one infuriated at law enforcement, politicians, and news media. Not generally one for righteous indignation, this was the first series I've ever watched from which I had to take regular breaks out of sheer rage. Avery's story is not a pleasant or uplifting one. But it is as well-told as any I've seen.

This is one important documentary

Author: Jonas Kieränen from Sweden
20 December 2015

This is one important documentary. This shows just how wrong the justice system is in America. I'm from Sweden and did not know anything prior to this series. But if you have, like me, been reading and seeing other documentaries of this kind, you know this have happened several times. It makes me sick. When it comes to Brendan and his statement I immediately started to think about Jessie Misskelley -- a boy with below average IQ and was one of three teenagers that got falsely accused of murdering three young boys in Memphis. He also made a "confession" after the cops had lured and guided him towards what they wanted to hear. Anyway, I hope that one day, the truth will come out and the ones, that still walk free, get the judgement they deserve and that Brendan and Steven Avery will get their freedom back. This is something everyone should see. If I were a parent I would show it to my kids. If I was a teacher I would show it to my students. I will recommend it to everyone I know.

Gripping and at times almost unbelievable

Author: deltaop from Rawalpindi, Pakistan
19 December 2015

This documentary series potentially depicts the greatest miscarriage of justice on American soil as the producers go out to prove that Steven Avery, a Wisconsin resident, is purposely being made a scapegoat for crimes he did not commit.

The series possesses the hallmark quality of Netflix's original programming:'bingeability'. Once you get a grasp of what it is all about, you just continue on with the flow until the documentary reaches its conclusion.

An important point if you are coming fresh from the similar true crime series, The Jinx, then you might feel that this documentary series doesn't put as much emphasis on flair and reenactments. Instead the approach is based on journalistic substance with a lot of focus being placed on police reports, recordings, court documents etc. However, I found the series intro theme to be hauntingly beautiful. It really gets stuck inside your head.

Like The Thin Blue Line, Murder on a Sunday Morning, and Paradise Lost documentaries before it, the approach is overwhelmingly in favor of the defendant. You feel like you are witnessing a great injustice unfold before your eyes. There is little room for you to argue that Avery is guilty. But with the amount of evidence both substantial and circumstantial presented in Avery's favor, there is certainly little to argue anyway.

In conclusion, I would recommend this documentary to anyone into true crime. It really is well-prepared and worth a watch despite being a tad exhausting due to its length.

Outstanding

Author: skully-30817
19 December 2015
*** This review may contain spoilers ***

A great gripping documentary proving the innocence of a man the mainstream media led us to believe was guilty. This poor man and his family have been put through hell. Open your eyes to see the corrupt justice system. I hope they find the actual killer because he is still out there. No justice was found for Teresa and that's a shame. These film makers should be proud of the fantastic work they put together. They clearly did a lot of research and spent a lot of time on this. I've watched many documentaries but none compare to this. Thank you for opening up our eyes to the truth. I would recommend this to anyone! Stay strong Avery family

Sickening

Author: cpeck-16307 from United States
22 December 2015

This is disgusting. The state police are culpable in this conspiracy as well for allowing the crooked sheriff's department to be on the scene. It is so scary that this is going on in our country. I wouldn't dare step foot in Wisconsin. The police, DA, and crooked defense attorney in that county should all be in Federal prison!! Even more troubling, that no upper court recognized the corruption and evidence presented to give these guys another trial. It seems to me this was retaliation, enacted to preserve the jobs and reputations of the police. It is scary to think how many times this may have happened. Bless the hearts of the innocent.

One of the Best documentary series you'll ever see!

Author: Michael 'Hallows Eve' Smillie from New Zealand
21 December 2015

I've watched many Documentary TV series, I've seen 'The Jinx' and 'Paradise Lost' series, and this has to be as good, if not better. I've not been so wild, surprised, annoyed and upset over a TV show like this in years. What Steven Avery and his family goes through is amazing.

I knew that some police departments in the U.S have 'questionable' tactics, and after seeing the 'Paradise Lost' series you see that, but you really do hope it's not a common thing. But then you see shows like this one, and it really makes you wonder how systemic is it in some of the State Police departments? And if this is just one other example of it, how many other times have other Police Departments gotten away with doing this? How many innocent people are in jail right now?

Then add to that the privatization of the prison systems, meaning they have to keep the incarceration rate to near capacity to make their profits, then it makes you wonder how many people have been incarcerated using false evidence or coerced confessions.

The judicial system leaves a lot to be desired, I'll say that much.

I highly recommend this documentary series. It will leave you flabbergasted, it did that for me. I'll give this a 9.5 out of 10.

Injustice That Ripped My Heart Out

Author: shaunattwood from London
22 December 2015
*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Yesterday, I finished watching Making a Murderer, a true-crime documentary series that put me through so much emotional turmoil that my blood pressure is still high. I saw an innocent man get framed by the police, who went so far as to plant DNA evidence and to coerce a mentally-challenged teenager into giving false testimony about horrific crimes that he had not committed. If you're interested in how the US justice system really works, this documentary will blow your mind and rip your heart out. The court is like theater. Whoever puts on the best show wins at the end of the day, and that's the side with the most money.

The kind of movie that makes you want to become a defense lawyer

Author: typhoon74 from United States
28 December 2015

First of all, huge credit to the film makers for following this story for more than 12 years. Amazing work and the end result is second to none. Or hopefully we have not seen the end yet.

If you have watched the TV show Rectify and think that is messed up, you will be furious after watching this.

For some, a 10 episode and 10 hour documentary may seem too much, but once you start its almost impossible to stop. I had to take a break after the 6th episode though, not because I was tired but I was getting frustrated and angry. I am sure you will feel the same way sooner or later.

Am I 100% sure that Avery did not kill the woman? No, I am not. But you can pretty much tell he is innocent by the way he is behaving both right after she went missing and during the trial. Unless he was a cold blooded monster with no emotions what so ever. You can't act like that without being a sociopath, psychopath and pathological liar. And Avery does not seem to be any of that. And if he was, he would probably be way smarter than to kill a woman and burn her in his own back yard shortly after being released from prison serving 18 years for something he never did.

Obviously, the scary part in this documentary is how the law works. Or does not work. It is absolutely terrifying to see how the prosecutors and the judges and the rest of the apparatus is doing everything they can to win the case. They will lie, they will smear, they will do anything in their power to "prove" they are right. Besides the fact they are all trying to save their own skin, it is pure evil. I simply refuse to think that all the detectives and lawyers and judges involved really think Avery is guilty. Therefore, I was very happy to see that one of them got what he deserved in the end. And my suspicion about him being a total (beep) was correct.

It takes 30 seconds to read the Miranda rights, it may take a lifetime to prove you are innocent. If that's not scary, I don't know what is.

Genre is mislabelled - this is horror!

Author: calexicoca from Canada
13 February 2016

I wonder how any professional from legal background can watch this series without doing something, anything to either put individual effort to contribute exonerating mentioned poor individuals or to simply burn their legal diplomas and change profession! For me the scariest part is how tight and loyal whole judicial system is to protect their own goons who abused their powers over and over again. Whoever proudly advocate about "American democracy" and its leadership role in protecting human rights and freedom should watch this and maybe they would change their mind.

Kudos to Netflix to come up with this gem and steer the pot and make us all think and do something.

Astounding documentary

Author: Artur Stromboli from United Kingdom
31 December 2015
*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I looked for this on Netflix after someone on Twitter recommended it and I ended up watching the whole ten episodes over the course of two days.

The sense of disbelief gives way to anger and left me devastated.

With so many different bodies seemingly involved in US law you would think that this kind of incompetence and injustice would be impossible, but alas, no.

The Avery family are very simple people, and although the way they live their life is alien to most, they seem to have been manipulated time and time again.

The people from the various agencies (Police, District Attorneys, Forensic experts and such) seem to be beyond reproach, and questioning of their integrity is taken with such outrage they seem to be able to sidestep providing answers for why they have acted so incompetently.

Michael O'Kelly in particular coerced and led a very simple 16 year old, who realistically had no idea of the consequences of his actions, to a disgraceful place. During his questioning he kept on breaking down at the sight of a ribbon which he had included in an arrangement of artifacts intended to encourage his own client to admit guilt to something he had already said he didn't do.

The religious fervour of many involved doesn't seem to mean that they act with compassion or humanity to others in what is a damning picture of American justice.

There are so many issues with this case that much of the "evidence" would not be admissible if this case were in the UK (although I am not suggesting that miscarriages of justice don't occur here)!

Of course you feel sorry for the victim's family, because regardless of who is convicted, or not convicted, they have lost a family member, but the Avery family can feel massively let down by all involved and the ridiculous sensationalist media that is judging people prior to their trial and prejudicing verdicts.

Best Documentary EVER!!!

Author: junkpuncher103 from United States
23 December 2015

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

A must see! With each episode, I was flooded with every possible emotion. The gross injustice is appalling. The way they preyed upon Brendan Dassey because they knew his low IQ would play out in their favor was heartbreaking and disgusting. I hope this will bring things to light and that justice will be served. Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey should be set free and the real killer(s) and all the corrupt people involved need to be put away. The entire Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office, city, judicial system, etc. need to be investigated for allowing this to go on like it did. I have been telling everyone to watch this documentary because it will leave you reeling and speechless.

It can happen to you...

Author: wyliek
14 February 2016

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

A gripping and compelling documentary on the criminal justice system in a rural community that led to convictions under nefarious circumstances.

Steven Avery's life is a cautionary tale of how limited intelligence, financial means, and social standing can merge with revenge, vindictiveness and spite to create a situation of ruin and depravity.

The story is told in linear fashion from from his earliest exposures to the law as a troubled youth including stints in jail for burglary and burning a cat alive. Most would agree that these were disturbing crimes and can certainly predispose to future anti-social behavior. However, as egregious as these offenses were, they were basic in nature and the product of an immature mind along with a tumultuous environment.

What Steven lacks in sophistication and coping skills, he makes up for in honesty as he admits his guilt in these earlier crimes. Still, he eventually tempts his fate a time too many by trying to resolve a family dispute in a way that had far reaching implications within the police department and the community.

This sets the stage for several wrongful convictions and exposes corruption so widespread, a reasonable person would question the integrity of all parties involved from the judge to the jury.

Did that one jury member, the guy who could possibly sway the vote in favor not guilty, REALLY get called out for an emergency?

Overall, a very interesting story to get immersed in and worthy of a one-day binge watch. Conspiracy theorists on a local, state, and national level will have their hands full with this one.

One of the best documentaries

Author: Brigid O Sullivan (wisewebwoman) from Toronto, Canada
29 December 2015

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

All of the components of excellent documentary film making come into play. The real life characters, the lawyers, the victims, the police, the investigators take the screen and the viewer by the throat and it is compulsive watching. The directors and producers never intrude, their voices are never heard.

The Avery family compound with its mobile homes, garages and acres of cars, vans and trucks in various stages of disrepair and disintegration is a character in itself. And, surprisingly, towards the end, the viewer is taken on a ride on a utility vehicle and shown an absolutely beautiful vegetable garden by a stream, all part of a hitherto unseen section of the property.

The conviction, subsequent release and fresh conviction of Steven Avery and his young nephew Brendan Dassey is a fiasco and travesty from beginning to end.

Even when the prosecutor, several years later is charged with multiple sexual offences, there is barely an outcry.

The incompetence and shoddiness and sloppiness of what passes for justice in Wisconsin is astounding. And disheartening. Everyone in it seems to be covering up for everyone else in the system.

I was incredibly moved by the story. It is addictively presented, filmed and told by its main characters. I was pulled in emotionally to what more could befall these unfortunates. And there is much more.

I am haunted by it. And despairing too.

A rare 10 out of 10 from me. And the Binge Watching Factor? 10/10

excellent

Author: godsgirl-64532 from fort worth
27 December 2015

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This documentary is too good not to watch. Talk about a framed man. For whatever reason, this small town law enforcement office has it out for Steven. To convict a man of rape simply to avenge your ticked off wife who was spreading rumors is unbelievable. Then when he is FINALLY proved innocent, the sheriff still can't admit he was wrong. Even with DNA proof.

What gets me is then they frame him for murder. He supposedly commits this horrendous, bloody crime involving stabbing, hair cutting, rape, etc yet there is no hair...no blood...no knife. Where did it go? The mattress clearly had no blood. So did he cover the filthy room in plastic first? Pick up every strand of cut hair? He supposedly did all this to even make this plausible but then hides the vehicle on his own property in plain site? Wow.

This guy needs a retrial. I had never heard of this case but seeing this makes me angry. Talk about crooked cops. Convenient all the "bad" evidence was found by the local law enforcement. And 8 days to search? Lol. What a joke.

US and A !!! US and A !!!!!

Author: HerrNull from Dominican Republic
3 February 2016

A must see ! -BUT beware!! it will bite you right in the heart. So if you are emotional, better skip it.

This doc will leave you with no air in your lungs and with an internal rage that it is hard to comprehend. It is incredible to believe how savage humans can be as well as courageous and perseverance.

Now I understand why most of the people want to get rich at cost of anything, cause if you are poor and powerless you worth less than a fly.

Now technically speaking: the documentary is beautifully well done and majestically right edited. Makes you feel the director is in fact a private detective. 2 Thumbs up.

Well, anyways...I will finish my preview with this:

After seeing "Making a Murderer" I wake up every day and tell the Lord: THANK YOU GOD that I don't live in USA.

What a country !

Great Documentary !!

Author: bobcolganrac from Earth
18 January 2016

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Two things: this is superb drama, Shakespearean; this is not something you can watch and be neutral toward.

Like all good storytellers the editors/cinematographers have done an amazing job of capturing and condensing events that took place over a 10 year period-----but in reality over a much longer time, closer to 20 years----and turning them into high art. That they were Johnnies-on-the-spot (Janies, really: Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, two very talented women) to gather info as it unfolded and combine it with available broadcasts, police video and audio recordings meant they spent considerable time actually involved with the entirety of the legal processes affecting the two primary defendants.

For me, the power of this work was its ability to keep me glued to the action---fearful of missing any moment of it. That the legal proceedings could be portrayed as out-of-step with the factual evidence didn't surprise me------but the depth to which they were distortions of that factual evidence did surprise me...shock me, in fact. Whether there was in the presentation by the cinematographers distortion, bias that could have skewed things...? Of course there could be. But it appeared to me too accurate a rendition of the events to be profoundly geared to either sanitized sugarcoating or flagrant hyperbole.

What happened to those people in Wisconsin happened. The film honors that reality by presenting it as an indictment of judiciary malfeasance.

I love documentary films. Done properly, their inherent authenticity places them far ahead of even well-acted films. In MAM the police and prosecutors, defendants and family members become an unforgettable cast. Not all is as it first appears----some who on first sighting looked honest reveal themselves to be anything but.....you can't judge these characters until you see how they fit into the drama.

The argument the filmmakers lay out: that Avery was railroaded, set up, for reasons both emotional and financial, and that his intellectually disabled nephew got dragged into the railroading is a cogent one.

I do not think the average person can watch this and not feel outrage at what happened. Those who continue to claim that Steven Avery may have committed the first crime for which he spent 18 years in prison---even after the revelation it was a known serial rapist who had done the crime---possibly would not be swayed by this amazing accounting of what happened in Wisconsin.

And there-in lies the rub: it's not just that it happened in Wisconsin---it could have been any State in the Union. With a jailed population of more than 2 million people this type of aggressive prosecution occurs all too frequently. That Demos and Ricciardi got this on film, captured it in stunning detail and suspensefully edited it--amazing. I thank them, and I pray that those who are accountable for that railroading are finally brought to justice, and that Avery, his family, his nephew are compensated financially for what was done to them. But they---like all who have gone a similar route---can NEVER be compensated for having had their chance to live as free men stolen from them.

Stitch up!

Author: paulpower-01199 from Dublin, Ireland
17 January 2016

I found the docu-series to be impartial, in fact that's one of the key attractions here, there is no narrative. The pictures, text and events drive the narrative.

There is a clear conflict of interest here. Steven Avery was suing officers Lenk (who saved the day when he found the car key on the 7th search attempt) and Colborn (who found the car 2 days before it was officially discovered). So this smells like a rat right away as those 2 had the car key and it wasn't drilled into (I'm guessing that 2 days also comes in handy when you want to plant some blood).

Then, Ryan Hillegas (Teresa's ex boyfriend who guessed her phone username and password, I can barely remember my own), directs Pam Sturm to the Avery compound but gives her a digital camera, only one he's given out all day to a huge search party plus a direct line to the sheriff. So, then Pam Sturm goes to the Avery yard, and is let in by Earl Avery. She goes in on foot to this 40 acre plot, but finds the car almost right away and the camera then comes in handy. The younger brother Earl Avery also spent time in jail and on probation for multiple incidents in the 1990s, such as beating his wife and sexually assaulting a child, Milwaukee Magazine reported. (Also not a nice guy).

So episode 5 is pretty key, with multiple witnesses that look like they are lying. Lenk, Colborn, Sturm, Hillegas all look like they are somehow involved in this. So, there is a serious amount of contenders here for alternatives to have killed Teresa. The cover up involves Lenk, Colborn and others (ok some maybe unwittingly). And Kratz (Chief Pervert on duty) poisons any would be juror with his made up narratives.

This is an unsafe conviction. FACT.

Wow...just wow. *Very mild spoilers*

Author: mpurvismattp from United States
22 December 2015

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This film is so disturbing, so strange and so amazingly outrageous it can barely be believed. The metaphor of an onion having layer upon layer and getting stinkier as each is peeled away is no more accurately used as in this documentary of our justice system abandoned for personal vedettes or quick convictions.

The lawless and disturbed members of the local police force using their power, influence and seemingly any tactic available or conceived to get their way leaves one speechless in their depravity.

The films show with cunning and unapologetic accuracy the injustice Steven Avery and his family have endured because they chose to fight for what was right instead of backing down to the thugs that tried to push them around and cover their own asses when they were forced to admit they arrested the wrong man.

I hope that these scumbag cops and everyone who has done wrong to the Avery family will be convicted of their crimes and punished severely for abusing the power and faith entrusted upon them by the people of their community.

The Halbach family is another tragic victim: they have lost a beloved member of their family and yet they are unable to see past their grief and get to the truth. I'm not condemning them in anyway, for it is surely a difficult and horrible thing to deal with, and I'm sure they only want justice and they truly feel they are doing the right thing by listening to what the police are telling them. The fact is they are being used themselves and they are only pawns in a sick game played by powerful people.

These people think they have the power and the right to decide who lives and who dies, who is important and who is disposable in life. They are wrong, whether or not they're arrested, whether or not they are convicted, whether or not anyone ever even knows what they did they are wrong!

This film illustrates quite fairly and conclusively that something is amiss and innocent people are suffering for that.

An eye opening look at our criminal justice system in the US.

Author: lukesdeal from United States
26 December 2015

I cried. I felt pain. This man is innocent and they keep trying to put him behind bars. This is a cold hard look at the criminal justice system we rely on today. Its flaws are numerous. The people behind the door are as dark and corrupt as the "criminals" they claim to catch.

It saddens my heart. Everyone should see this. Steven Avery needs justice NOW! So do thousands of others.

To all of the people locked up who retain their innocence. I hope you read this and watch this show and realize there are still those of us who seek your freedom.

To all of the dark shadowy figures who lurk in the background seeking to rid us of innocent people for your own gain. I hope you watch this and realize, the truth shall come out. It always does. You can run but you cannot hide.

Riveting Story of Police Corruption and Prosecutorial Abuse

Author: ligonlaw from San Francisco, California
6 January 2016

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Excellent documentary series on Netflix. "Making a Murderer" runs ten episodes beginning with the wrongful conviction of Steven Avery, who was exonerated after 18 years in prison for a rape he did not commit.

Following his release in the first case, Avery filed a suit against the state, county and the law enforcement officials who failed to follow the evidence which would have led them to the real rapist. The development of DNA procedures eventually proved that Avery was not present at the crime, and another man, who had committed more assaults and rapes while Avery was in prison, was conclusively found to be the culprit.

Avery's family owns a junkyard on the edge of town and the towns' people do not think kindly of the Avery clan.

The Avery case became a major embarrassment for the sheriff and the district attorney who were facing civil liability amounting to millions of dollars for their unethical conduct.

Hours before Avery was to enjoy a substantial windfall in the wrongful conviction suit, a woman was murdered, mutilated and her body burned outside Avery's trailer.

The second round of trials begins. It is a horrible sight, viewing the flaws of the justice system, the misconduct of police, prosecutors and hubris of the judges.

The police bullied mentally impaired young people into giving false confessions. A "defense" attorney bamboozled his mentally-impaired client into giving a false confession. Incredible stupidity and a nauseating display of incompetence and abuse of the unsuspecting.

One wonders if all Wisconsin attorneys are required to attend law school.

The documentary underscores the vast difference between inept lawyers and extremely professional ones. The defense team for the murder trial and the post-conviction appellate attorneys were excellent, but the documentary illustrates the heavy lifting that must be done to overcome ineffective counsel early in the case.

Kudos to the filmmaker.

What about His Civil Rights?
Author: krystalglen from United States
7 January 2016

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I do not understand why the Prosecutors are fussing. The information is based on THEIR evidence. Which to me looks like a set-up. This is the most horrendous miscarriage of justice I have seen. Disgusting!

If these people call themselves "god-fearing" I hope God will judge them harshly for their hatefulness.

I am glad the Netflix saw the need to bring this out in the open. So much of our society, who call them "Christian" are, themselves, persecuting the poor who, in particular. Jesus died for. People like Steven Avery would have a person would have helped!!!

But today the people with the power are doing the most damage to ones most vulnerable. Steven Avery and his nephew are not highly educated, do not know their rights, and are most easily manipulated. They are prey in the hands of those with power. Wisconsin Should Be Ashamed!!!