Netflix has truly become a “network” all its own with its Original Programing, Including Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, and Daredevil to name a few. Making a Murderer is one of its newest series, a documentary series following the release and rearrest of Steven Avery, a man who was wrongfully convicted of a sexual assault, and spent 18 years in prison, and was released thanks to DNA evidence. It then chronicles the accusation and his eventual arrest for the murder of Teresa Halbach.
While watching the show, it is very easy to
become emotional due to the CLEAR injustice given to Avery throughout just the first episode. He has multiple alibi witnesses and a good defense, he was still found guilty of sexual assault. The story goes on to chronicle his 36 Million dollar lawsuit against the Manitowoc County Police department. Then shortly after his suit is filed, he is investigated and eventually arrested for the Murder of Teresa Halbach. The emotional roller coaster of this show is quite exhausting, especially when you binge watch. This is not to say it is not worth the ups and downs that this show brings. However tissues are definitely needed here.
Steven Avery is a likable, good ole boy. He seems like the kind of guy you’d find in any small down bar, walking in after the whistle blows and crawling out hours later. Avery had a “troubled” past which included some robbery and animal abuse charges. However the family photos that are inserted over his voice over show a simple family man. Avery and his family run the “Avery” junk yard in a town where most everyone is a middle class farmer. So he was looked down upon by most people in this town.
Making a Murderer is bleak, riveting, and gripping. This show is not about the bells and whistles of “film making” most of the shots are gritty courtroom footage, family photos and news reports. Co-directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, tell a gripping story that keeps you saying “Yes I am still watching”. Even at the end it leaves you still wanting more, spending hours exploring the internet for more information of this case, debating in depths of Reddit and standing around the water cooler with your co-workers discussing the “Who-dun-it.” Similar to the first season of the Podcast Serial, this has sparked a community of people divided on both sides of this story. One screaming “He is innocent”, the other defending the justice system and insisting that justice has been served.
Overall I give this show a 9! This show tells an amazing story, about the true struggles of Steven Avery, and shines a light on a very broken system. However I do feel as though the victims story gets lost among the injustice here. However hers was not the story being told. My final words on this show are, heartbreaking, moving, and painful.
