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Season 1 – Making a Murderer

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Making a Murderer Dec 2015 Documentary Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Exonerated after spending nearly two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit, Steven Avery filed suit against Manitowoc County, Wis., and several individuals involved with his arrest. Shortly after, however, Avery found himself behind bars again, this time accused of the murder of 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach. She was last seen on Avery's property, where she was to photograph a vehicle. Avery and nephew Brendan Dassey were tried and (spoiler alert) convicted of the crime. But that's not the end of the story. When Columbia graduate students Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos read about Avery, they felt his story would make an interesting documentary. Neither PBS nor HBO were interested, but Netflix took on their concept to produce the docuseries, which generated plenty of publicity and prompted petitions to have Avery's case reviewed, though officials in Wisconsin insist all the evidence is not presented in the program.
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Making a Murderer — Season 1

Making a Murderer — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Making a Murderer is a spellbinding slow burn that effectively utilizes the documentary format to tell a twisty mystery.

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Critics Reviews

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Graeme Blundell The Australian Jul 19, 2021
[An] extraordinary piece of investigative journalism... Go to Full Review Emma Thrower Empire Magazine Nov 4, 2017
4/5
Making A Murderer is undoubtedly the current jewel in Netflix's crown and isn't something to visit in weekly instalments - to do so would undermine the near-flawless cliffhanger mould. Go to Full Review Michael Idato Sydney Morning Herald Sep 26, 2016
Watch, think, discuss, debate. If television has any value in modern society, this it is. Go to Full Review Gem Seddon SFX Magazine Feb 3, 2022
There's a reason this show has captured the public's interest. Go to Full Review Andy Dehnart Reality Blurred Feb 27, 2020
Even if you've Googled the outcome of the trial, it's remarkable to watch it unfold on screen. That the events of Making a Murderer are messy, disturbing, baffling, and sometimes unknowable-it's real life, after all. Go to Full Review Kate Summerscale London Review of Books Nov 6, 2018
The traditionally schlocky true-crime genre has been invested with new purpose... The style is patient, understated, anti-sensational. We are invited to act as detectives and jurors, sorting the truths from the fictions and the clues from the red herring. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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R T @RT24598317 Jun 13, 2026 2 seasons and a total of 20 episodes is just way and way too long. Interesting for sure, but one season would be more than enough. See more Phillip J @RT65187272 Nov 18, 2025 There should be a special place in heaven for the journalists who invest years of their lives painstakingly investigating and exposing the truth in the ways demonstrated in this outstanding documentary. Similarly there should be a special place somewhere much worse for those bad apples in law enforcement and the judicial system who undermine our society in the ways exposed. See more Tshepo D @RT62170748 Oct 29, 2024 Definitely one of the best Docuseries on Netflix. Not sure if it’s just me, but during episode 2 of Season 1, about 2 days or so after Teresa was reported missing; Mike Halbach talks about the grieving process possibly taking weeks or months or even years. This was before they learned about the fate of Teresa. And how the hack did they guess the password to Teresa’s phone that quick? Too suspicious… See more Colleen L @RT86547635 Oct 11, 2024 Absolutely dishonest through and through. The makers of this documentary have a flippant disregard for the truth and a total lack of respect for the real people who were deeply affected by these events. From strategically editing testimony to leaving out key evidence entirely, Making a Murderer is a fabricated story that has done untold harm to the individuals it has slandered. Worse still it garnered sympathy for an absolute monster. It is disgusting to think that Netflix allowed this to air in the first place. See more Edward F @edwillfite Jun 14, 2024 I thought this was a compelling documentary, until I found out that they lied about significant parts of the case and selectively edited the footage of the case to make Steven Avery look innocent. The documentary Convicting a Murderer does an excellent job as exposing this series for what it is, a fraud. But it is entertaining. See more Juan A @RT62710013 Oct 13, 2023 This show was heavily edited in a way to mislead the viewer in the events that actually occurred. See more Read all reviews
Making a Murderer — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Laura Ricciardi

Creator

Moira Demos

Creator

Steven Avery

Self

Dolores Avery

Self

Allan Avery

Self

Jerry Buting

Self

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Dec 18, 2015 Eighteen Years Lost When Steve Avery is freed from a wrongful conviction, his search for justice raises questions about the authorities who put him behind bars. Details Episode 2 Aired Dec 18, 2015 Turning the Tables As Steven starts creating a new life for himself, he pursues a lawsuit against Manitowoc County law enforcement officials for corruption in his case. Details Episode 3 Aired Dec 18, 2015 Plight of the Accused Steven is back in jail, charged with murder, but there are troubling questions about how he was arrested and why. Details Episode 4 Aired Dec 18, 2015 Indefensible An unexpected confession casts doubt on Steven's role in the murder case, but the new suspect gives conflicting accounts of what occurred. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 18, 2015 The Last Person to See Teresa Alive As Steven's trial begins, his attorneys argue that law enforcement officials framed him and were negligent in not pursuing other leads in the case. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 18, 2015 Testing the Evidence Steven's attorneys cross-examine forensic experts about contaminated evidence and the absence of proof linking Steven to the crime. Details Episode 7 Aired Dec 18, 2015 Framing Defense As the murder trial concludes, Steven's attorneys present their case that law enforcement officials planted evidence to frame him. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 18, 2015 The Great Burden After two long days of closing arguments, the jury begins deliberations; Steven's fate hinges on whether the jury believes police misconduct may have occurred. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 18, 2015 Lack of Humility Steven's trial is over, but a new one is just beginning; the jury must choose to believe either the suspect's confession or his conflicting statements. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 18, 2015 Fighting for Their Lives In the years after Steven's and Brendan's very public trials, the various members of the Avery family struggle to mend their broken lives. Details

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Making a Murderer — Season 1

Making a Murderer Making a Murderer Making a Murderer Making a Murderer <em>Making a Murderer</em>, Season 1 View more photos

Season Info

Director
Moira Demos, Laura Ricciardi
Creator
Laura Ricciardi, Moira Demos
Executive Producer
Laura Ricciardi, Moira Demos
Screenwriter
Moira Demos, Laura Ricciardi
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Documentary, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date
Dec 18, 2015
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