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Season 1 – The Innocent Man

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Innocent Man Dec 2018 Documentary Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Two murders that shook the small town of Ada, Okla., in the 1980s gained national attention and even led to renowned author John Grisham writing a nonfiction book about the crimes. Now Grisham serves as an executive producer for this six-part docuseries -- which shares its name with his 2006 book -- that takes a closer look at the notorious deaths. "The Innocent Man" includes interviews with the victims' friends and family members, Ada residents, attorneys, journalists and others involved in the case -- including Grisham himself. The series, directed by Clay Tweel ("Gleason"), blends new footage with compelling archival video and photos.
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The Innocent Man — Season 1

The Innocent Man — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The Innocent Man will satisfy true crime aficionados looking for a slickly packaged mystery, but viewers seeking a more probing deconstruction of the justice system may come away disappointed.

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Critics Reviews

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Jen Chaney New York Magazine/Vulture 12/18/2018
We've seen this type of story told so many times in recent years, and with such aesthetic similarities, that we recognize its rhythms before the series can even hit a first note. Go to Full Review Sophie Gilbert The Atlantic 12/17/2018
The most interesting elements in the series are the ones left unexplored. Loose threads abound. And together, they hint at a larger story more compelling and less familiar than the one that's actually being told. Go to Full Review Judy Berman TIME Magazine 12/15/2018
Ward's story is powerful enough to underscore the necessity of such a compassionate appeal. Go to Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site 08/05/2020
Overall, The Innocent Man presents a damning indictment of the judicial system in rural towns like Ada... Go to Full Review Diego Jemio Clarín 05/13/2019
Each episode of The Innocent Man offers a story with an efficient structure. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Victor Stiff In The Seats 02/01/2019
3/5
The series uses two small-town murder investigations to question issues plaguing the entire criminal justice system, and the answers it arrives at are tough to swallow. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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noel d Jun 10 I read half the book and couldn't finish. I am glad they came out with a documentary. It was hard to watch knowing what my father, Ron went through. I wish i would have gotten to meet him while he was still alive. I have written a book called 'The Daughter of The Innocent Man' See more 03/23/2021 This documentary attempts the highly popular true crime approach of many other programmes over the last few years. However unlike others I find the story unstructured, often moving around between different key points and many times leaving loose ends unexplained. This is not I believe for effect, I think it is simply a case of poor directing and editing throughout. Overall the story is compelling and concerning but ultimately I am left frustrated with both the issues with the police investigation and the program itself. See more 02/19/2021 Detailed look at the true story of two crimes committed in a small town, and how the local law enforcement handled it. It's very detailed and covers a lot of ground on false confessions, perhaps too much – maybe when the Grisham book came out false confessions weren't well known, but I think by now most people are aware that they happen all too often. Still, the documentary treats false confessions like something few people know about, so it feels a little dragged out sometimes. But, all in all, the documentary is well-researched and produced, and if you are willing to sit through some slow parts, it is yet another interesting but tragic story about the criminal justice system. See more 07/19/2020 I can't believe these two men are still incarcerated. The people who brought these two men to trial were the most incompetent I have ever witnessed. See more 03/17/2019 A beautiful, underrated documentary about corruption, punishment and mystery. See more 01/28/2019 Tough to watch after reading the book first. But trying to look at the documentary separate from the book, the documentary jumps around too much and doesn't build any emotional feelings for the falsely accused. See more Read all reviews
The Innocent Man — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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John Grisham

Self

Heather McPhaul

Actor

Erik Anthony Russo

Actor

Garrett Davis

Actor

John Grisham

Executive Producer

J. Clay Tweel

Executive Producer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Dec 14, 2018 Debbie and Denice A young woman is found murdered in 1982 in Ada, Okla.; two years later, another woman goes missing, sparking rumors of a connection. Details Episode 2 Aired Dec 14, 2018 In Dreams Tommy recounts his conversation with police about Denice's disappearance; authorities pursue leads in Debbie's murder while her mom struggles to cope. Details Episode 3 Aired Dec 14, 2018 Rotten to the Core Citing new and previously withheld evidence, lawyers from the Innocence Project appeal the murder convictions of Ron and Dennis. Details Episode 4 Aired Dec 14, 2018 Corpus Delicti An autopsy reveals a stunning contradiction to Tommy and Karl's confession; an investigative reporter canvases Ada for leads. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 14, 2018 Smoking Guns While investigating the other possible suspects in Denice's murder, a reporter learns that getting people to talk can be tricky. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 14, 2018 Snow Storm Tommy's attorneys prepare a new appeal; John Grisham speaks about what drew him to the stories surrounding the murders in Ada. Details

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The Innocent Man — Season 1

The Innocent Man: Season 1 Trailer The Innocent Man: Season 1 Trailer 2:20 View more videos
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The Innocent Man — Season 1

The Innocent Man The Innocent Man The Innocent Man View more photos

Season Info

Director
J. Clay Tweel
Executive Producer
John Grisham, J. Clay Tweel, Ross M. Dinerstein, David Gernert
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date
Dec 14, 2018
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