Watchlist Wednesday: Making a Murderer (Parts 1 & 2)
If you somehow missed this one during the height of true crime’s Netflix boom, consider this your official summons.
Making a Murderer is a two-part true crime docuseries released by Netflix. The first installment premiered in 2015 and consists of 10 episodes, while Part 2 followed in 2018, adding another 10 episodes that continue and expand the story. Though labeled as one series, they cover two distinct stages of legal proceedings, with a noticeable shift in tone, focus, and cast of characters.
The documentary centers around a man from rural Wisconsin and the legal cases that come to define nearly his entire life. What begins as a story of exoneration quickly spirals into a deeper examination of the justice system, police procedure, public perception, and the fine line between guilt and reasonable doubt.
What the Documentary Got Right
Long-form storytelling: Making a Murderer helped revolutionize how true crime was delivered. Its episodic, serialized format gave viewers time to process details and form opinions, rather than condensing complex cases into a single hour. (Making a Murderer wasn’t unique in its format, but it was Netflix’s first major hit in the serialized true crime space. It reached a global audience instantly, thanks to binge-release strategy and the rise of streaming culture. It also leaned heavily into viewer activism, inspiring petitions, Reddit threads, and armchair investigations. Unlike The Staircase, which took years to become widely known, Making a Murderer exploded overnight.)
Access and footage: The filmmakers followed the case for over 10 years, amassing courtroom footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments that few other documentaries had at the time.
Public engagement: The series sparked widespread interest in wrongful convictions and judicial misconduct. It encouraged a generation of true crime watchers to look beyond headlines and into transcripts, appeals, and legal gray areas.
The Controversy
With popularity came backlash. While the documentary was praised for raising awareness, it was also criticized for its editorial choices, with some legal experts and law enforcement accusing it of leaving out key facts or misrepresenting timelines.
Many believe the series leaned heavily toward a particular narrative, framing the subjects as victims of systemic failure, while glossing over contradictory evidence. The filmmakers maintain that they presented the story as it unfolded to them, but the debate over bias and omission still lingers.
Final Thoughts
Making a Murderer remains one of the most discussed and dissected true crime series of the last decade. Whether you walk away convinced, conflicted, or furious, it’s a must-watch for anyone interested in media influence, legal ethics, and the ripple effects of crime. Just know that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and each part offers a very different viewing experience.
Seen it already? Share your thoughts below.
Not your thing? Suggest a hidden gem instead.
