“Making a Murderer” proved to be the Dom Perignon of binge TV options for many showbizzers during the holiday break.
The ten-part documentary series about Steven Avery, a Wisconsin man who is believed to have been framed for the 2005 murder of photographer Teresa Halbach, has generated a storm of glowing reviews and discussion on social media about Avery’s fate. A Netflix rep said Sunday that at present there are no plans for the streaming service to feature any updates or additional material on Avery’s saga.
Outrage stirred since the docu series bowed on Dec. 18 has led to online petitions calling for his pardon, including a Change.org effort that had nearly 111,000 signatures as of Sunday evening. The detail in the docuseries from filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos has led to a chorus of critics calling for disciplinary actions against prosecutors in Wisconsin’s Manitowoc County and broader reforms of the criminal justice system.
The response to “Making a Murderer” recalls the reaction to HBO’s “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” a docuseries on a suspected murderer that aired last February and March. The details exposed in that series contributed to Durst’s arrest in March for the 2000 murder of his friend Susan Berman, a case long considered cold by Los Angeles police.
“Making a Murderer” drew plenty of attention from Hollywood insiders, which is sure to add fuel to the fire behind deep-dive documentary series looking at questionable prosecutions and long-forgotten unsolved crimes. It also raises the prospect of a foot race among producers to develop a narrative take on Avery’s story.
Ricciardi and Demos spent a decade documenting the case. Avery has a criminal record, but he was exonerated in 2003 after serving 18 years for a rape that he did not commit. Two years later, he was back behind bars following Halbach’s murder.
“Making a Murderer” champions to date range from Ricky Gervais and Zach Braff to YouTube star Pewdiepie. Here’s a sampling:
@allHs @filmgreek @CallieKhouri here congratulations to you both on a monumentally great piece of filmmaking I've watched all 10 eps. twice
— Callie Khouri (@CallieKhouri) December 31, 2015
If you have not watched #MakingAMurderer on Netflix you are seriously missing out. I've never… https://t.co/CX9BrwzJiq
— DC (@DaneCook) December 30, 2015
Holy SHIT I think Making a Murderer may just be the most staggering documentary series I've ever seen.
— Charlie Brooker (@charltonbrooker) December 24, 2015
Finished @MakingAMurderer. No spoilers so I'm not gonna destroy the fucking world just yet. Let me know when you've watch it so you can help
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 25, 2015
Watch @MakingAMurderer on Netflix. Don't start unless you have 10 hours free. Don't throw anything at your TV in frustration. #BoxingDay
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) December 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/AndrewRannells/status/680105544749744128
A million thx @joeberlinger. Your & Bruce's work has always inspired us, Brother's Keeper, Paradise Lost trilogy… https://t.co/lxIXDluqdo
— Laura Ricciardi (@allHs) December 24, 2015
I encourage everyone to follow@MakingAMurderer
This series is truly remarkable
— HABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) December 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/pewdiepie/status/678742744878219265
MAKING A MURDER https://t.co/acaUup3225 THIS DOCU SERIES SHOULD BE REQUIRED VIEWING FOR ALL AMERICANS!!! https://t.co/tJWuion2UK
— ROSIE (@Rosie) December 24, 2015
Have you seen Making A Murderer on Netflix? Outraged? If so join the cause https://t.co/5jDqSiCpqB and if not cancel plans and watch!
— Jeff Probst (@JeffProbst) January 3, 2016
MAKING A MURDERER on Netflix is one
Of the great documentaries ever. A frightening
Examination of our justice system— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) January 2, 2016
Spending New Years watching "Making a Murderer" on Netflix & I highly suggest u do the same.
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) January 1, 2016