Making A Murderer is a Netflix documentary, which examines the troubling case of Steven Avery. You’ve most likely already heard of the series, as its been plastered across each and every one of the news outlets. Now, let me just say that I absolutely love true crime stories, especially those dealing with possible injustices. I’ve read numerous books, including Within These Walls: Memoirs of a Death House Chaplain, Bloodsworth and Manifest Injustice. I’ve also read A Rip in Heaven, so I an no stranger to these types of tales. Although I tend to give the writer the benefit of the doubt, I am also realistic and understand that cases can be propagandized through various mediums, including books and documentaries.
So, Making A Murder should be right up my alley. Ideally, I should be totally engrossed with the documentary. In actuality, I barely made it through a single episode and much of that was skipped. From the onset, the documentary is grueling to watch and its grueling nature cannot be associated with the treatment of Steven Avery. The series is simply drawn out beyond belief. How anyone could sit through 10 hours of cockroach infested homes and junked out cars is beyond me and I kid you not. Many of the same scenes were used several times throughout the episode I watched. The majority of the expenses associated with the documentary’s production can most likely be attributed to public records requests. I would be surprised, if the production costs exceeded a few hundred dollars. It would appear the majority of the expenses went directly towards advertisement and tipping critics for favorable reviews.
Secondly, the documentary is incredibly biased. I’ve always believed prosecutors were the ones you needed to be weary of, but the documentary doesn’t ever attempt to show both sides of the spectrum. Instead, everyone with a badge tacked onto their shirt was labelled a villain and that includes the sketch artist. Sadly, he was correct. His sketch more closely resembled Avery than it did Allen. On the other hand, the Avery family and his attorneys attempt to give credence to the idea that Avery is a totally innocent man. Of course, this is the same public defender, who allowed Avery to go down in the first place. Should she not shoulder some of the blame, as well? We all know public defenders are often complicit in the injustices.
Finally, the last piece of the puzzle is Avery. I have seen countless wrongfully convicted individuals leave prison. None of these people presented the same attitude that Avery exhibited. Despite spending 18 years behind bars, Avery remained stoic upon his release. It almost felt like he knew he would return in the near future. At other times, Avery smirked and was generally cocky. He showed no joy or anger, which is truly startling. Of course, the hardest pill to swallow is Avery’s criminal record. He really did himself no favors. He reminds me of the Central Park Five. Although innocent in the end, both sets of men put themselves in incredibly stupid situations and brought about their own convictions. Stay away from correctional facilities and you will likely continue doing so.
Making A Murderer would’ve been better served, if it had been fewer episodes and hadn’t attempted to portray Avery as an innocent man, because he likely is not. In order to believe the conspiracy that Avery was framed, one really needs to suspend reality and step into a fantasy world. Avery was brought up in a white trash family and was trouble from the get go. This makes it very difficult for me to cheer for him. There are truly an abundance of better people out there to get behind and Avery is one of the worst. Ray Krone would’ve been a much better study. Or how about the story of Melinda and Clarence Elkins? Or maybe Douglas Prade and his infamous bite mark?
Truly, Making A Murderer lives true to the name. It is infuriating and nothing more than an exploitative piece. It exploits everyone involved and those responsible for making this propaganda piece should be ashamed. Of course, it works brilliantly on the simpletons, who are too afraid to look outside of the box and do their own research. The best thing you can do is ignore Making a Murderer and watch The Thin Blue Line or The Staircase instead. The Staircase is immensely better and delivers a much less bias view. You’ll be glad that you did and the fire poke will stick with you well after it is all over. As for Making a Murderer, I couldn’t finish it, but a 2.5 out of 10 is deserved for the bits I did manage to sit through.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
