Making a Murderer: The true crime classic that changed everything

When Netflix released Making a Murderer in December 2015, it marked a turning point for true crime storytelling. The series quickly became a global phenomenon, igniting debates about wrongful convictions, legal misconduct, and the power of media in shaping public opinion. The first season, made up of 10 episodes, follows the case of Steven Avery, a man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, who was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault and spent 18 years in prison before DNA evidence proved his innocence. Just as he begins to rebuild his life, he is arrested again — this time for the murder of local photographer Teresa Halbach.

The series documents the investigation, the collection of evidence, and the trial that leads to the conviction of both Avery and his teenage nephew Brendan Dassey. Each episode slowly peels back the layers of the justice system, raising uncomfortable questions about fairness, bias, and institutional power. Viewers are left with far more questions than answers.

The people at the center
Steven Avery is portrayed as a man fighting not just to prove his innocence but to survive a system that has failed him once before. His nephew, Brendan Dassey, is a vulnerable teenager with intellectual limitations who is pulled into the case through a coerced confession recorded during a disturbing police interrogation.

Teresa Halbach, the victim, is also central to the story. The documentary treats her life and death with care, even as the legal proceedings take center stage. In season two, attorney Kathleen Zellner becomes a major presence. She takes on Avery’s post-conviction case and begins a new investigation, revealing flaws in the original trial and introducing alternative theories that point to potential wrongful conviction.

What makes it unique
Making a Murderer is unlike anything that came before it. Filmed over more than a decade, the series blends real courtroom footage, police interviews, media coverage, and original commentary to create an immersive experience. The documentary’s style is slow, detailed, and emotionally raw — and that’s exactly why it resonated with so many.

Creators Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos don’t just tell a story — they challenge our assumptions about justice, guilt, and how power operates in the real world. Making a Murderer became a lightning rod for discussions around law enforcement, false confessions, and the role of class and privilege in legal outcomes.

Series overview
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 20 (10 per season)
Premiere dates: December 2015 (Season 1), October 2018 (Season 2)
Available on: Netflix

Making a Murderer is more than just a gripping crime story — it’s a window into how the justice system works, and what happens when it breaks down. If you're interested in legal failures, system flaws, and the human consequences of a conviction, this is essential viewing.

Want to explore more documentaries that question the courts and spotlight legal reform? Check out our Top 10 true crime documentaries that changed the law — a list of powerful stories that have had real-world impact.