The Staircase [2018 Version]: Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 8 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere Date: June 8, 2018

Summary: Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's 2005 Peabody Award-winning eight-part documentary about the Michael Peterson murder trial comes to Netflix with three new episodes (as well as the two episodes released in 2013 for a grand total of 13 episodes).

Genre(s): Movie/Mini-Series, News/Documentary, Documentary

Season 1 Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

John Anderson

Jun 7, 2018

The Staircase is consistently, understatedly astounding in what it shows us and where Mr. De Lestrade’s camera goes. ... One of the more enigmatic works of documentary ever made. Read full review

100

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Jun 7, 2018

It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime shows as it’s not only a fascinating case on its own but really the template for so much that’s on television and streaming services today. Read full review

100

The Daily Beast Nick Schager

Jun 7, 2018

It’s a binge-watcher’s dream come true: an absorbing epic that echoes its own subject matter. ... Far more than just a riveting mystery about whether Michael Peterson is a killer, this expanded version of The Staircase is a warts-and-all portrait of the frustrating intricacies of the American judicial system, and the myriad infuriating and exhausting ways in which it inefficiently operates. Read full review

Katie Rife

Jun 7, 2018

There are many possible interpretations of what happened the night Kathleen Peterson died, and many different ways to judge the players involved. This ambiguity, the fact that two people can watch the same series and come away with different conclusions, is ultimately to The Staircase’s credit. Read full review

Sonia Saraiya

Jun 10, 2018

It’s a gorgeous ending, complete with a post-credits coda. Read full review

Jen Chaney

Jun 11, 2018

In a way, The Staircase is like a true-crime version of the Up series, albeit on a much more modest scale. It is compelling, but like many entries in this genre, not exactly an objective work of journalism. Read full review

Bruce Miller

Jun 11, 2018

Like a good novel, The Staircase never seems to bore. It does, however, give viewers pause when it comes to the justice system. Read full review

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User Score

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7.7

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Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

blawren4

Jul 5, 2018

I remember the case, but I'd never heard of this before the last 3 episodes were on Netflix. It was fascinating throughout. Mike Peterson wasn't exactly likeable, but his family certainly made up for that. There is a lot of complexity to the family life and legal staff that make this veryI remember the case, but I'd never heard of this before the last 3 episodes were on Netflix. It was fascinating throughout. Mike Peterson wasn't exactly likeable, but his family certainly made up for that. There is a lot of complexity to the family life and legal staff that make this very interesting to watch. Truly a case study in how the news media can totally miss the point and show their true colors in forcing opinions on others for ratings.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

lillori

Sep 2, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Riveting! I watched all episodes in 2 days. I realize that any doc is going to be biasedly edited depending on the production team and their views but even if the whole story may not have been presented, the facts that were presented to the viewers were enough to make you really think about how perverted the criminal justice system can be and how often our rights as US citizens are not upheld. Regardless of what really happened, the show puts a spotlight on how our right to be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt is not something that we can take for granted as cititzens of this country 100% of the time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

aydge89

Jul 10, 2018

Riveting, absorbing and captivating from beginning to end. Do yourself a favour and go in blind. Don't read anything about it. It's very easy to binge this though I watched it over about a week as I didn't want to finish it too soon.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Objectif

Jun 22, 2018

Highly engaging story, extremely bloated series. The last several episodes, at least, should have been heavily edited and condensed.

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

kirsten123

Jun 12, 2018

As fascinating as it is {and it really is a fascinating story} the first two episodes were a bit of a slog at times which made me think I lacked the staying power to sit through all THIRTEEN!

Maybe I should have stuck with it instead of Googling the full story.

7 of 11 users found this helpful74

justinhow

Aug 9, 2018

I watched this and was enthralled by it - fantastic exciting TV and journalism. Edge of the seat stuff. HOWEVER - I then did some more research and found that the team producing this series was very selective in what they included. For example there was virtually no mention of the veryI watched this and was enthralled by it - fantastic exciting TV and journalism. Edge of the seat stuff. HOWEVER - I then did some more research and found that the team producing this series was very selective in what they included. For example there was virtually no mention of the very significant financial issues the couple were in, or the fact that one of the french crew (Sophie Brunet, the film's editor) was having a relationship with Michael for many years during the making of the program. What about the fact that Kathleen had a large life insurance policy.... These and other issues either were totally ignored or at best mentioned in passing. This is unforgivable for was is presented as impartial journalism.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Acrofilo

Jun 22, 2018

I am forced to give it a low score because as much at is a interesting exercise in style, it is excessively demanding. You have to give it your full attention and it doesn't make any effort to be entertaining. It is real life in real time portrayed. If you want to know everything about thisI am forced to give it a low score because as much at is a interesting exercise in style, it is excessively demanding. You have to give it your full attention and it doesn't make any effort to be entertaining. It is real life in real time portrayed. If you want to know everything about this case and its trial, then it is perfect, but is far from a TV show you can recommend if you're looking for any sort of ENTERTAINMENT.… Expand

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

92

Series Overview
Season 1

92
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: June 8, 2018
- No episode information is currently available for this season