The Staircase

:

Season 1
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 3 out of 20
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. silverado
    Jun 20, 2018
    10
    I never heard of writer Michael Peterson and his case. When Netflix offered this series I immediately wanted to see it. I love crime mysteries, and I also highly enjoyed Making A Murderer. The Staircase is indeed very much a mystery. Episode after episode I doubted Peterson's innocence. (I havent finished the series completely yet) I dont understand his family, they absolutely believe himI never heard of writer Michael Peterson and his case. When Netflix offered this series I immediately wanted to see it. I love crime mysteries, and I also highly enjoyed Making A Murderer. The Staircase is indeed very much a mystery. Episode after episode I doubted Peterson's innocence. (I havent finished the series completely yet) I dont understand his family, they absolutely believe him he did not murder women. Well, I found that very painfull and scary.

    Both crime scenes were covered in blood by head trauma, so it really looks like murder, but my aunt also died by falling down the stairs. My family told me this also triggered a blood bath. My aunt also died that same day she fell. So when you walk up the strairs and fall flat backwards, your head makes a huge bang, but you dont expect that many lacerations as in the cases of Peterson. I still dont know what happened.    … Expand
  2. CasandraComplex
    Oct 30, 2018
    9
    I don't understand people who watch documentaries or Doc-Series and expect it to entertain them them same way that other pure entertainment shows do. Whatever. This series is similar to shows like, "The making of a murderer" and to a lesser extent, "I am Innocent". I have a penchant for Forensic based shows and true crime based shows so I know what to expect when I engage in them. I findI don't understand people who watch documentaries or Doc-Series and expect it to entertain them them same way that other pure entertainment shows do. Whatever. This series is similar to shows like, "The making of a murderer" and to a lesser extent, "I am Innocent". I have a penchant for Forensic based shows and true crime based shows so I know what to expect when I engage in them. I find the entertainment value in the gradual discovery of evidence , revelations on how the evidence may have been mishandled, the discovery of foul play by law enforcement officials, District Attorneys who appear to have hidden agendas (probably the upward mobility of their careers), so called forensic experts and even judges who mysteriously allow or not allow certain objections or prejudicial testimonies permitted in their courtroom.
    On a personal note, I find it fascinating to try and figure out who is lying. I came from a broken home that stayed together where everyone was and still are liars and so that's where the genesis of that fascination was seeded in me. Suffice it to say, I've watched a lot of ," Forensic Files" What I've learned is that when a case gets this convoluted, almost everyone is lying for different reasons with the possible exception of whom I perceive to be the wrongly accused. This show has done an excellent job of documenting what is in my view, a huge miscarriage of justice over many many years. I often wonder why so-called families of victims carry so much weight in the courtroom when in reality, they are almost unfailingly blind to any facts that do not support their carnal rage for revenge regardless of mountains of evidence to the contrary. In this case the two sisters of the victim. One of whom is monstrously crazy, blood thirsty for revenge and an intensely detestable wind bag. One gets the impression that the wind bag somehow has some kind of pull with the politicians or law enforcement officials in that county. Why are they considered the family when the victim left behind 4/5 offspring who support the accused? This show is thought provoking but unfortunately also provokes those who are unreasonable, seemingly numb to other truths but the ones that support their lust for revenge or their opinion which was formed before all of the facts that have and continue to, come to light.    … Expand
  3. GrantD243
    Aug 6, 2018
    7
    The Staircase is a perfectly fine documentary series about a murder case that suffered from the prosecution's determination to get Michael convicted, regardless of what the evidence actually showed. There's nothing here many of us haven't seen before, but it's well done and shines a light on a key weakness in our justice system, as many other modern documentary series have done .
  4. campbellsouptm
    Aug 13, 2020
    10
    Favorite crime documentary ever. It felt like every other episode I was changing my mind about whether or not he did it. Mike Peterson is a fascinating man. A murderer, but still.

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best TV Season of 2004
8
#8 Most Discussed TV Season of 2004
7
#7 Most Shared TV Season of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Apr 20, 2018
    100
    The documentary keeps adding layers of complexity to the tale until one is entirely hooked by its ambiguities and twists and turns -- and soon, as with a great novel, one can't wait to see what happens next.
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    Apr 20, 2018
    100
    The eight-part feature, which aired on the Sundance Channel in 2005, is absolutely gripping and illustrates just how powerful documentary filmmaking can be.
    Read full review
  3. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: Tony Dokoupil
    Apr 20, 2018
    90
    The Staircase is the scariest portrait of criminal justice since the nonfiction film that helped launch the modern innocence movement, Errol Morris’s The Thin Blue Line. It’s scarier, in fact, because The Staircase isn’t based on re-creations but on original footage, a front-row view of legal truth as it’s feathered into existence, manufactured from guesses and conjecture, and sold to a jury as more or less believable fiction.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »