Why Making a Murderer Could Be a Huge Game Changer for Netflix
If you couldn’t get enough of the original Serial run or its current second season, chances are you’re totally addicted to the Netflix blockbuster Making a Murderer. We get it: We’ve definitely been binge-watching our way through the true crime documentary series too. But this one might have major real-world consequences that could change the game for Netflix (and the criminal justice system) forever.
Following the murder conviction of Steven Avery and his nephew, Brendan, the series examines biases in the way that the case was investigated and covered by media at the time, which may or may not have put an innocent man behind bars. And, as with Serial before it, the public has gotten emotionally invested in seeing that the men convicted for the crime are given justice. (Seriously, if you haven’t watched this show yet, you must go do that right now.)
President of the United States: Free Steven Avery – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/Nsmc5hhhbk via Change
— Stroke 9 (@Stroke9) January 4, 2016
A set of petitions hosted on both the official White House petition website and Change.org are pleading that the Obama administration get involved in freeing Steven Avery. Over 200,000 signatures have been added to the combined petitions so far.
As the White House petition puts it: “Based on the evidence in the Netflix documentary series ‘Making a Murderer,’ the justice system embarrassingly failed both men, completely ruining their entire lives. There is clear evidence that the Manitowoc County sheriff’s department used improper methods to convict both Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey.”
If these petitions succeed in undoing the series’s murder convictions (provided they’re actually wrong), it would be a huge coup for Netflix… not to mention, you know, justice. Never underestimate the power of media!
Have you been watching Making a Murderer? Tweet us about it @britandco!
(h/t Independent + photo via Netflix)
