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Released today on HBO Max. Currently 79 on Metacritic with 24 reviews. Starring Colin Firth, Toni Collette, Parker Posey, Sophie Turner, & Dane DeHaan. Directed by Antonio Campos.
Trailer link here:
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, “The Staircase” explores the life of Michael Peterson (Colin Firth), a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen (Toni Collette) after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their North Carolina estate, and the 16-year judicial battle that followed.
Discuss.
ReplyStarted on the first episode today (“911”). The Michael Peterson case was a huge scandal around here, and from the docuseries to the podcast and everything else, it’s such a well-worn story that’s so lurid and disgusting that it’s hard to watch fictionalized. However, I think it will be a major Emmy contender this month, so I had to at least see the premiere. It’s directed well by Antonio Campos. Feels very of the 2000s era without overdoing it too much with the production design or costumes, mostly a bunch of 9/11 & Bush references. Editing was all over the place with the time jumps, but maybe that franticness will right itself in the coming episodes. All of the extended family members were confusing to keep track of. I was extremely skeptical of Colin Firth’s casting, b/c he looks nothing like Peterson, for starters, and I wondered if he could bring life to such a seedy role like this that he’s never done before. Peterson’s so inscrutable in general, so I guess it works out. Strong accent work at first listen. Flat and nondescript “British style” that can be eye-rolling, but Peterson’s voice kind of lends itself to that versus a stereotypical Southern drawl. It looks like Toni Collette will get more to do than I previously thought, but we’ll see if her lead placement is justified. I’m bracing myself for what’s coming, with all the trial shenanigans, the documentary crew, the death reenactments, and that damn “owl theory” defense, ugh. But this looks extremely bingeable, so there’s that, at least.
ReplyCopy URLThrough episode 4 (“Common Sense”). Compulsively watchable and bingeable, which is a plus. The story is more lurid than I remember it from the docuseries. Many twists and turns throughout, but I question its rewatchable factor with audiences. It’s very “this happened, then this happened, and then…,” which is a staple in true crime series and procedurals in general, but the Emmys are another matter. The limited series doesn’t don’t seem to aim for anything grander or operatic scope in a “Mare of Easttown” sense. Maybe that earns itself points for knowing what it is and delivering the goods straightforwardly, but that’s left for the viewer to decide. Michael Peterson is such an indecipherable sleazeball, and that might hurt Colin Firth’s Emmy win chances. Who’s to say what the hell happened to poor Kathleen in the end? Multiple scenarios are being presented, and the real doozy explanation is forthcoming. Toni Collette’s borderline, but I guess lead placement is fine. She’s a continued presence for obvious reasons whether being onscreen or offscreen. The emergence of the documentary crew was done well. Parker Posey’s a lively presence, but she’s really hitting the Southern accent hard, even by her standards. Not a good first impression of Juliette Binoche either, which is really surprising. Brits, Americans, French, & Australians! There’s room for everyone apparently lol. I hope to see more of RoseMarie DeWitt in the coming episodes. More of Kathleen’s perspective through her family would be welcome moving forward, but now we have Michael’s appeal and retrial to deal with. Sigh.
ReplyCopy URLOMG, episode 6! They actually made a valid case for the owl theory. Wow. Having to see Kathleen die in THREE different and very gruesome ways is extremely gratuitous and distasteful. This woman suffered so horribly. Sad to think about. Toni Collette has more than put in the effort for an Emmy nomination this year, and in lead even.
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