The Staircase
2022
Original language: English
- drama
- crime
The story
An exploration of the life of Michael Peterson, his sprawling North Carolina family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson.
What it’s like
Muted, humid Southern interiors under overcast daylight, with the wood-panelled house and its stairwell photographed in flat, unforgiving light and long, watchful takes. Courtrooms and kitchens have the same sallow, fluorescent cast, and the camera often lingers on faces as people pause before answering. The score is sparse and restrained, so long stretches play in near silence, with the rustle of paper, car doors, and quiet arguments carrying the weight. The vibe is unsettled, morally murky, and slow-burning, closer to a documentary's detachment than to a thriller's rush, suited to a focused evening watch rather than background viewing. Pacing is deliberate, and the arc follows a sprawling family and a husband whose charm and certainty curdle into doubt, with no clean resolution. The intensity is moderate: a death is central and its aftermath is shown in clinical, restrained detail, with brief, non-gratuitous violence, some strong language, and tense, emotionally harsh confrontations. Best for viewers drawn to true crime who want ambiguity, careful performances, and a story told with patience rather than shock.
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