Murder Mountain is, ultimately, an in-depth look at a family trying to seek justice for a murdered loved one in an area that has been defined by its "lawlessness" for generations due to the large amount of illegal cannabis grows once found there. Humboldt County, California is known for its "Emerald Triangle", where most of the illegal cannabis in the U.S.A. used to be grown and has gone through intense upheaval due to the legalization of cannabis in California (everybody wants a piece of the monetary pie). Lurking behind the cannabis industry, legal or illegal, are the sobering statistics regarding the amount of missing people in the region, the number of unsolved murders, and other crime stats this documentary didn't delve into, and a Sheriff's Office that's more intent on the cannabis industry than anything else (they'll say it's because illegal grows are the root of all evil, however, taxation and money appear to have a lot more influence on their actions than the causation of crime). The documentary, also, exposes what happens when a way of life is obliterated in the name of progress.
57 Reviews
Really good
kflash11113 January 2019
This doc captures not only the true crime facet, but also the problems with black and white market marijuana farming in California, which is proving to be the testing ground for the rest of the country. Ten stars all the way- was hooked from the opening scene.
Interesting Doc Series on Murder, Crime and war on Weed
elle-358463 January 2019
Yes it was a little slow... but the beauty and disparity shown in Northern California make for an interesting backdrop and amazing film. Add in a true crisis (the black market history of pot) and some shady deep woods people and you have yourself an intriguing series that captures something I have never seen before.
Interesting subject but bloated with scene repetitions.
rokuhpr18 June 2019
I really enjoyed the subject matter and would have given this a 9 or 10 had it been only 3 episodes long.
It looks like someone had a drone and spend a day or so flying over some beautiful scenery. Those scenes get boring after you see them 3, 4, 5... times. The same is true of the reenactments. How many times did we need to see the shooting reenactment? I lost count at 6.
The numbers and finances were eye opening. A little more time spent there, even 5 minutes, would have helped explain the draw to this lifestyle.
How are these people surviving? Do any of them pay property tax? Do they all get welfare/public assistance/social security checks?
And does anyone there know the past tense of see is "saw." ;-) The show is definitely worth watching but feel free to watch while doing something else.
And does anyone there know the past tense of see is "saw." ;-) The show is definitely worth watching but feel free to watch while doing something else.
Not a good look
bingobongbangotango2 January 2019
A story of murder, guns, drugs, corruption, vigilantism, poverty, greed and idealism. As unsatisfying the results of the main case in this documentary are, the future gets an equally bleak outlook for the county from the film makers. A bad look for the cannabis industry too. I'm glad I watched the whole thing because the first 2 or so episodes had me asking if this was a Reefer Madness 2.0 type of thing. It isn't but it really doesn't take a positive view. But one of the things that really stood out was the incompetent and overwhelmed police. The enforcement at the end highlights how broken everything is.
Where is all the murder?
PsychoBeard66610 April 2020
Not up to Netflix's recent high standards...
brian-wernham-396-8656226 January 2019
Overlong with much repetition and some reconstructions in poor taste.
However the subject is very interesting in itself especially the failure of the war on drugs (and how close it was to really being a war in Humboldt county) and the success (apparently) of legalization...
However the subject is very interesting in itself especially the failure of the war on drugs (and how close it was to really being a war in Humboldt county) and the success (apparently) of legalization...
Haunting.
marci-4829 December 2018
I am lived, very close to Alderpoint from 1979 to 1985. This documentary is so accurate, and so haunting, I can't stop thinking about it. It really hits the nail on the head for where Humboldt County came from and where it went into the 80s and 90s. It was paradise when we first moved there it was a war zone when we finally left.
Herbal Hypocrisy
timcurryisgod12 March 2021
This was kind of interesting, BUT. . .
It's so amazing/ disturbing to see people who were living there, in Humboldt County, people who had moved there precisely to take advantage of being black market marijuana growers- and especially those who moved there in the 1990's or later- decry the eventual legalization of marijuana (in California where this takes place), and at the same exact time relate their stories as if they are some kind of heroes, as if they were interested at all in people, improving things, etc. These growers were practicing abhorrent labor practices, taking advantage of workers, and making absolute bank, tax-free, with little labor cost, charging exorbitant prices for their product. . . like hello, look in the mirror. . . . . .the problem was YOU. You weren't doing a "good thing;" you were taking advantage of a situation that required violence, extortion, labor abuse, even kidnapping and murders.
This is a really good expose of how disgusting capitalism is. If you can stand to listen to the greedy, delusional, mean growers (there may have been some nice ones; but they, too, were taking advantage) and their families wax sentimental and poetic (vom!) about their disappointment in not being able to carry on their criminal enterprise that was making them lots of money, but once legalized, they couldn't get black market prices anymore and that made them so unhappy. Just wow.
Kind of difficult to watch the delusion and hypocrisy, over and over and over, as the growers interviewed tell their stories.
This is a really good expose of how disgusting capitalism is. If you can stand to listen to the greedy, delusional, mean growers (there may have been some nice ones; but they, too, were taking advantage) and their families wax sentimental and poetic (vom!) about their disappointment in not being able to carry on their criminal enterprise that was making them lots of money, but once legalized, they couldn't get black market prices anymore and that made them so unhappy. Just wow.
Kind of difficult to watch the delusion and hypocrisy, over and over and over, as the growers interviewed tell their stories.
Interesting insightful look at the dawn of the end of Prohibition in USA
chrislawuk30 December 2018
Great crime documentary series. Ive been getting into my true crime tv series lately and really thought this one was a cut above. Its really interesting cause I would say the series has real historical value, its one of the 1st I have seen about the end of prohibition of cannabis in USA which is huge political turning point. Other things I thought gave a unique perspective was the USAs police and how they deal with crimes when its criminal on criminal. Can they really state that every person has the same rights of protection under law? I dont think that this is unique to the USA however and the whole industrialised world adopts this strategy. A crime isnt a crime, its who it is commited against more often than not that counts.
On top of that its an interesting insight into the criminal underbelly of US cannabis growers, its a story deserved of a mini series. 30 min to 1hr just dont do a true crime justice and you really need a good few hrs to absorb in the characters and the settings
Incoherent
WhyFli18 June 2022
I'd go there!
brigitteisveryspecial12 January 2019
I was drawn into this show right away during the opening narrative. I had just turned it on, on a whim, and was only prepared to give it a few minutes. I thought it was going to be a marijuana show, and I didn't think that beyond sensationalism that it would have substance. But I give it really high points because it was paced wonderfully. The weaving of the father's story, the history of the town and the marijuana farmers were all laid out so thoughtfully, that my interest was kept the entire time and I ended up binge watching it.
I really hope they do a second season! I want to revisit the farmers, and maybe investigate another missing persons.
Good series
reneereives10 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Thought this was overall a good documentary. Definitely highlighted somethings I thought were eliminated by legalization and opened my eyes to the craziness up in Humboldt County. Sad to see they didn't have a follow up on the alleged murderer and the disappearance of Asha. Also a little annoyed by them jumping back and forth, but then I realized it would tie into modern times. Still wish it was a little more fluid. Definitely recommend it though.
Pretty bad inconsistent documentary
scottyent24 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
As others have said, this went way too long and became rather boring. They could have cut off the last 2-3 episodes and it would have been just as interesting. My biggest gripe with this show was the extremely frustrating inconsistencies:
Murder mountain is a lawless outlaw place where they make their own law and violent murders happen regularly ---> Garrett gets murdered and it shakes the community, so they beg and complain about law enforcement not helping. What?
They are the pioneers of weed growing, supply majority of the weed in the US market, and there are people flocking there to make buckets of money ---> legalization comes along and none of them can afford any of the permitting fees and testing fees. Boo hoo it's putting farms out of business (farms that haven't paid taxes in potentially decades). Where did the money go? Didn't want to use it to pay taxes? Why are all these people living like poor people in the first place if this was such a thriving black market?
Aside from those, the show just did a horrible job outlining any of the details or really telling a coherent story. If I were to piece the chaotic story they told together, the Alderpoint 8 got the body and confession, the alleged killer went to the hospital where he was questioned about his wounds, then he disappeared never to be seen again. Half the time the documentary spent implying the police didn't do anything (meanwhile the guy was gone and couldn't be found), and half the time it kept suggesting he could maybe at some point be convicted by evidence (despite again, being gone).
They also did a just horrible job at really explaining anything about the actual community/economy there. Are there 15 farmers? Are there 1500? Is there a town of non weed growers that wants nothing to do with the weed growers? Do they really make a lot of money? I still don't know after watching this.
Overall it started off painting these people as violent outlaws, then expected shock that someone was murdered (on "murder mountain") then hoped for sympathy for small farms that couldn't afford to go legal (after many years being illegal). It just felt like a jumble of story lines with zero consistent narrative and frankly at the end of the day, these people were doing shady illegal things and they knew it. Now it's becoming legal and some want to resist it, but overall it's improving the safety of the community. Great. Did you need 6 hours to say that?
Murder mountain is a lawless outlaw place where they make their own law and violent murders happen regularly ---> Garrett gets murdered and it shakes the community, so they beg and complain about law enforcement not helping. What?
They are the pioneers of weed growing, supply majority of the weed in the US market, and there are people flocking there to make buckets of money ---> legalization comes along and none of them can afford any of the permitting fees and testing fees. Boo hoo it's putting farms out of business (farms that haven't paid taxes in potentially decades). Where did the money go? Didn't want to use it to pay taxes? Why are all these people living like poor people in the first place if this was such a thriving black market?
Aside from those, the show just did a horrible job outlining any of the details or really telling a coherent story. If I were to piece the chaotic story they told together, the Alderpoint 8 got the body and confession, the alleged killer went to the hospital where he was questioned about his wounds, then he disappeared never to be seen again. Half the time the documentary spent implying the police didn't do anything (meanwhile the guy was gone and couldn't be found), and half the time it kept suggesting he could maybe at some point be convicted by evidence (despite again, being gone).
They also did a just horrible job at really explaining anything about the actual community/economy there. Are there 15 farmers? Are there 1500? Is there a town of non weed growers that wants nothing to do with the weed growers? Do they really make a lot of money? I still don't know after watching this.
Overall it started off painting these people as violent outlaws, then expected shock that someone was murdered (on "murder mountain") then hoped for sympathy for small farms that couldn't afford to go legal (after many years being illegal). It just felt like a jumble of story lines with zero consistent narrative and frankly at the end of the day, these people were doing shady illegal things and they knew it. Now it's becoming legal and some want to resist it, but overall it's improving the safety of the community. Great. Did you need 6 hours to say that?
Seriously the most slow and boring documentary I have ever seen
big_kmc10 November 2019
My god this thing drags on. I couldn't watch anymore after 3 episodes which were three episodes too many. There is nothing I love more than a good documentary but this was just horribly pointless. I mean slow just for the sake of being slow. How could something named murder mountain be so boring and hard to connect to? Over-rated probably by stoners how have some connection to the locale.
Interesting and entertaining
louissouthpaw2 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
An aspiring drug kingpin is murdered by another drug dealer and the criminal underworld is upset the police did not make the case their top priority. I was constantly entertained at the audacity of these lowlives in demonizing the local sheriff. The action intensifies as a posse of vigilante scumbag druggies coerce a confession from the killer at gunpoint after shooting him three times. Then they feel as if this confession should be enough for decisive action against the alleged (it's not). The talented director somehow manages to turn turds into heroes which is quite a feat. I give this gem seven stars as a solid piece of anti-cop anti-establishment propaganda.
Very well done, love the scenery/cinematography
TheUserIDYouEnteredHasAlready20 February 2019
* I really loved the scenery and cinematography, especially the drone shots from high above Humboldt County.
* Did a very good job of toe-ing the line between actual footage and re-enactments.
* I appreciate that Murder Mountain tells virtually every side of the story, and that it starts from the beginning, with the OGs, working its way into the present. It's a complex situation and the story touches on: crime, taxation, libertarianism, law enforcement (competent and incompetent), prison, technology, regulation, history, etc.
* I am getting sick of having to add a disclaimer like this to most of my reviews, but as with most IMDB entries, this one is being dragged down by unrealistic and overly negative 1- and 3- star reviews. I 100% disagree that the full scope and nuance of the situation could have been covered in one movie. Besides, what if I don't want to sit around and watch a 2-hour movie, but really enjoy being able to spread my viewing experience out over several days (or binge-watch all at once)? I really wish IMDB would implement some standards when it comes to excessively positive OR excessively negative reviews, as they really ruin the average in a lot of cases.
* Did a very good job of toe-ing the line between actual footage and re-enactments.
* I appreciate that Murder Mountain tells virtually every side of the story, and that it starts from the beginning, with the OGs, working its way into the present. It's a complex situation and the story touches on: crime, taxation, libertarianism, law enforcement (competent and incompetent), prison, technology, regulation, history, etc.
* I am getting sick of having to add a disclaimer like this to most of my reviews, but as with most IMDB entries, this one is being dragged down by unrealistic and overly negative 1- and 3- star reviews. I 100% disagree that the full scope and nuance of the situation could have been covered in one movie. Besides, what if I don't want to sit around and watch a 2-hour movie, but really enjoy being able to spread my viewing experience out over several days (or binge-watch all at once)? I really wish IMDB would implement some standards when it comes to excessively positive OR excessively negative reviews, as they really ruin the average in a lot of cases.
Engaging documentary about California Marijuana Industry
uwkram-020377 February 2019
I thought this was going to be a murder mystery documentary but turned out to be more about marijuana in California. I burst out laughing when the growers complained about all the regulatory fees and studies they had to go through to be a legal business. That's the price you pay to live in a California pot growing utopia. As a business owner in California, I sure can commiserate.
You cant make this stuff up
mls418231 March 2021
Boring and tedious
qeis_king27 July 2020
It's like West Virginia moved into Northen California
knifemagnet31 December 2018
As a vet I used to wonder why we spend billions of tax money to occupy nations that have done nothing to us while we have cartels on our southern border spilling over on our soil, so far as to have some areas displaying signs by the government dissuading people to go into them. After watching some of Murder Mountain I now also think there should be a countdown given to the growers there after which shock and awe would befall those that want to remain "outlaws". Further, it's a travesty that these people are taking a beautiful natural environment and turning it into something that would give the most inbred redneck areas a run for their money. It's utterly numbing that more people disappear there than anywhere in the state - and the county has a total population under 140,000. If the FBI has not begun to take this on, along with possibly other alphabet agencies, that is another factor in this story that just doesn't make any sense.
At the end of the day I don't oppose marijuana, and think all drugs should be legal, because the declaration of a silly war on drugs has never thwarted people seeking them out. But the greed and lack of accountability in Humboldt, and the fact that police are escorted by armed nobodies working for growers, coupled with the intense competition, the clinging to some sort of "outlaw" nonsensical motto, and the number of people that have vanished or ended up dead, it's high time the feds come in. And if the feds can't clean up a part of our nation perhaps it's time for our military to once again burn some crops; military cannot act as law enforcement, but while they burn crops of those that fail to become legal, other can make busy with arrests. The amount of weight that could come down on these people is immense, from loss of investment, loss of the ability to recover, arrest, and not to mention the IRS. As it stands, in my book, Humboldt is a cancerous growth as far as the state is concerned.
At the end of the day I don't oppose marijuana, and think all drugs should be legal, because the declaration of a silly war on drugs has never thwarted people seeking them out. But the greed and lack of accountability in Humboldt, and the fact that police are escorted by armed nobodies working for growers, coupled with the intense competition, the clinging to some sort of "outlaw" nonsensical motto, and the number of people that have vanished or ended up dead, it's high time the feds come in. And if the feds can't clean up a part of our nation perhaps it's time for our military to once again burn some crops; military cannot act as law enforcement, but while they burn crops of those that fail to become legal, other can make busy with arrests. The amount of weight that could come down on these people is immense, from loss of investment, loss of the ability to recover, arrest, and not to mention the IRS. As it stands, in my book, Humboldt is a cancerous growth as far as the state is concerned.
The evolution of the pot industry
koofasa8 May 2021
This documentary does a great job showing how California's pot industry went from being artistic expression to big business. The artists who once cultivated the world's best weed have been sidelined for the big business that took over after legalization. The legalization movement was done once big business was ready to come in and commoditize marijuana. Small farmers have been shut down and now California has a short list of average strains that never impress an old pot smoker like me. I voted against legalization because I saw this coming. It is sad to see the California farmers put out of business by over regulation. Good documentary that I almost didn't watch because the name was off putting.
Then there's the story that drives this miniseries about how inept and corrupt the police are in this part of California. That elevates the story and kept me captivated. Why would the police fail to prosecute a murder when there's a body and a confession that 8 people witnessed? The FBI also pretended to look at the murder and blew off the victim's family. While the police are a necessary evil they are also just as corrupt and lazy and the criminals they investigate or pretend to investigate. A real eye-opener.
Then there's the story that drives this miniseries about how inept and corrupt the police are in this part of California. That elevates the story and kept me captivated. Why would the police fail to prosecute a murder when there's a body and a confession that 8 people witnessed? The FBI also pretended to look at the murder and blew off the victim's family. While the police are a necessary evil they are also just as corrupt and lazy and the criminals they investigate or pretend to investigate. A real eye-opener.
Utopians and Libertarians Take Note
Erik-Movie-Reviews4 November 2020
Interesting Documentary about what life would be like with out Government or Law Enforcement. Not surprisingly, not much singing, dancing, and cooperation, mostly murders, mayhem, and animalistic behavior.
The Documentary was an interesting look into the California Marijuana Industry and how it has evolved overtime. The Documentary did not glamorize this lifestyle at all and ironically clearly demonstrated how legalization has driven many small growers out of business.
The main murder investigated in the Documentary still remains a mystery. Not so much about who was killed or by whom, more along the lines of why the Humboldt County Sheriffs Department has not been investigated by both the State of California and Federal authorities. It would be nice to believe the failure to investigate these murders and pursue criminals is due merely to incompetence and cowardice, but by the end of the Documentary the viewer is left very uncertain.
The Documentary was an interesting look into the California Marijuana Industry and how it has evolved overtime. The Documentary did not glamorize this lifestyle at all and ironically clearly demonstrated how legalization has driven many small growers out of business.
The main murder investigated in the Documentary still remains a mystery. Not so much about who was killed or by whom, more along the lines of why the Humboldt County Sheriffs Department has not been investigated by both the State of California and Federal authorities. It would be nice to believe the failure to investigate these murders and pursue criminals is due merely to incompetence and cowardice, but by the end of the Documentary the viewer is left very uncertain.
The series started so well. Murder Mountain aptly named due to the hundreds of people who have disappeared in the region
James_Denton15 May 2021
Murder Mountain - a series title that intrigues the mind leading to viewers, like myself, wanting to see what it's about.
The series starts off well and in the main is very interesting. I knew nothing about Humboldt County, nor its marijuana history and growth, let alone its darker side.
However, there are a handful of issues I had with the series:
The Murder Mountain (2018) isn't one of Netflix's best. The main problem was summed up one of the residents in the region, John Reilly, a Vietnam veteran who has lived in Humboldt County years: 'You will be lucky to get the truth from people here' and that sums it up. We don't learn/know what the truth is as the characters, including John Reilly, keep changing their stories and don't work with the police, who appear equally uninterested.
4/10 - There are better documentaries around, give this a miss.
The series starts off well and in the main is very interesting. I knew nothing about Humboldt County, nor its marijuana history and growth, let alone its darker side.
However, there are a handful of issues I had with the series:
- We learn approximately 250 people have disappeared since 1975. What we don't learn is: a) Are these people still missing? B) How many were declared missing that have now been found alive and well? C) How long was a person missing before they were declared 'missing'? It could be that of these 250 missing, 248 turned up safe and well within a few days
- Although important to the story there is too much focus on the marijuana farmers and it's history. It simply isn't interesting
- The series should have focussed on more on existing missing cases. I.e. Who the missing were/are and what led them to Murder Mountain
The Murder Mountain (2018) isn't one of Netflix's best. The main problem was summed up one of the residents in the region, John Reilly, a Vietnam veteran who has lived in Humboldt County years: 'You will be lucky to get the truth from people here' and that sums it up. We don't learn/know what the truth is as the characters, including John Reilly, keep changing their stories and don't work with the police, who appear equally uninterested.
4/10 - There are better documentaries around, give this a miss.
Not just a Mamas n Papas song
plowflow1 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER ALERT
I am only beginning the series now but,
this program immediately sparked my interest. It exemplifies how nothing is ever what it seems. This mountain has lots to see, both good and bad in ways you come to realizations of this world. Living the dream or, are you?! One can argue the different truth(s) surrounding of the series but the many unknowns opens viewers to the more subtle aspects of this world.
See also
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