Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 28 critics' reviews are positive.[21] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 59 out of 100, based on 17 critic reviews, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[22]
Robert Lloyd of Los Angeles Times stated that The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox dramatizes the sensational case surrounding Amanda Knox with a mix of tension, style, and uneven storytelling. He found that the series captures the extreme pressures Knox faced, from prolonged interrogations and false confessions to public scrutiny and media sensationalism, while also highlighting the broader miscarriage of justice. Lloyd appreciated the performances, particularly Grace Van Patten and Francesco Acquaroli, noting how they brought depth and humanity to their roles. He praised the series' ambitious direction and inventive visual techniques, though he found some stylistic choices—like abrupt tonal shifts and varied narrative approaches—occasionally distracting.[23] Lucy Mangan of The Guardian said that The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox effectively traces Knox's journey from her arrest to eventual exoneration, illustrating how prejudices, media sensationalism, and prosecutorial missteps combined to create a miscarriage of justice. She appreciated the show's propulsive narrative and efforts to humanize certain figures, such as prosecutor Giuliano Mignini. Mangan praised Grace Van Patten's performance, highlighting her ability to capture the character's naivety, overconfidence, and emotional turmoil across both English and Italian dialogue. Although she noted some unevenness in the script and stylistic choices—particularly the mannered, Wes Anderson-lite openings—Mangan found that the series succeeds in conveying the intensity and human cost of Knox's ordeal.[24]
