Netflix Viewers Are Warning About A New Documentary That Will Make You Cry

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As someone who has seen their fair share of documentaries, I can confidently say that “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” is a tear-jerker like no other. Having spent a significant chunk of my youth immersed in the digital world myself, this film struck a chord with me on a deeply personal level.

Many excellent documentaries available on Netflix often evoke strong emotions in the audience. While it’s true that some of the platform’s popular true crime series and unsettling documentaries may be more effective at scaring viewers rather than making them feel sad, this doesn’t exclude Netflix docs from being able to bring their viewers to tears as well.

On October 25, Netflix released a documentary titled “The Extraordinary Life of Ibelin,” and since then, many who have watched it are left wondering who’s cutting onions in the room due to its emotional impact. Let us delve into this captivating film and uncover why its video game-inspired narrative has been reducing viewers to tears.

What is The Remarkable Life of Ibelin about and is it a true story?

The book titled “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” chronicles the authentic tale of Mats Steen, a young Norwegian who garnered global recognition five years after his death in 2019 at the age of 25. Born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition that restricted his mobility and worsened as he aged, leaving him confined to a wheelchair. Despite living a seemingly isolated life within a basement apartment constructed on his parents’ property, Steen spent countless hours playing the online game “World of Warcraft” under the character name Lord Ibelin Redmoore. Unbeknownst to his family, this virtual world was filled with people who adored him deeply. After his passing, there were global tributes paid to him, and some members of his “WoW” guild even attended his funeral in person.

In “The Extraordinary Life of Ibelin,” it is immediately clear that Steen led a double life, one in reality and one within an MMORPG called “World of Warcraft.” This documentary delves deeply into both aspects of his life, painting a poignant picture. Through interviews, Steen’s personal writings, family videos, and animated sequences depicting his in-game interactions, we learn that playing this game allowed Steen to engage in social activities that his condition ordinarily would have prevented. Inside the game, Steen was admired and well-liked by a large group of friends, and his guild community provided extensive documentation about Steen’s life as Ibelin, amounting to 42,000 pages.

Critics love Netflix’s Life of Ibelin

Critics universally praise “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” as truly exceptional. Notably, it boasts a nearly flawless Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score of 98%, suggesting that it could potentially rank among the greatest documentaries ever made in the not-too-distant future. Furthermore, the film’s emotional impact is undeniably acknowledged by critics.

1) Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com expressed that it revolves around empowerment, empathy, and influencing others, even those unknown to us. He implied it will make you cry, but it’s worth the tears.

The documentary “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” has garnered plenty of positive feedback since its release. Despite being newly available for streaming, it has been a major success on film festivals worldwide. At the 2024 Sundance Film Festival alone, it won two awards and was also named best audience film at Norway’s Tromsø International Film Festival, with additional accolades from various international events. Furthermore, it has received numerous nominations as well.

Viewers on social media reveal why Netflix’s new doc is making them sob

Many people who once used Twitter are expressing their emotional responses to “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin,” mirroring the feelings expressed by critics. The documentary has deeply affected its audience.

@Seabass_gregory expressed that his crying over the documentary wasn’t just ordinary tears, but rather a profound and ugly cry. He explained that anyone who has formed friendships through the internet would understand the depth of emotion this evoked. @mk_tbone shared that they too cried throughout most of the film, acknowledging that Mats Steen’s story touched many lives through World of Warcraft and will continue to do so through this documentary. Other Twitter users like @TorkieTweets, @BillyMiles1, and Arin Goldsmith from Blizzard Entertainment shared heartfelt images as their response to the film.

Beyond the emotional responses from viewers, social media has also highlighted a heartwarming aspect to the story as users such as @faunfetti and Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture have shared touching online tributes dedicated to Steen. Following the release of the document, numerous “World of Warcraft” players congregated at Ibelin’s in-game memorial stone to pay their respects to their deceased comrade and fellow gamer by lighting candles.

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2024-11-05 22:00