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Netflix’s emotional new doc set in World of Warcraft gets a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes

Posted on by Bobb
Netflix’s emotional new doc set in World of Warcraft gets a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes

A groundbreaking new documentary using World of Warcraft-style animation has arrived on Netflix, earning a whopping 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and striking an emotional chord with viewers.

Netflix non-fiction content continues to release true crime releases in the lead-up to Halloween, the latest being a docuseries about serial killers. This is the Zodiac speaking and the masterful craftsmanship of Anna Kendrick Woman of the hour.

However, if you’re looking for a more emotional, moving film about the human experience, Benjamin Rea’s The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is worth your time.

After premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it won two awards, the film new documentary arrived on Netflix in the US today (October 25).

The story centers on Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer who has spent countless hours playing World of Warcraft as his Thor-like character, Lord Ibelin Redmoore.

In real life, Mats was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and over the years gradually lost the ability to move, walk, and interact with the world around him.

However, in World of Warcrafthe lived an adventurous life, making friends and a community of peers. He died in 2014 at the age of 25.

His parents, Robert and Trud, had no idea about their son’s online life. After his passing, they found the password to his blog and shared the news with his friends, unaware of how big an influence Mats had made.

They were overwhelmed by the response and the online community their son had created. As Mats himself wrote on his blog: “Then my handicap doesn’t matter, my chains are broken and I can be whatever I want. I feel fine there.”

Rea began developing The Remarkable Life of Ibelin after reading quotes from Robert and Trude in a BBC article, and when he approached them about taking home footage of Mats, he was shocked to find himself and his parents in the video.

Director said Netflix’s Tudum: “I’m not a religious person, but at that moment I almost became religious. Mats’s parents and my parents were in the same group of friends in the late 80s. When my parents moved to another part of Norway, they unfortunately lost contact.”

In addition to the actual footage, Rea hired animators to depict Mats’ online life in World of Warcraft between 2004 and 2014.

When they asked permission to use this style of animation, executives at the game’s developer, Blizzard Entertainment, were “visibly moved” by the documentary and allowed the creators to continue.

Portrayal of Ibelin in The Wonderful Life of IbelinNetflix

Mats created a whole world for himself in the game as Ibelin.

After the premiere at the Sundance Festival and streaming The release of “The Wonderful Life of Ibelin” received respectively 98% and 89% from both critics and audiences.

IndieWire said“The film is determined to prove that people can meaningfully interact with the world in any number of ways, now more than ever, and it achieves this goal with real clarity and rare emotional power.”

“Laugh all you want, you non-players, because by the end it’s almost impossible not to tear up at the touching subtlety and form of this story.” added Guardian.

Elsewhere, RogerEbert.com. commented“It’s about empowerment, empathy and the impact we can have on each other, even those we never meet. You will cry. It’s worth the tears.”

Regarding spectators at home, one wrote: “Ree tells us a gripping story of misunderstanding, overcoming tragedy, growing up, falling in love and making friends.”

“Surprisingly well directed, acted and overall well made,” added another. “Tears came to my eyes. Best movie/documentary I’ve seen and definitely worth watching!”

The Wonderful Life of Ibelin is currently streaming on Netflix. For more convincing documentation, read about Daniel from HBOAmanda Mustard Great photo, great lifeAnd what happened to Jennifer Pandos. You can also see others Netflix Documentaries You Should Watch Right Now.