Emotional new Netflix doc set in World of Warcraft earns near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

As a gamer who’s seen my fair share of virtual worlds and the real-life stories behind them, I can wholeheartedly say that The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is a must-watch for anyone seeking an emotional journey into the heart of human resilience and connection.


A groundbreaking new documentary made with World of Warcraft-style animation has landed on Netflix, earning a whopping 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and sparking an emotional response from viewers. 

Netflix keeps releasing more true crime documentaries as Halloween approaches, with the most recent additions being “This is the Zodiac Speaking,” a gripping documentary about a serial killer, and “Woman of the Hour” starring Anna Kendrick.

If you’re searching for a deeply moving film that explores the human journey in an emotionally resonant way, I highly recommend giving “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” by Benjamin Ree a watch.

After scoring two awards at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, I’m thrilled to share that this incredible documentary is now streaming on Netflix US, starting from October 25. I can’t wait for fellow gamers and film enthusiasts alike to experience it!

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

In reality, Mats was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which caused him to progressively lose his capacity to move, walk, and interact with his surroundings over time.

Instead, let’s say that in the realm of World of Warcraft, he spent his days living an exciting life, forging bonds and creating a network of companions. Tragically, in 2014, he passed away at just 25 years old.

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

In the realm of my admiration, I was simply astounded by the outpouring of support and the online community our son had crafted. As Mats himself penned in a heartfelt blog post, “In that space, my disability fades into insignificance, my shackles are severed, and I am free to be whoever I choose. In there, I feel like everyone else.

Initially, Ree sparked the creation of “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” upon discovering quotes from Robert and Trude in a BBC article. Later, when he contacted them to acquire home videos featuring Mats, an unexpected surprise awaited him – he and his parents were featured in one of the clips.

In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, the filmmaker shared, “Though I’m not particularly religious, that moment came close to converting me. Mats’ parents and my parents were part of the same social circle in the late ’80s. Regrettably, when my parents moved to a different area of Norway, they fell out of touch.

In addition to using actual video, Ree enlisted animators to portray Mats’ online activities within World of Warcraft from 2004 to 2014.

Upon viewing the documentary, executives at Blizzard Entertainment, the company behind the game, were deeply touched and granted permission for the creators to continue with their plan of adopting an animation style.

Emotional new Netflix doc set in World of Warcraft earns near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

After debuting at the Sundance Film Festival and becoming available for streaming, The Extraordinary Life of Ibelin garnered an impressive 98% positive reviews from critics and a 89% favorable rating from viewers.

According to IndieWire, the movie powerfully demonstrates that there are multiple methods for engaging with the world, and it does so convincingly, showing great precision and strong emotional impact.

Despite your lack of gaming experience, you might find yourself moved to tears by the end due to the heartfelt delicacy and structure of this tale, as The Guardian commented.

In other places, RogerEbert.com stated, “This film is all about finding strength within ourselves, understanding others, and the significant influence we exert, even on people we’ve never encountered. Get ready for tears, but they will be worth it.

To those watching at home, one viewer commented, “Ree shares an engaging tale that explores themes of misinterpretation, dealing with hardship, growing up, experiencing love, and forming friendships.

This production is incredibly skillfully directed, acted, and overall well crafted,” commented someone else. “It was so moving that it brought me to tears. It’s the best movie or documentary I’ve ever seen, making it a must-watch!

Currently Streaming on Netflix: The Extraordinary Journey of Ibelin. For even more captivating documentaries, delve into HBO’s Daniel, Amanda Mustard’s Stunning Photograph, Charming Life, and the story of Jennifer Pandos. Additionally, explore other Netflix documentaries available for viewing now.

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2024-10-25 15:18