Netflix documentarian focuses on Perry's circle of friends

Netflix released a three-part documentary titled The One About Matthew Perry on Tuesday. The project was directed by Mary Robertson, who previously helmed the series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. The series arrives weeks after Peacock released its own documentary focused on the criminal investigations surrounding Perry's death.

Robertson’s film distinguishes itself by excluding the surviving cast members of Friends. None of Perry’s co-stars appear in the footage. The only major industry figure included is Warren Littlefield, who served as NBC’s entertainment president when the sitcom aired. Jeff Strauss, a writer from the first season, also provides commentary. The absence of A-list celebrities shifts the narrative away from retrospective praise and toward personal recollection.

The series functions as an examination of addiction viewed from the outside of the celebrity bubble. It relies heavily on interviews with people who were not famous during Perry’s early years in Hollywood. Roger Castillo and David Pressman discuss their friendship with Perry during his time struggling as an actor. Their accounts provide a baseline for understanding his life before fame.

Mia Perry Bowick, Perry’s younger sister, serves as a central voice in the documentary. Born when Perry was 14, she grew up under the shadow of her brother’s career. Bowick became a psychotherapist, a decision she attributed to watching Perry’s decades of struggles with substance abuse. She recalls learning about his first rehab stint from a tabloid headline. She also describes the specific moments surrounding the day of his death.

The film features several ex-girlfriends who knew Perry intimately, including Rene Ashton and Rome. These women offer perspectives on his personal life without the added weight of their own public profiles. The documentary also highlights Tim Harrington, who met Perry in a recovery program and lived at his house for a year. West Huddleston, who worked with Perry on drug court advocacy campaigns, also appears.

Reviewers note that the series includes a substantial amount of archival footage that feels repetitive to audiences. Perry’s frequent appearances on talk shows are shown in segments that recap stories he told multiple times. The inclusion of general commentary on his talent from a cultural critic adds context but may feel unnecessary to viewers familiar with his work.

The structure of the series requires viewers to sit through familiar biographical details to reach the more intimate interviews. The running time allows for a broad overview, but critics suggest a tighter, feature-length cut would have removed the padding. The current format balances the well-known narrative of his success with the lesser-known details of his support network.

The documentary ends by focusing on the efforts of those who tried to help Perry. It highlights the difficulty of providing care to someone with a high profile and a complex history of addiction. The final scenes emphasize the personal toll on friends and family who remained close to him until his death.