Wednesday, September 30, 2026 300 stories · 2419 outlet reports compared

Netflix releases trailer for Matthew Perry documentary premiering in October

Netflix has released a trailer for 'The One About Matthew Perry,' a documentary about the late 'Friends' star, set to premiere on Oct. 27.

By The Lumen desk · Sept 30, 2026 · 1 min read
Share Save
From The Lumen
Your brand, here.Reach readers who see every side of the story.Advertise with us
What we know
1 Netflix released a trailer for 'The One About Matthew Perry,' a documentary about the late 'Friends' actor.
2 The documentary is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on Oct. 27.
3 The trailer and coverage reference a reported $7 million spent by Perry in pursuit of sobriety.
4 According to Independent Journal Review, Perry's sister Mia Perry Bowick discusses his loneliness and sobriety struggles in the trailer.
5 The film covers both Perry's rise to fame through 'Friends' and his struggles with addiction.

Netflix has unveiled a trailer for 'The One About Matthew Perry,' a documentary exploring the life and career of the late 'Friends' star, according to multiple outlets. The film is set to premiere on the streaming service on Oct. 27, per Variety.

From The Lumen · story continues below
Our mission
One story. Every side. You decide what to make of it.
Join free

The trailer includes reflections from Perry, delivered in voiceover, about the toll his fame took on him, according to Deadline. In the clip, Perry recalls saying, 'I said God, you can do anything you want to me just please make me famous.'

Several outlets reported that the documentary addresses Perry's struggle with addiction, including a detail that he spent $7 million trying to get sober. Independent Journal Review reported that this figure was cited by Perry's sister, Mia Perry Bowick, in the trailer, who also described the loneliness he struggled to overcome.

The documentary also features Perry's family discussing his experience, according to Rolling Stone, which described the film as covering his 'addiction battle.' UPI reported that the docuseries explores both the struggles and legacy of the 'Friends' star.

How each side covered it

Left

4 outlets
  • Rolling Stone and Variety reported Perry's family opening up about his addiction battle and the $7 million sobriety journey.
  • Outlets noted the documentary's Oct. 27 Netflix premiere date.
  • Variety described the trailer as chronicling Perry's experience with fame and its realities.

“‘The One About Matthew Perry,’ a Netflix documentary about the late “Friends” star is coming to the streamer on Oct. 27, and a trailer was revealed Tuesday ahead of its release.” — Variety

Center

2 outlets
  • Deadline quoted Perry's voiceover reflecting on wanting fame and its toll.
  • UPI framed the documentary as exploring both struggles and legacy of the 'Friends' star.

“In a voiceover early in the clip, Perry says, “I said God, you can do anything you want to me just please make me famous.”” — Deadline

Right

3 outlets
  • Independent Journal Review reported that Perry's sister Mia Perry Bowick discussed the $7 million spent on sobriety and his loneliness.
  • The Daily Caller referenced a description of the documentary as containing 'comedy and tragedy.'

“his sister Mia Perry Bowick says he spent $7 million trying to get sober and describes the loneliness he struggled to overcome” — Independent Journal Review

Questions readers ask

What is 'The One About Matthew Perry' about?

It is a Netflix documentary examining the late 'Friends' star Matthew Perry's career and his long struggle with addiction, including a reported $7 million spent trying to get sober.

When does the Matthew Perry documentary premiere?

According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, 'The One About Matthew Perry' premieres on Netflix on Oct. 27.

Who appears in the documentary discussing Perry's struggles?

Independent Journal Review reported that Perry's sister, Mia Perry Bowick, appears in the trailer discussing his sobriety journey and loneliness.

What did outlets across the political spectrum focus on in covering this trailer?

Left-leaning, center, and right-leaning outlets all focused on the documentary's exploration of Perry's fame and his addiction struggles, with several highlighting the reported $7 million spent on sobriety efforts.

Sources · 9 outlet reports

Advertise with The Lumen
Put your brand in front of readers who read to the end
Talk to us about placements. advertise@thelumen.io

More in Culture

All Culture ›

MacArthur Foundation names 20 recipients of 2026 'genius grant' fellowships

Sept 30, 2026 · Blindspot: Right

Critics review Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu's satire 'Digger'

Sept 30, 2026 · More from the left

GMA's Will Reeve reveals testicular cancer diagnosis and treatment

Sept 30, 2026 · More from the left