‘The One About Matthew Perry’ Lands a Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score as Critics Embrace Netflix’s Tender Tribute
Nearly 3 years after the death of the beloved ‘Friends’ star, Netflix’s ‘The One About Matthew Perry’ has arrived with a rare level of critical goodwill. The 3-part docuseries premiered on October 27 and has quickly become one of the streamer’s most talked-about releases.
Directed by Mary Robertson, best known for ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’, the series is told through intimate testimonies from Perry’s close family and friends. It’s anchored by his younger sister, Mia Perry Bowick, who speaks about her brother on camera for the first time.
Now the reviews are in, and they’re glowing. ‘The One About Matthew Perry’ currently holds a perfect 100% average Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 11 reviews, while its Popcornmeter audience score has yet to appear.
The series has also struck a chord with viewers. It quickly climbed to the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 list, unseating popular titles like ‘Nobody Wants This’ and ‘FROM’. Variety described the series as a straightforwardly told and crushingly sad story of a man whose talent, humor and success weren’t enough to overcome a chronic disease.
The Daily Mirror’s Mark Jeffries praised its depth, arguing that it stands apart from celebrity documentaries that gloss over difficult moments. The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan also gave it a fresh rating, describing it at heart as a simple, sad story. Even some of the more measured reviews still landed on the positive side of the ledger.
Matthew Perry’s sister remembers him as “the most special person on the planet.” The One About Matthew Perry – an intimate documentary series – premieres tomorrow. https://t.co/cVBCH6ybVm
— Netflix (@netflix) October 26, 2026
Daniel Feinberg was among those with reservations. Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, he praised the wealth of great material but lamented that it’s too often “lost underneath so much less interesting stuff,” calling the series intimate and sincere but overly padded.
While the Tomatometer is perfect for now, the small sample size means the score could still shift. Some outlets have been less enthusiastic, with FandomWire calling it a heartfelt and occasionally moving tribute that ultimately fails to become the definitive portrait of Perry.
Matthew Perry’s sister and friends remember the generous, funny and larger than life man who rose to global superstardom — and share how the actor’s honesty became his greatest legacy. The One About Matthew Perry, an intimate documentary series, premieres October 27. https://t.co/WkQeiF8S3y
— Netflix (@netflix) September 29, 2026
That review did credit the series for drawing a compelling connection between Perry’s struggles with substance abuse and his later opioid addiction. The documentary traces that addiction back to an injury Perry sustained while filming ‘Fools Rush In’, during a jet ski stunt.
Critics have broadly noted that the documentary avoids a salacious approach to Perry’s death. Instead, it focuses on the man behind the role he played on ‘Friends’ from 1994 to 2004, including his humor, generosity, and lifelong battle with addiction.
Today marks 3 years since the talented Matthew Perry passed away. https://t.co/xH7xbOca9p
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 28, 2026
The series also highlights his advocacy, including the men’s sober-living facility he opened in 2013. Netflix describes the project as a raw record of a life lived in full, with honesty as his greatest legacy.
One recurring talking point in reviews is who doesn’t appear. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer did not sit for new interviews, though they appear in archival footage throughout.
Matthew Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, recalls heartbreaking moment involving his ‘Friends’ co-stars before his casket was laid to rest: “[T]he rest of the Friends cast all walked in together. I hadn’t seen them in easily 20 years […] All five of them walked up to the casket holding hands, and just stood around him, crying.”
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) October 28, 2026
Instead, the documentary leans on family, longtime friends, former partners and collaborators. Bowick’s emotional recollections, including memories of the cast’s final goodbye at Perry’s funeral, have become some of the series’ most widely discussed moments.
All 3 episodes of the TV-MA docuseries are now streaming on Netflix, running roughly 3 hours in total. The project is executive produced by Robertson, Lisa Kalikow, Eli Holzman, and Aaron Saidman.
With a perfect critics’ score and a top spot on the charts, ‘The One About Matthew Perry’ appears to be resonating with audiences who still hold the actor close. For many fans, it’s a chance to celebrate his life while understanding the battles he fought along the way.
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