Netflix’s Mike Tyson documentary is a troubling, uneven portrait
A review of Netflix’s four-part series about Mike Tyson criticizes it as a one-sided and uncomfortable tribute. The documentary traces Tyson’s rise from poverty and juvenile detention to heavyweight fame, but also includes a puzzling appearance by Donald Trump and a closing scene involving DMT use. The reviewer calls the series strange, sometimes compelling, and irresponsible.
The four-part Netflix series follows Tyson from a Brooklyn childhood marked by poverty and theft through juvenile detention, where coach Bobby Stewart noticed him. Stewart introduced him to Cus D’Amato, who forecast a heavyweight title. Lennox Lewis describes their early sparring, and the review also notes Tyson’s professional ascent, D’Amato’s 1985 death, and his sudden fame.
The review highlights a puzzling Donald Trump appearance and a final scene in which Tyson uses DMT while weeping and asking the director to join. It also examines his marriage to Robin Givens and his rape conviction, both of which Tyson disputes.
The documentary may influence how audiences view Tyson and his accusers, potentially affecting survivors of domestic and sexual violence who see disputed allegations revisited. It could also fuel debate about streaming platforms’ responsibility when profiling controversial celebrities, especially given Netflix’s broad reach. Viewers may treat the series as entertainment while missing ethical concerns raised by the review.