Netflix’s upcoming documentary, Untold: The Liver King, set to premiere on May 13, explores the life of influencer Brian Johnson and his controversial ancestral living lifestyle, igniting diverse reactions from viewers following the trailer release.
Netflix’s latest documentary, Untold: The Liver King, set to premiere on May 13, has sparked significant reaction following the release of its trailer on April 22. The film is the newest entry in Netflix’s Untold Collection, a series dedicated to exploring compelling stories from the realms of sport and health.
Previous documentaries in the collection have covered diverse topics such as Caitlyn Jenner’s Olympic journey, the murder of NFL star Steve McNair, and the victory of an Australian yacht crew that ended America’s 132-year winning streak in a racing competition.
This latest instalment focuses on Brian Johnson, widely known as the “Liver King,” a social media influencer renowned for his promotion of “ancestral living.” His lifestyle, which includes intensive workouts and an unconventional raw meat diet extending to the consumption of animal testicles, earned him a substantial following online. Alongside this, he built a supplement empire, leveraging his physical appearance and unique dietary approach.
The documentary’s official synopsis states: “He built a supplement empire by devouring raw meat on social media. And he had the muscles to prove it. But really, how did the Liver King get so huge?”
Director Joe Pearlman spoke about his fascination with Johnson, saying he became “transfixed” after first encountering him and wanted to uncover more about the man behind the persona. In an interview with Netflix, Pearlman revealed, “The truth was even crazier than I could have possibly imagined.” He added, “We live in a time when someone can reach hundreds of millions of people without going through any kind of traditional gatekeeping… No background checks: just a phone and a guy. When shock and outrage get views, what are you willing, or even able, to keep doing to stay at the top of the algorithm?”
The trailer’s release has elicited mixed responses from viewers. Some expressed disappointment, with one commenter stating, “Netflix, this might be rock bottom for you,” and another expressing disdain: “I hate that Netflix gave him a platform. So sick.” Others reacted with amusement, one writing, “I was not expecting a Netflix special on the Liver King,” accompanied by laughing emojis. Another user joked about hoping for a documentary on other notable internet phenomena, asking, “We ever gonna get one of these documentaries about that Scottish Wonka fiasco?”
Untold: The Liver King will be available to stream globally on Netflix starting May 13, continuing the series’ trend of delving into unconventional and controversial figures within sports and health.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idi-wps8V5o – This URL links to the official trailer of Untold: The Liver King on Netflix, confirming the trailer release date of April 22 and showcasing the Liver King’s promotion of a raw meat diet and his muscular physique, as stated in the article.
- https://media.netflix.com/it/only-on-netflix/81725537 – This Netflix Media Center page provides the official documentary synopsis and details about the film Untold: The Liver King, including its focus on Brian Johnson’s rise to fame and supplement empire through ancestral living and raw meat consumption.
- https://theviewersperspective.com/2025/04/22/netflix-releases-official-trailer-for-untold-the-liver-king-premiering-may-13/ – This article confirms the documentary’s premiere date as May 13, 2025, its length (65 minutes), and director Joe Pearlman’s involvement, supporting information about the film’s exploration of the Liver King’s lifestyle and the steroid scandal.
- https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64822550/ – This IMDb news article corroborates that Joe Pearlman is the director of the Liver King documentary, produced by Bitachon 365 and Candle True Stories, and highlights the steroid scandal and Brian Johnson’s public apology, matching the article’s claims about controversy and backlash.
- https://www.thebiglead.com/netflix-drops-official-trailer-ridiculous-liver-king-documentary-coming-may – This Big Lead article discusses Netflix’s release of the Liver King documentary trailer and public reactions, reflecting the mixed responses and some negative viewer comments mentioned in the article.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references a documentary trailer released very recently on April 22 and a premiere date of May 13, 2025, indicating up-to-date content. There are no indications that it recycles older news or outdated information. The topic is timely given the imminent release.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes from director Joe Pearlman and viewer comments appear original and contextually tied to the recent trailer release. No exact earlier sources found for these quotes, suggesting they are original to this coverage or recent Netflix promotion interviews.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a regional UK news outlet (Get Surrey) that is moderately reputable but not globally renowned like Reuters or BBC. Thus, the reliability is medium-high though not top-tier. There is no indication that the information is inaccurate or fabricated.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The documentary’s focus on a known social media influencer and supplement entrepreneur matches known public information about ‘Liver King.’ The scheduling of a May 13 release fits Netflix’s typical promotional timelines. Viewer reactions and director comments are plausible and consistent with usual media coverage.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is timely and relevant, referencing recent promotional material and a near-future streaming date. Quotes are original and contextually sound. The source is moderately reliable with no red flags for misinformation. Overall, the story is plausible and well-supported by available evidence.
