‘Devastating' World of Warcraft film has viewers ‘crying entire way through'
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin has left audiences reaching for the tissues, boasting an impressive 97 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Norwegian documentary, directed by Benjamin Ree and originally titled Ibelin, made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024, scooping up two major awards in the World Documentary Competition: the Audience Award and the Directing Award.
The film tells the touching story of Mats Steen, a Norwegian man born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a particularly severe form of inherited muscular dystrophies. As his condition progressed, Mats found solace in video games, especially World of Warcraft, and even started a blog discussing his life with the disease.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin delves into Mats' experiences within the World of Warcraft guild Starlight, highlighting the profound influence online gaming communities can have.
Critics have been deeply affected by the film's emotional depth, with one saying: "I was completely unprepared for how moving it was really going to be."
Another critic added: "It's poignant and moving and surprisingly had me in tears, I was instantly connected to the subject of the doc and completely fascinated by this story.", reports Surrey Live.
The film received widespread acclaim from critics, with one reviewer hailing it as "a powerful, life-affirming work" and another praising it as "Ibelin is a special film". A further critic noted: "Each movement of the film opens up a new world, and each is affecting in its own way."
The documentary's thoughtful approach was also commended, with one reviewer saying: "Told with a sensitivity that's matched by its subtlety, it earns the waterworks it quickly and consistently elicits."
The audience's response mirrored the critics', with one viewer adding: "As a gaming sceptic this movie came as a complete surprise. So insightful and a complete eye-opener. Takes you on an emotional rollercoaster."
One viewer described the film as "devastating, in the best possible way", while another confessed to having "cried almost the entire way through this."
Another audience member echoed the sentiment, saying: "Every once in a while a remarkable human story finds its way onto the big screen. This is one of those films. It is a deeply moving story that shows the deep connections that we all make - even through fictional environments."
The emotional impact of the film was a recurring theme, with many viewers and critics alike praising its ability to move and inspire.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is streaming on Netflix now.
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