The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

This came unexpected. I was not expect to cry so much. A heartfelt documentary

Emotional. I think that’s the word that best describes this incredible and necessary documentary. I don’t usually watch documentaries, but I’m so glad I gave this one a chance. As a big fan of games, I spend countless hours playing and chatting with my virtual friends on Discord, so this documentary really struck a chord with me.

I related to so many moments and, honestly, couldn’t hold back my tears. Everything feels so real, and the gaming world is vast and extraordinary, serving as a refuge for many people. Personally, I used to be very antisocial and didn’t take good care of my health, but thanks to the friendships I made online, I started taking better care of myself and became more outgoing. It was through gaming that I met friends who still help me with various aspects of real life today.

I strongly recommend watching this documentary and sharing it. It beautifully highlights how massive and meaningful the gaming world is for so many people.

We’ve come a long way in regards to the idea of “online friends”, even in just the past five years or so. This doc is a great capper on that, as well as the power of gaming in general. I bawled for half of the movie.

Rating: 4.25* / 5* or 8.5 / 10

It was a good documentary, 8.5 seems like a good enough score for me, no more, no less.
I feel that it lasts long enough, it's not too short so there's room for the story to be explained well but not too long so that it feels like it's going on forever.

I think it does what it has to do very well, being a celebration of a person's life and the fact that everything has been perfectly documented with material from the family and from the game's files gives it a very genuine touch, it's not a representation of "how they think it happened" but of how things really happened. I think it was very good how they interviewed their friends and that they were able to tell how they lived it and how it helped them.

Last but not least, overall it's a very nice story, beyond the kind of life Mats had to lead it's a story that one can relate to, making friends from all over the world through video games and having those internet friends be real friends that can have an impact on your life even though they're not with you physically.

It’s rare to come across a film that manages to be both devastating and inspiring at the same time, but “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” pulls it off beautifully. Directed by Benjamin Ree, the documentary is a touching tribute to the life of Mats Steen, a young man who faced the brutal realities of Duchenne muscular dystrophy but found profound meaning and genuine connection in the digital world. Far from being just a story of sadness, this film celebrates the human ability to make an impact, even in the most limiting circumstances.

Ree opens the narrative in a visceral way, introducing Mats through family footage and interviews with his parents and sister. These early moments establish the emotional weight of the story, showing how Mats’ disease progressed, gradually stealing his mobility and independence. It’s painful but never exploitative. Ree avoids dwelling on the suffering just for the sake of it; instead, he uses it as a contrast to something much greater. This is where the documentary shifts gears and reveals its true heart: the life Mats built as Ibelin, his avatar in World of Warcraft.

The way the film explores Mats’ journey in the game is brilliant. It’s not just about a young man seeking escapism but about someone creating a version of himself that was truer and more powerful than his physical reality allowed. As Ibelin, Mats was a leader, a friend, a confidant. He helped people through crises, formed deep friendships, and left a legacy that transcended the digital realm. Ree uses in-game footage to illustrate these connections, blending them with text and voice recordings that highlight Mats’ impact. It’s a visual choice that immerses the viewer, pulling us into the same universe that gave Mats a new kind of freedom.

The documentary particularly shines in the interviews with those who knew Ibelin. Their stories are filled with emotion, ranging from friendships to personal triumphs influenced by Mats’ words and actions. There’s something incredibly moving about seeing how these digital connections resonated in the real world. One of the most touching moments involves a young woman whose relationship with her parents was transformed by a letter Mats wrote. He wasn’t just playing a game—he was building bridges, offering support, and inspiring others to be better.

However, the film doesn’t shy away from a certain sense of melancholy, especially when reflecting on the limited impact Mats had in the “physical world.” But it’s precisely this contrast that makes its message so powerful: Mats proved that our influence isn’t confined to our physical presence. His phrase, “Here, my chains are broken,” encapsulates the idea that we are so much more than our bodies.

Ree approaches the documentary with sensitivity, steering clear of overt emotional manipulation. There’s an honesty in his storytelling that makes the experience even more moving. He challenges us to rethink the barriers we place on digital interactions and how we often undervalue the connections made in virtual spaces. Mats used technology not just as an escape but as a tool to connect and positively influence other lives.

Overall, “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” isn’t just about Mats Steen’s life. It’s a reflection on how we choose to live our own lives. It’s a reminder that small acts of kindness—whether online or offline—can ripple out in ways we never imagined. Mats shows us that even under the most adverse conditions, it’s possible to create a lasting impact.

In fact, it is a documentary, like a movie. I think you'll like it. It is an emotional production, so action should not be expected. It's drama-heavy but gripping. Of course, it has to be said that it was somewhat manipulated. It's a slightly above average movie.. Good luck with your efforts

The documentary was Boring, dull, too long, there Is no history here, overrated, I am feel sorry about the familiy, but I am talking about the film,

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is a genuine and heartfelt documentary that will hit real for a fairly big generation of people that grew up and discovered themselves through the early days of WoW. I suspect a lot of people in those circles already knew of this story, but a much more ground level look at it is great.

The combinations of dual timeline storytelling worked really well, alongside the multiple narrative sources giving alternative insight along the way. Not to mention the awesome job they did with the ingame animation that was customised and improved for narrative effect.

There is a very emotional core of the movie, that even though the story is "finished" fairly early on, it still packs some punches that might hit home or might not but is very real regardless.

Some of the touched on guild and relationship drama will feel very real and probably give an unintended laugh for those you can relate or have experianced it within their own WoW experiance.

I already see this one is picking some awards buzz and I do hope it does get the love it deserves from the awards circuit towards the end of the year, but the doco's category is one that is fairly unpreditcable.

I have never been a fan of documentation films but this is just heartbreakingly good.