Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy traces the actor’s final year and the investigation after his death but focuses more on procedure than legacy. While emotional for fans, the documentary feels rushed and falls short of honouring the man behind Chandler Bing
Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry’s untimely death in 2023 sent shockwaves across the world. For millions, he wasn’t just a television star, he was Chandler Bing, a character who had quietly become a companion through laughter, heartbreak, and everyday life. Across ten seasons of Friends, Perry built a fan base so vast that it stretched far beyond borders and generations, including people he would likely never meet. Even decades after the show first aired in the 1990s, its warmth and humour continue to resonate.
On October 28, 2023, Perry was found dead in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home. The news spread rapidly, followed by an outpouring of grief. Fans gathered outside the iconic Friends apartment building, leaving flowers and handwritten notes that read, “The one where we lost a friend.” It was a rare moment when people of all ages mourned someone they had never known personally, yet felt deeply connected to.
What the documentary traces?
Two years after his passing, Warner Bros released Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy, a one-hour documentary that traces the final year of the actor’s life and the days leading up to his death. Perry’s long and public battle with alcohol and drug addiction was no secret. He had spoken candidly about it in interviews and chronicled it in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Tragically, that “big terrible thing” ultimately claimed his life.
The documentary attempts to cover Perry’s childhood, his rise to fame, years of addiction, and the investigation that followed his death. However, much of it feels hurried, as though racing against time. Instead of lingering on Perry’s legacy or inner world, the film largely centres on the investigation and the ketamine network that allegedly supplied the actor.
Diving into the ketamine racket
The narrative is driven by interviews with a journalist, investigating officers, and Perry’s attorney, piecing together events after his death and naming individuals accused of illegally administering ketamine. While the documentary repeatedly reminds viewers that the case is still under trial and conclusions are yet to be reached, its tone often feels surprisingly definitive.
A significant portion of the film explains the dangers of ketamine, how Perry gained access to it, and how he became dependent on the drug during a period when he was reportedly trying to recover. As Perry himself once revealed in his 2022 autobiography, his appearance mirrored his addictions — when Chandler looked heavier, Perry was drinking; when he was thinner, he was using pills. There was almost always something. A year after the memoir’s release, Perry was found dead at 54, having suffered acute effects of ketamine use.
What works?
The documentary also broadens its scope, with officers explaining police procedures and the district attorney outlining a network of ketamine suppliers in Los Angeles capable of catering to celebrities. It even references the death of Cody McLaury, reportedly linked to the same suspects, while acknowledging that Perry’s fame may have accelerated the investigation.
Is it worth a watch?
It's definitely a watch for fans of the actor. Perry was vocal about his struggle with addiction so that he can help people who are suffering like him. In parts, the documentary serves as commentary on the fatal effects of drug consumption and how easy it is to get hooked to it. But it is more an investigative procedural than emotional tribute to a man who will be rememberd for his work on screen and the joy he brought to millions of people. For those seeking to truly understand Perry — his humour, honesty, and humanity — his memoir remains the more intimate and respectful farewell.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
