(Credits: Netflix)

Netflix has announced a new documentary on American entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, which will be released on January 1st, 2025.

Johnson, who has famously dedicated himself to stopping himself from ageing with strict diets and sleeping schedules, among other extremities like daily tests, will place his quest for immortality as the star of the new documentary, directed by Tiger King and Fyre filmmaker Chris Smith.

The search will be told through close observation of Johnson, including his mindset, lifestyle, routine, and the factors that encouraged him to transition from a budding entrepreneur to a person wholly committed to living beyond the normal life expectancy.

Smith first encountered Johnson after reading an article about a senior figure in the tech world who spent “two million dollars a year to become 18 again,” he told Tudum. This led to a year-long journey following Johnson’s lifestyle and its effect on those around him. Smith also learned more about adopting a healthy lifestyle from experts to gain a better understanding of how to live longer.

According to the synopsis, Don’t Die follows “one man’s obsession” through “gruelling daily routine, home life, medical procedures, and friends and family,” maintaining Smith’s signature penchant for real-life stories that shock, enlighten, and stay with you long after the credits roll.

This was proven by former stint Tiger King, which became a significant source of focus for audiences and broadcasters alike, reinventing what it meant to blur the line between observational spectatorship and reality. Not only was it one of the most talked-about shows back in 2020, but it also proved the potential of contemporary reality filmmaking, drilling up such immense intrigue that interest in the notorious Joe Exotic remained long after the series ended.

While audiences have yet to experience the weird and wonderful world of Don’t Die, the film is likely to present the same level of intrigue. It also comes at a crucial time for modern audiences, particularly during a time when cultural interest in mortality and health has become so enhanced.

If audiences are anything like the director, it might even encourage subtle lifestyle changes. As he put it, “A year later, I drink less, go to bed earlier, and wear a ring that tells me how bad my sleep is.”