Netflix Review — Being Eddie

Netflix’s Being Eddie offers a warm, inside look at Eddie Murphy. Not just the iconic
comedian, but the man behind the fame. Directed by Angus Wall, this documentary
walks us through Murphy’s meteoric rise, his reflections on legacy, and the quieter parts
of his life that shaped him.
From the start, Being Eddie feels like a home visit. Murphy invites the cameras into his
California home, which features some fantastic features. In the comforts of home,
Murphy is in his element: cracking jokes, watching Ridiculousness (his guilty pleasure
show), and hanging out with his family. It’s cozy, familiar, and deliberately unguarded.
Some reviewer points out that there’s a “lively, laid-back coziness” to the film, one that
lets Murphy feel less like a legend and more like a guy just living his truth.
The doc covers all the big beats: his time on SNL, his blockbuster films, and even his
spiritual side. One of the more striking revelations is his longtime struggle with OCD.
Murphy discusses childhood rituals, such as repeatedly checking his stove’s gas dials,
and how these habits carried into adulthood. However, even through the vulnerability,
there’s a clear thread: self-love, faith, and grounding. He credits his spiritual practice
and prayer as a huge anchor in his life.
There are also moments of conflict. He revisits his long-standing rift with SNL,
particularly a hurtful joke by David Spade, and his eventual return to the show in 2019.
He doesn’t shy away from loss either: friends, mentors, and peers from his early days
are gone, and he talks about that grief with quiet strength.
However, here’s where the film falters slightly: it leans too heavily on celebration and
not enough on criticism. Several critics have called it affectionate, even adoring, but
limited in its scope. Some bigger controversies from his life are glossed over or avoided,
which makes the film feel like a legacy piece more than a deep investigative portrait.
Still, for fans of Murphy, and anyone curious about the man behind the jokes. Being
Eddie delivers what it promises: an intimate, mostly honest stroll through a life lived
boldly. He’s funny, reflective, flawed, and grounded. And even if it doesn’t dig into
every corner, it gives us something rare: Eddie Murphy, on his own terms.
Verdict: Being Eddie is warm, nostalgic, and safe — not a hard-hitting documentary,
but a heartfelt tribute. Score: 6.5/10 (for its charm, access, and emotional honesty,
even if it plays things a little too clean.)