Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever - Release date, plot and everything we know so far

Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, directed by Chris Smith, is a documentary that explores the life of Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur on a quest to defy aging. The documentary goes into detail about Johnson's strict anti-aging routine and shows his personal and professional life.

This documentary is scheduled to debut on Netflix on January 1, 2025. It aims to challenge traditional perspectives on mortality and aging.

Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever tracks Bryan Johnson's life, spending millions yearly on experimental anti-aging treatments. Johnson follows severe protocols including gene therapy, plasma transfusions, and daily consumption of more than fifty pills.

From personal family events to state-of-the-art medical treatments, the documentary captures the highs and lows of Johnson's mission, illustrating mankind's ongoing struggle against mortality.

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Everything to know about Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever

Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever dives deep into the psyche of Bryan Johnson. Under Chris Smith's direction, the film explores Johnson's techniques, motives, and knock-on effects on people close by.

The official synopsis of the documentary reads:

“In this documentary, wealthy entrepreneur Bryan Johnson puts his body and fortune on the line to defy aging and extend his life beyond all known limits.”

Bryan Johnson, a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur, developed a rigorous anti-aging protocol after grappling with personal struggles. His annual commitment is $2 million on innovative medical treatments including multi-generational plasma exchanges and gene therapies. Johnson's son gives him plasma in one scene to show the extent he is ready to go to preserve youth.

Johnson’s mission stems from his desire to defy societal norms about aging.

"As a species, we accept our inevitable decay, decline, and death. I want to argue the opposite," he says in the trailer.

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Trailer breakdown

The trailer for Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever provides a glimpse into Bryan Johnson’s extreme lifestyle. It highlights his meticulous routine, radical medical procedures, and the emotional foundation of his mission.

In one scene, Johnson explains his motivation:

"I want to live with everything that I am."

The trailer also reveals his desire to:

"Walk into a future where all of us live healthier and longer."

The plasma exchange action serves as a representation of the ethical dilemmas that his methodologies present. After viewing the trailer, viewers are left with this question: To what extent would you go in order to live indefinitely?

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Vision of director Chris Smith

In Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, director Chris Smith employs his distinctive storytelling style. Smith, who is recognized for his documentaries such as Fyre and Tiger King, dedicated a year to the study of Bryan Johnson's life. On December 20, 2024, he told Tudum by Netflix:

“Last year, I saw a headline about a man spending $2 million a year to become 18 again. That initial curiosity led to a 12-month journey following Bryan Johnson’s quest and its effect on those closest to him, while interviewing experts from around the world to get a better understanding of the people trying to live healthier, longer."

Smith’s approach provides both scientific insights and an emotional narrative.

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All About Bryan Johnson, the man who doesn’t want to die

Bryan Johnson, the person behind Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever (Image via Netflix)

Bryan Johnson, a former entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, is renowned for his preoccupation with anti-aging. Johnson's experiments have garnered worldwide attention.

In February 2021, he created Blueprint at the age of 45, a platform that is dedicated to the reversal of aging through the application of cutting-edge science. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is also the founder/CEO of Kernel (since June 2016), OS Fund (since October 2013) and formerly Braintree Venmo (January 2007 to September 2013).

He completed his MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and BA from Brigham Young University.

His ultimate goal is to live longer and redefine the aging process itself. Reflecting on his desire to challenge biological limits and inspire others to rethink aging, Johnson says in the documentary trailer:

"One hundred years is not enough."

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Stay tuned for more news and updates on this documentary and similar projects as the new year progresses. Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever will be available to stream on Netflix from January 1, 2025.