Title: Untold: The Liver King — An Unfiltered Glimpse into the Ascent and Decline of a Social Media Phenomenon
In the dynamic realm of social media influencers, few personalities have garnered as much attention as Brian Johnson — widely recognized by his primal moniker, The Liver King. With his muscular, shirtless form, bushy beard, and obsession with consuming raw organ meats, Johnson crafted a brand centered on “ancestral living” and bold masculinity. His narrative is now the focus of a new Netflix documentary, Untold: The Liver King, which premiered on May 13, 2025.
Directed by Joe Pearlman, this film is a segment of Netflix’s UNTOLD series, delving into the hidden narratives behind notable figures and incidents. Unlike typical fitness documentaries that emphasize workout routines or diet strategies, this edition delves into the psychology, spectacle, and scandals surrounding one of the internet’s most contentious personalities.
Who Is The Liver King?
Brian Johnson gained prominence by advocating a lifestyle purportedly inspired by early human ancestors. His ethos revolves around nine “ancestral tenets,” which emphasize the consumption of raw organ meats, rigorous physical training, exposure to sunlight, and even sunbathing one’s private areas. His social media platforms are brimming with clips of him partaking in raw liver, bone marrow, and bull testicles — all while promoting the advantages of living like our primal forbearers.
With a powerful voice and an extraordinary persona, Johnson quickly garnered millions of followers. His portrayal as a contemporary caveman resonated with audiences longing for a return to “natural” lifestyles in an age dominated by processed foods and sedentary habits. He also leveraged his popularity by establishing a supplement empire, asserting that his products could help others achieve comparable vitality and strength.
The Myth Begins to Unravel
Even with his assertions of being “natty” (natural), Johnson’s well-built physique and extreme lifestyle faced doubt. In 2022, leaked emails unveiled that he had been using anabolic steroids — a revelation that starkly contradicted his all-natural branding. The backlash was immediate and intense, with critics labeling him a fraud and accusing him of exploiting his followers for financial gain.
Untold: The Liver King confronts this controversy head-on. It uses this situation as a lens to probe deeper inquiries: What transpires when a persona eclipses the individual behind it? How does a man uphold a myth believed by millions — particularly when that myth starts to fragment?
A Cautionary Tale for the Influencer Age
The documentary includes frank interviews with Johnson, his wife, his children, and members of his business team. It creates a nuanced portrayal of a man caught in the conflict between authenticity and performance, between family existence and internet stardom. Audiences are granted an intimate view of the emotional toll that upholding such an extreme public persona can impose — not just on Johnson, but on those nearest to him.
Director Joe Pearlman narrates the story as a broader critique of the influencer era. “We live in a time when an individual can reach hundreds of millions without undergoing any sort of traditional gatekeeping,” he states. “No background checks: Just a phone and a guy.”
This unfiltered access to fame is simultaneously empowering and perilous. As the documentary illustrates, it permits individuals like Johnson to construct empires — yet also to crash dramatically when the truth is uncovered.
Public Response: Intrigue and Disappointment
The debut of Untold: The Liver King has elicited a variety of responses. Some viewers are captivated by the insider perspective of a man who transformed raw meat and primal vigor into a multimillion-dollar brand. Others perceive the documentary as indicative of Netflix’s diminishing content quality, regretting the platform’s turn from high-concept narratives to influencer exposés.
“You’ve got to be f***ing kidding me,” wrote one YouTube commenter beneath the trailer. Another remarked, “Netflix has truly hit rock bottom.” Nonetheless, in spite of the criticism, the documentary has accomplished what Netflix excels at: igniting conversations among viewers.
Conclusion: More Than Just Meat
Whether you regard Brian Johnson as a swindler, a fitness innovator, or merely an eccentric internet figure, Untold: The Liver King presents more than merely an exploration of a man who consumes raw liver. It offers a compelling character analysis of identity, performance, and the nebulous boundaries between reality and spectacle in the digital era.
Ultimately, the documentary prompts viewers to reflect not only on who The Liver King is — but what he signifies in a world where anyone can become a brand, and where authenticity is frequently just another act.
Watch Untold: The Liver King now streaming on Netflix.
