What is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck about? New Netflix documentary explained

You May have heard of the title, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” before, but what is this new Netflix documentary about?

Netflixhas established itself as a leading authority in documentaries, from true crime, to movie history, to world events. Now comes a new documentary with slightly smaller stakes, which makes sense, as it’s ultimately about not giving a f*ck.

Netflix still of the subtle art of not giving a f

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck has dropped on Netflix this week, and with an abrasive title like that, you may be wondering what the documentary is about. You may have even heard of that title before, and be wondering where it’s from, which will be explained later on.

Here is our answer to what the documentary is about, along with whether or not it’s worth watching.

Footage of the Whittaker Family by Mark Laita

What is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck about?

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a new Netflix documentary based on the hit 2016 self-help book by Mark Manson, who is also presenting said documentary.

The official synopsis for the documentary is as such: “Author Mark Manson explores the human condition and his counterintuitive approach to finding true joy in this documentary based on his bestselling book.”

Jussie Smollett, Elmer Wayne Henley Jr., and Grace Van Patten as Amanda Knox

The summary for the book, which is titled “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life” is pretty similar, that being, “In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be “positive” all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.”

And if you’re wanting even more summaries of this documentary (which is directed by Nathan Price), then check out the trailer below:

Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham in Adolescence, Jenna Ortega in Wednesday, and Lee Jung-jae in Squid Game

How to watch the Whittaker Family documentary – is it on Netflix?

New documentaries & true crime August 2025: Netflix, Hulu, Prime & more

The 20 best Netflix shows you need to watch

The documentary stands at 1 hour and 37 minutes, so you’d essentially be watching an average length movie. Therefore, if you’re unsure about watching it, you at least won’t be wasting too much of your time. However, if you’re still uncertain…

Is this new Netflix documentary worth watching?

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck has received somewhat positive reviews so far, with a current 71% score onRotten Tomatoes. However, its audience score is 49%.

Some like it: “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a #@%! takes the best-selling book to the big screen as a refreshing and pertinent documentary,” statesMovieWeb.

Whereas some find the documentary condescending, likeCollider: “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a #@%! comes off as a lecture that doesn’t really give a #@% about how Manson’s worldview and experiences can find a footing in other realities different from his.”

Some reviews are middling, as while they like the documentary, they like the book more: “While I have very little doubt that Mason’s philosophy on screen is likely to prove as helpful as his best-selling tome, there is something about Price’s film that just feels too stunted to fully function as a bona fide adaptation of the book,” statesThe Jewish Chronicle.

If you want to make up your own mind, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is available to stream on Netflix now. you’re able to check out our other Netflix hubs below:

The Night Agent Season 2|The Gentlemen| Will there be Firefly Lane Season 3? |Sex Education Season 4|Beef Season 2|Monster Season 2|Will there be Ginny and Georgia Season 3?|Black Mirror Season 6|All the Light We Cannot See|Stranger Things Season 5|The Witcher Season 3|Chicken Run 2|Heartstopper Season 2|FUBAR|Florida Man Season 2|Obsession Season 2|The Sandman Season 2