Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

Original title: Ibelin
  • 2024
  • PG-13
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
14K
YOUR RATING
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)
Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receiving messages from online friends around the world.
Play trailer1:28
2 Videos
12 Photos
AnimationBiographyDocumentary

Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receivin... Read allMats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receiving messages from online friends around the world.Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receiving messages from online friends around the world.

  • Director
    • Benjamin Ree
  • Writer
    • Mats Steen
  • Stars
    • Mats Steen
    • Robert Steen
    • Trude Steen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    14K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Benjamin Ree
    • Writer
      • Mats Steen
    • Stars
      • Mats Steen
      • Robert Steen
      • Trude Steen
    • 63User reviews
    • 44Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 14 wins & 31 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:28
    Official Trailer
    The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
    Trailer 1:28
    The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
    The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
    Trailer 1:28
    The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

    Photos11

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 5
    View Poster

    Top cast30

    Edit
    Mats Steen
    • Self - Ibelin
    • (archive footage)
    Robert Steen
    • Self - Father
    Trude Steen
    • Self - Mother
    Mia Steen
    • Self - Sister
    Lisette Roovers
    • Self - Rumour
    Kai Simon Fredriksen
    • Self - Nomine
    Mikkel Neilsen
    • Self - Nikmik
    • (as Mikkel Riknagel Nielsen)
    Xenia-Anni Neilsen
    • Self - Reike
    • (as Xenia-Anni Nielsen)
    Rikke Nielsen
    • Self - Etaine
    • (voice)
    Tor Bjørn Torp
    • Self
    • (voice)
    Kristian Froberg Hansen
    • Self - Stoen
    • (voice)
    Jenna Rissanen
    • Self
    Leif Jacobsson
    • Self
    Anne Hamill
    • Self
    Ninna Wiberg
    • Self
    Kirsi Lunden
    • Self
    Peter Skipper Hartvig Szwed
    • Self
    Donna Paterson
    • Self
    • Director
      • Benjamin Ree
    • Writer
      • Mats Steen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews63

    8.213.5K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9jtborgersen

    A must see for the fall.

    A must see for everyone. A heartwarming and touching movie about my fellow Norwegian man. I cried and got to think about his life when he lived. No spoilers so just sit back and feel the movie.

    You will not be disappointed at all. Ibelin has been in Norwegian media for some time and I was wondering if this could be a good movie, so hell yeah... Shows me as a father that when kids are more in a virtual word it's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just something I don't understand just yet.

    So please sit back and let the movie take you through a young man's world so far away from our world. And if you are living in Ibelins world; I salute you 🇳🇴
    9cutie7

    A Must See

    Ibelin is a deeply moving documentary that beautifully captures the unexpected ways people connect in the digital world. It tells the story of Mats Steen, a young Norwegian gamer who passed away at 25 from a degenerative muscular disease. His parents, who believed Mats lived a lonely and isolated life, were overwhelmed when they started receiving heartfelt messages from his online friends around the globe. Through these messages, the film reveals how gaming gave Mats a sense of belonging and deep friendships that defied the physical limitations of his condition.

    Watching Ibelin was an emotional experience; almost everyone in the theater, including us, was in tears. The film is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as it shows how Mats' life, though marked by illness, was filled with meaningful connections. It challenges the idea that a fulfilling life must look a certain way and reminds us that friendship and love can flourish in the most unexpected places. This story has left a lasting impression on us and is hands down our favourite at MIFF this year.
    10saimariejohnson

    MUST WATCH OF THE YEAR

    This made me ugly cry and yet feel so inspired .

    As a carrier of Duchenne and a mother of two sons who have this horrible disease and also as a creative who got my start in role-playing communities.

    It is an ABSOLUTE Must Watch!

    The Story Behind Netflix's Moving Documentary 'The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. The film focuses on a Norwegian gamer who died at 25, leaving behind a richer online life than his family could have imagined.

    THIS SHOW is a MUST watch, I am seriously asking everyone to take the time out of their day to view. It is about Mats "Ibelin" Steen who had Duchenne and was an avid WOW player.

    For so many layers and reasons it is a documentary that hit every single one of my heartstrings.

    The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is on Netflix now.
    cameronlalor

    Ibelin Continues to change lives

    This is probably the most unprofessional but honest review I have given on IMDB. This was a beautiful story amazingly animated and curated to understand his nature and impact in how the digital age can still grip and touch us all. As someone who has constant Existential fears and worries around death. The story of Ibelin reminded me of the purpose we all share in this life, is our relationship with each other, how love and respect helps eachother to grow, and that if we open our hearts and allow each other to embrace both our gifts and our flaws, we can share something special regardless of the canvas our senses create.
    9MarvinLeroy

    RIP Ibelin

    I went to the cinema yesterday without knowing too much about the story, except it being very emotionally moving, and left it a feeling of gratefuleness.

    This movie displays the story of a young man who had to live his life with a severe muscular disease, that eventually took him. Due to his incapability of taking part in life in the real world, he chose to spent it mostly digitally in World of Warcraft. In this virtual world he was not limited by his disease and could do things, that he was not able to do otherwise.

    This documentary displays is life in WoW and how he affected others. It is a very moving story and I could imagine it to be eye opening, especially for elder people, who might not have a perception of how much a virtual world can impact people.

    I consider myself a gamer as well, not particularly a roleplayer, but a gamer and thereby I know, how beautiful games can be and how they can yield relationships. With that perspective in mind, I also was moved by the story. Rest in Peace Ibelin.

    More like this

    Daughters
    7.6
    Daughters
    My Octopus Teacher
    8.1
    My Octopus Teacher
    The Painter and the Thief
    7.5
    The Painter and the Thief
    Trainwreck: Poop Cruise
    6.0
    Trainwreck: Poop Cruise
    Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel
    6.1
    Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel
    Titan: The OceanGate Disaster
    6.7
    Titan: The OceanGate Disaster
    Will & Harper
    7.4
    Will & Harper
    Grenfell: Uncovered
    7.4
    Grenfell: Uncovered
    Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy
    6.7
    Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy
    Trainwreck: The Real Project X
    5.8
    Trainwreck: The Real Project X
    Avicii - I'm Tim
    7.7
    Avicii - I'm Tim
    Amy Bradley Is Missing
    6.7
    Amy Bradley Is Missing

    Related interests

    Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)
    Animation
    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In interviews, Benjamin Ree has stated that the film was completed without initial permission from Blizzard, the owners of World of Warcraft. This was a big risk, but necessary to ensure the film's independent status. When the film was completed, the production crew contacted Blizzard and travelled to California to show them the film. After the screening, several of the bosses of the company were crying and granted the necessary rights.
    • Connections
      Features Dragonheart: Fire & Steel (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      To the Mountain
      Performed by Bigbang

      Written by Øystein Greni

      Copyright Warner Music Norway

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 25, 2024 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Norway
    • Languages
      • English
      • Norwegian
      • Danish
    • Also known as
      • La singular vida de Ibelin
    • Production companies
      • Medieoperatørene
      • VGTV
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,303,564
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 43m(103 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.