Netflix has finally unveiled the trailer for the long-awaited documentary The Untold Story, a deeply powerful and emotional exploration of the life and career of Cillian Murphy. Known for his piercing blue eyes, haunting intensity, and transformative performances, Murphy has built a reputation as one of the most enigmatic and respected actors of his generation. Yet for all his fame, he has remained a figure cloaked in mystery — avoiding the trappings of celebrity, shunning social media, and rarely speaking about his private life. Now, for the first time, the Irish actor opens up in a raw and revealing new Netflix documentary that promises to uncover the truth behind the man millions have admired but few truly know. The trailer alone has sent shockwaves through the film community and among fans who have followed his remarkable journey from a quiet musician in Cork to a global icon whose performances define a generation.
As the trailer begins, viewers are greeted with a montage of iconic moments from Murphy’s career — from his early role in Disco Pigs to his chilling transformation in 28 Days Later, his ethereal portrayal in Breakfast on Pluto, and his rise to superstardom as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders. The voiceover, presumably Murphy himself, begins quietly, almost introspectively: “I never set out to be famous. I just wanted to tell stories.” Those words linger in the air as the footage cuts between his early days struggling to find direction and the towering successes that made him a household name. The cinematography feels intimate, capturing Murphy not as the distant figure we see on screens but as a deeply thoughtful artist wrestling with his purpose and identity.
The documentary, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson, takes a deeply personal approach to Murphy’s story. Abrahamson, who has previously explored the complexities of Irish identity in films like Room and Garage, reportedly spent over two years following Murphy across different stages of his life — from his family home in Ireland to the sets of major productions like Oppenheimer. The trailer teases unseen moments of reflection, candid interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses that highlight the actor’s meticulous dedication to his craft. At one point, we see Murphy sitting alone in a dimly lit theatre, watching old footage of himself, his expression unreadable. The narration continues: “When you spend your life becoming other people, you start to forget who you are.”
For fans, this line encapsulates the essence of The Untold Story. Murphy has long been celebrated for his ability to disappear into roles, transforming completely whether he’s playing a ruthless gang leader, a tormented scientist, or a fragile soul in search of belonging. Directors like Christopher Nolan, who appears in the documentary, speak about Murphy’s rare ability to convey depth without words — describing him as “an actor who doesn’t act, but becomes.” The trailer briefly features Nolan recounting their collaboration on Oppenheimer, calling it “the performance of a lifetime.” In between these interviews, we see flashes of Murphy on set, his face calm but eyes burning with focus. The intensity of his preparation, the precision of his movements, and his complete surrender to character all reveal the profound artistic process that has made him a legend in the industry.
Yet what truly sets this documentary apart is its willingness to go beyond the craft and into the soul. Netflix’s The Untold Story is not just about the evolution of an actor but about the man behind the screen — his struggles, sacrifices, and search for balance. The trailer offers glimpses of Murphy’s private life rarely seen before: walking through the streets of Cork with his family, playing the guitar alone in his home, reflecting on his early years when acting was not yet a dream but a distant curiosity. In one of the most emotional moments, he recounts how he initially pursued music before finding his way to theatre. “I thought music would be my voice,” he says softly, “but acting became the language I didn’t know I was searching for.”
There are moments of vulnerability, too — discussions about the toll of fame, the fear of losing oneself, and the burden of constant reinvention. Murphy’s well-known aversion to celebrity culture becomes a central theme. He reflects on why he avoids Hollywood parties, why he refuses to engage with social media, and why he values silence over spectacle. “If people know too much about you,” he says in the trailer, “they stop believing in your characters.” That quote has already become one of the most talked-about lines online, resonating deeply in an era where fame often demands constant exposure. Murphy’s stance feels almost revolutionary — a quiet defiance in a world obsessed with visibility.
The trailer also teases interviews with key figures from Murphy’s professional and personal life, including directors, co-stars, and lifelong friends. Helen McCrory, who portrayed Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders and shared a deep bond with Murphy, is featured in previously unreleased footage recorded before her passing. Her words are profoundly moving as she describes Murphy’s empathy and leadership on set, calling him “a man who carries silence like a crown.” The trailer fades briefly to black as her voice lingers — a haunting tribute that leaves viewers breathless.
From the streets of Cork to the red carpets of global premieres, The Untold Story paints a portrait of a man shaped by contradictions — fiercely private yet emotionally transparent, quiet yet commanding, grounded yet transcendent. The trailer gives us a sense of how the documentary will move through these contrasts, using poetic visuals and a minimalist score composed by longtime collaborator Stephen McKeon to evoke the internal rhythm of Murphy’s life. The music swells gently as clips show him walking along Ireland’s rugged coastline, gazing out at the endless ocean — a recurring motif that symbolizes introspection and freedom.
Netflix executives have described The Untold Story as one of their most ambitious biographical projects to date, combining cinematic artistry with journalistic depth. The documentary reportedly includes rare home footage, personal letters, and moments of candid self-reflection that Murphy has never shared publicly before. Early screenings for critics suggest that it’s not just a biography but a meditation on creativity, solitude, and the quiet endurance required to remain true to oneself in an industry built on illusion.
Social media reactions to the trailer have been overwhelming. Within hours of its release, fans flooded platforms with emotional responses, many expressing how deeply the trailer moved them. Comments like “this isn’t just a documentary — it’s poetry” and “Cillian Murphy proves that authenticity is still powerful” dominated timelines. Even fellow actors, including Florence Pugh and Ciarán Hinds, shared the trailer, praising Murphy’s humility and honesty. It’s rare to see such universal admiration, but Murphy has long transcended fandom categories — adored not for scandal or spectacle, but for the sincerity that radiates from his work.
The release of this documentary also arrives at a defining moment in Murphy’s career. Following his Oscar-winning performance in Oppenheimer, his global profile has reached new heights. Yet rather than retreat into comfort, Murphy seems more determined than ever to examine what all this means — to strip back the layers of performance and return to something real. The Untold Story feels like a summation of a journey that has spanned decades, but also a quiet invitation to see the world through his lens. As the trailer closes, Murphy’s voice returns one last time: “In the end, it’s not about fame or awards. It’s about connection — the moment when someone sees a part of themselves in what you do. That’s the only truth worth chasing.” The screen fades to black, leaving behind a silence that feels both heavy and liberating.
There is a certain poetic symmetry in how Murphy’s life and this documentary align. He began as an artist searching for meaning in performance, and now, decades later, he’s reflecting on what that search has cost and given him. Netflix’s The Untold Story promises not just to chronicle an extraordinary career but to illuminate the quiet humanity that has always existed beneath the surface. It’s a reminder that some of the greatest stories are not written in scripts or shot on film, but lived quietly, in moments of doubt, discovery, and devotion to art.
As anticipation builds for its release, one thing is clear: this is more than just a documentary about an actor — it’s a meditation on artistry itself. Through haunting visuals, unguarded emotion, and the lyrical presence of its subject, The Untold Story stands poised to redefine what a celebrity portrait can be. It captures not just the rise of Cillian Murphy, the actor, but the enduring grace of Cillian Murphy, the man — a figure whose brilliance has always come not from noise, but from silence. And as the trailer closes with a simple message — “Coming Soon to Netflix” — it feels less like an announcement and more like a promise: that finally, the world will see the truth behind one of cinema’s most mysterious and magnetic souls.
