Netflix Drops “The Underdog” — A Deep Dive into Matt Rife’s Rise

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 28, 2025) — Netflix has officially greenlit The Underdog, a much-anticipated feature-length documentary chronicling the meteoric rise of comedy sensation Matt Rife. The streamer confirmed the news this month, labeling the film as a “Highly Anticipated Documentary About the comedy star Matt Riff” .

📅 Release Date & Platform

Netflix unveiled that The Underdog will debut exclusively on its platform later this year. While the exact release date hasn’t been locked in, insiders suggest a fall 2025 premiere, aiming to build buzz ahead of the holiday viewing season .

🧭 What to Expect

A candid look at Matt Rife’s origins: Born in North Lewisburg, Ohio in 1995, Rife began performing stand-up at just 14 and climbed to fame via YouTube specials and viral social media clips .

Early triumphs and setbacks: The doc promises exploration of his formative years, early gigs, personal struggles—including battles with depression and anxiety—and key influences like Dave Chappelle .

Netflix breakthrough: Interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from his recent Netflix specials, Natural Selection (2023) and Lucid (2024), are expected to feature heavily .

Humor, backlash & resilience: Rife’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. The doc is expected to address controversies—including a backlash from a domestic violence joke in Natural Selection—while portraying how he rebounded and rebuilt his brand .

🎥 Production & Creative Team

Although Netflix hasn’t revealed the director or production outfit, speculation points to the involvement of the creative team behind Netflix’s recent comedy documentaries, known for their honest storytelling and immersive access. Behind-the-scenes sets from both Natural Selection and Lucid are rumored to feature prominently.

💬 Why It Matters

Meticulously-timed spotlight: With Rife’s 2025 Stay Golden tour stopping at Madison Square Garden this July, this film arrives at a moment when his stardom is peaking .

A nuanced portrayal of success: Promising “an unflinching look at greatness and grief, spotlighting a man never afraid to fail,” Netflix seems to be framing Rife’s journey as both inspirational and grounded .

Adding depth to the comedy genre: Coming on the heels of acclaimed Netflix documentaries like Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, this film could similarly amplify the genre’s cultural impact .

🛠️ How Matt Rife Became the Underdog

Milestone Details

Ohio Beginnings Started stand-up at 14; turning pro by 15 in local Ohio clubs
YouTube & Social Media Self-released “Only Fans” (2021), “Matthew Steven Rife” and “Walking Red Flag” (2023); amassed millions of views
Netflix Debuts Natural Selection (2023), Lucid (2024) — the latter touted as Netflix’s first crowd-work special
Touring & Stardom Announced 2025 Stay Golden tour, selling out large venues including MSG

🎙️ Anticipated Themes

Persistence in adversity: The narrative will likely emphasize Rife’s mental health resilience, comedic evolution, and ability to grow from missteps.

Breaking comedy boundaries: Through archival performances and interviews with peers like Dave Chappelle, Netflix seems intent on portraying Rife as both a rising star and a maturing artist.

Fan-first storytelling: Expect crowd-work highlights, inside stories from Rife’s MSG announcement, and footage capturing his energetic connection with audiences.

⏭️ Next Steps

Trailer alert: Netflix is expected to drop the trailer this fall—watch it for a deeper glimpse into Rife’s past, creative process, and candid moments.

Tune in for the premiere: Keep an eye out for official release dates from Netflix, expected as promotional campaigns ramp up.