Matthew Henson

Lore & Background

Their first Arctic expedition together was in 1891–92; Henson served as navigator and craftsman, known as Peary's 'first man,' and studied Inuit survival techniques. In interviews, Henson identified as the first member of the party to reach what they believed was the pole.

Reader's Guide

His contributions as navigator, craftsman, and dog-sled driver were essential to the expedition's progress, yet for decades his achievements were largely overshadowed by Peary's fame.

Did You Know?

• Henson was born to sharecropper parents who were free Black Americans before the Civil War.
• In 1988, Henson and his wife were re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

The Life and Work Chronicled

Beyond the well-known franchises, the film places significant emphasis on Henson's creative and romantic partnership with his wife, Jane Henson, presenting their collaboration as a central thread rather than a passing footnote. The documentary draws on interviews with family members and longtime collaborators, with Frank Oz among those who appear on screen to offer personal perspectives. Rather than relying solely on archival footage, the film incorporates animated sequences built from Henson's own drawings, adding a visual dimension that previous treatments of his life had not explored. The result is a portrait that balances the public-facing achievements with the private creative relationships that fueled them, giving audiences a more complete sense of the man behind the marionettes.

From Biopic to Documentary: A Decade in the Making

The road to the finished film was anything but straightforward.

Critical Response and Reception

Critics responded warmly to Ron Howard's documentary. On Rotten Tomatoes, 98 percent of 61 reviews came in positive, averaging 7.8 out of 10, with the consensus praising the film for steering clear of hagiography while still delivering a clear picture of Henson's artistry. Individual reviews highlighted different strengths: Michael Nordine of Variety acknowledged the film's conventional structure but called it a heartfelt tribute. Matthew Carey of Deadline Hollywood singled out the animated sequences built from Henson's drawings as a fresh element absent from earlier documentaries. Daniel Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter noted the film leans more on evidence of Henson's drive than deep psychological insight, while Kate Erbland of Indiewire gave it a B+, commending Howard's willingness to lean into honesty even as the film could not fully capture the full scope of its subject's life and work.

Premiere and Global Release

The selection placed the documentary alongside other significant works in a competitive festival context, giving it a high-profile introduction before its broader audience. The relatively short gap between the Cannes premiere and the streaming launch meant that critical buzz from the festival could carry directly into the film's mass release. The dual strategy of festival prestige followed by immediate global streaming ensured the documentary reached both cinephile audiences and the general viewership that had grown up with Henson's creations, from Muppets to Sesame Street, without a long theatrical window in between.

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