Review: Aka Charlie Sheen and What the Documentary Reveals About the Actor

The docuseries Aka Charlie Sheen premiered on September 10, 2025, on Netflix. Split into two parts and running about three hours, it explores the actor’s life and career, from his birth to his reckless lifestyle and addictions, up to the sobriety he has maintained for seven years.

Directed by Andrew Renzi, the series features current interviews with Denise Richards (ex-wife), Brooke Mueller (ex-wife), Jon Cryer (co-star in Two and a Half Men), Sean Penn (longtime friend), Ramon Estevez (brother), Heidi Fleiss (former madam), and Marco (his former dealer).

The documentary dives into Sheen’s life, exploring substance abuse, public scandals, family dynamics, and his path toward sobriety and recovery. It offers an intimate and at times shocking look at the actor’s journey.

We’ve highlighted some of the key points.

Childhood and Early Career

Carlos Irwin Estévez, Charlie Sheen’s birth name, began his path at a young age. The documentary shows the strong influence of his father, acclaimed actor Martin Sheen.

It tells how Charlie decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and adopted the stage name the world now knows. He quickly reached major success in Hollywood, becoming one of the biggest stars of the ’80s and ’90s, with memorable roles in films such as Platoon (1986) and Wall Street (1987).

Sobriety and the “New Charlie Sheen”

The documentary allows us to see a Charlie Sheen who appears quite changed. He seems calmer, more thoughtful, and reflective about the chaos of his past. He shares openly what pushed him to quit drinking in 2017: the moment he realized he wasn’t able to take his own daughter to a medical appointment.

This part of the story highlights his search for redemption, showing a man trying to rebuild his life and repair his family ties.

The Lack of Genuine Remorse

It’s hard not to miss Sheen’s lack of remorse and self-criticism. Even when recalling his excesses, addictions, and string of scandals, he seems more nostalgic than ashamed or regretful. The documentary falls short here, failing to explore fully the pain he caused his family, friends, and colleagues like Jon Cryer and Chuck Lorre.

Testimonies from Those Who Lived It

The documentary gains depth through testimony from people close to Sheen, including ex-wives, childhood friends, and even his former dealer. The absence of Martin and Emilio Estevez, his father and brother, is striking. Their perspective could have added a deeper and more painful dimension to the family impact. Still, accounts from others, like childhood friend Tony Todd, who breaks down while recalling Sheen’s wild party nights, help reveal the gravity of the situation.

The Peak and the “Bad Boy” Image

After his success in film, Sheen became a household name on television, especially with his role as Charlie Harper in Two and a Half Men. The documentary presents this as the peak of his career and popularity. It shows how his personal life of excess and lavish living overlapped with his public image, and for a time, even fueled his success. He was seen by many as charming, charismatic, and brilliant.

The Fall and Public Meltdown

One of the documentary’s most important sections is Sheen’s downfall, culminating in his dramatic exit from Two and a Half Men and a series of public incidents. It details his erratic behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, and the rise of his “Winning” phase, which became an internet phenomenon.

The series also highlights the devastating impact of this period on his career, family, and friendships, including his relationship with co-creator Chuck Lorre and co-star Jon Cryer.

The Sobriety Process and Reflection

A significant portion of the documentary focuses on Sheen’s path to sobriety, which he says began in 2017. He reflects on his mistakes, the harm he caused, and his attempts at reconciliation. The series tries to present a more vulnerable and repentant side of the actor, as he seeks to reconnect with his family and audience.

And the Real Impact of His Actions

While the documentary provides a firsthand account of Charlie Sheen’s life, it fails to truly hold him accountable for his most damaging actions. These are often framed as “missteps” or lapses, rather than the consequences of reckless behavior. By leaning too heavily on his comeback narrative, it overlooks victims and the lasting impact of his choices, despite Sheen’s candor in discussing sensitive subjects like sexual experiences and medical diagnoses.

The documentary received mixed reviews. Some critics argue it fails to hold Sheen accountable, while others praised his openness in addressing delicate topics.

Rotten Tomatoes: 69% critic score, 79% audience score.

IMDb: 7.7/10 from 4,800 ratings.

Letterboxd: 3.6/5 stars from 11,000 ratings.

Aka Charlie Sheen offers an intimate and personal look at the actor’s life, tracing his journey from rapid Hollywood success to his peak, his dramatic downfall, and his attempt at recovery.

The documentary succeeds in showing a more introspective and vulnerable Sheen, reflecting on past mistakes and searching for redemption. But his lack of genuine remorse is troubling, raising questions about the film’s true intent, which feels more like rebranding him for the public than presenting an honest, comprehensive account.

Even so, it is worth watching for those who want to better understand the complex figure of Charlie Sheen.

Until next time!