The Andy Warhol Diaries
By Jenny Nixon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Captivating pop-artist docu has lots of nudity, sex, drugs.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Andy Warhol Diaries
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
THE ANDY WARHOL DIARIES is a six-part docuseries from executive producer Ryan Murphy (Feud, American Crime Story) and writer-director Andrew Rossi (I Love You, Now Die). The series is based on the 1989 book of the same name, which was a daily monologue of sorts dictated via telephone by Warhol and then transcribed by friend and collaborator Pat Hackett. The book covers the mid-1970s right up until five days before Warhol's death in 1987; this documentary also gives us a bit more background on his childhood years growing up with immigrant parents in a working-class Pittsburgh neighborhood.
Is It Any Good?
This intimate docuseries is an experimental blend of art and journalism that gives us perhaps the fullest picture yet of who Andy Warhol really was -- while inspiring more questions too. His was a cagey kind of personality, his public facade imbued with a cool reserve that made him seem semi-robotic. Indeed, he often said he wished he could be a machine, which the filmmakers honor with their unique approach to telling Warhol's story. Blending an AI text-to-speech algorithm and diary line readings by actor Bill Irwin to re-create Andy Warhol's voice as closely as possible, the series allows the artist to tell his own story (in a fashion). This is a risky move that could have backfired spectacularly -- but it works.
Working with the Andy Warhol Foundation, the series shows never-before-seen Super 8 footage, poetry, correspondence, and other media that paint a more vulnerable and raw portrait of the artist than we're used to seeing. Combined with present-day reflections from some of his closest colleagues and friends of the era, The Andy Warhol Diaries goes a long way toward helping to humanize Warhol, fleshing out his personal story while reminding us why and how his influence as an artist has lasted to this day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of fame and what inherent value it holds, if any. What were the upsides to Warhol's fame? What were the downsides? Did his notoriety work for or against him in terms of being taken seriously as an artist?
Talk about Warhol's creative partnership with Jean-Michel Basquiat. What lessons could the two have learned from one another? How might things like race, age, and sexuality play into how the two were perceived by the art world and its critics?
Discuss the way drug use is depicted or described. Does The Andy Warhol Diaries appear to glamorize or promote the use of these substances? Do you notice any difference in the way these issues are spoken about now versus then?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 9, 2022
- Cast: Bill Irwin, Rob Lowe, John Waters
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: April 21, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate