Netflix to Release Documentary on Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint for the Digital Age
Netflix has announced plans to release a deeply moving and timely documentary on Blessed Carlo Acutis, the young Italian teenager who has become a modern beacon of faith, hope, and digital evangelization. Known around the world as the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist,” Carlo’s story is one of extraordinary devotion lived out in ordinary life, blending youthful curiosity with unshakable spiritual commitment. The upcoming documentary is set to explore his short but impactful journey, his passion for technology, and his lasting legacy that continues to inspire Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Carlo Acutis was an ordinary boy in many ways. He loved soccer, video games, and technology, but what set him apart was his profound love for the Eucharist and his deep desire to use modern tools to spread the timeless message of the Gospel. By the age of 11, Carlo had begun documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world, meticulously researching, cataloging, and building an online exhibition that would later be translated into multiple languages and displayed globally. This project earned him the affectionate title of “God’s influencer.”
The Netflix documentary will trace his journey from childhood to his early death at the age of 15 in 2006 from leukemia. Despite his illness, Carlo’s life radiated joy, courage, and unwavering trust in God. His final words—“I’m happy to die because I lived my life without wasting a minute on things that don’t please God”—have since become a source of inspiration for millions. The film promises to weave together family testimonies, interviews with church leaders, and voices of young people who continue to be moved by Carlo’s example.
Central to the documentary will be Carlo’s pioneering vision of using the internet as a tool for evangelization. At a time when the Church was only beginning to grasp the influence of digital media, Carlo recognized the web’s potential to reach people in ways traditional methods could not. His online Eucharistic miracles exhibition, still accessible today, stands as a testament to his creativity and foresight. Netflix aims to highlight this aspect not only as a biography of Carlo but also as a reflection on how faith can be lived authentically in an increasingly digital world.
In October 2020, Carlo Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis in Assisi, the city most closely associated with St. Francis. The beatification ceremony drew global attention, particularly because Carlo is seen as a relatable saint for young people in the 21st century. The documentary will also explore this connection, showing how Carlo’s ordinary teenage life—playing with friends, walking his dog, coding websites—was sanctified by his extraordinary love for God. His beatification marked him as the first millennial to be declared Blessed by the Catholic Church, cementing his place in history as a role model for today’s youth.
The production promises not just to recount facts but to capture the spirit of Carlo’s life: his humor, his kindness, his generosity toward the poor, and his ability to make others feel loved. Viewers can expect to see rare footage, personal photographs, and powerful accounts from those who witnessed his holiness firsthand. By blending storytelling with visuals from Carlo’s life and the cities he loved, the documentary will bring to life a young saint who embodied faith in action.
Netflix’s decision to spotlight Carlo Acutis also reflects a broader cultural moment. In a world where the internet often becomes a space of division, negativity, and distraction, Carlo’s life serves as a reminder that technology can also be used to spread positivity, truth, and faith. The documentary is not just for Catholics but for anyone searching for meaning in the modern age. It will ask: What does it mean to live a life of purpose in the digital era? And how can one use personal talents to serve a greater good?
As anticipation builds, many expect the film to reach wide audiences, much like past Netflix faith-based projects. Carlo’s message transcends borders and religions, rooted in universal values of love, generosity, and hope. His legacy continues to grow, inspiring prayer groups, youth movements, and schools around the world.
Ultimately, the Netflix documentary on Blessed Carlo Acutis seeks to shine a spotlight on a teenager who lived only 15 years but managed to touch countless lives. Through his example, viewers will be invited to consider their own call to holiness—not as something distant or unattainable, but as something that can be lived here and now, in everyday choices and in the digital spaces we inhabit. Carlo’s story proves that sanctity is possible for everyone, and Netflix’s global platform is set to ensure his light shines brighter than ever.