Netflix documentary series ‘Sean Combs: A Missed Opportunity’

The four-part Netflix docuseries, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, fails to offer any new insights into the life of the 56-year-old music mogul, who was convicted on charges related to prostitution in 2024. While it attempts to explore the darker aspects of Combs' life, it ends up repeating known details without bringing any fresh perspective. Additionally, Jackson's long-standing animosity toward Combs raises questions about the documentary's objectivity, leaving viewers wondering whether it was motivated by genuine intent or personal vendetta.

There are brief moments that stand out, such as a former business partner of Combs who expresses regret for not speaking up about witnessing abuse in the past. The series also reminds viewers that Combs was never fully accepted by hip-hop fans, despite his mainstream success. However, these fleeting revelations don't compensate for the overall lack of depth or revelation in the project.

The tension between Jackson and Combs dates back to 2006, when Jackson released a diss track accusing Combs of involvement in the murder of his close associate, the Notorious B.I.G. Although Combs has always denied the accusations, the bitter relationship between the two is a significant factor in the documentarys slant. Jackson has been vocal about his negative views on Combs, even mocking him publicly on social media during his legal troubles. For instance, Jackson parodied Combs' plea for leniency in court, making a mockery of his situation in a post on social media.

Despite this history, Netflix's promotional materials presented the documentary as an unbiased examination of Combs, without acknowledging Jacksons role as a long-time adversary. The series, directed by Alexandria Stapleton, includes footage of Combs leading up to his arrest in September 2024. Jackson has claimed that his motivation was not revenge but rather a desire to address the allegations against Combs and their implications for the hip-hop community. According to Jackson, the project was meant to show that the accusations of abuse and exploitation did not reflect the broader hip-hop culture.

Though Jackson has been lauded for his storytelling abilities, with hits like Power and BMF under his belt, this documentary falls short in its execution. The four-hour length and focus on Combs legal issues seem excessive, especially considering that Combs was acquitted of certain charges, including sex trafficking, but convicted on other counts.

A particularly telling scene in the documentary shows Combs walking through Harlem shortly before his arrest. Despite his celebrity status, he is hardly mobbed by fans, a stark contrast to the widespread admiration one might expect. This scene hints at the perception that Combs is seen as inauthentic by some, particularly within the very culture that Jackson claims to defend. Many people in the documentary express similar sentiments about Combs' reputation, with some admitting to having witnessed his abusive behavior but choosing to remain silent at the time.

The documentary also includes a testimony from Kirk Burrowes, co-founder of Bad Boy Records, who expresses regret for not speaking out after witnessing Combs physically assault his former girlfriend, Misa Hylton. Hylton, who was the mother of Combs' son, Justin Dior Combs, is not interviewed in the docuseries. She later posted a message on Instagram, empathizing with Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, another of Combs exes, who has also accused him of abuse. Though the regret expressed by Burrowes is notable, it raises questions about the complicity of others, such as Combs associates and bodyguards, who could have spoken up but chose not to.

The documentary begins with footage recorded the day before Combs arrest, where he dismisses the allegations against him as "propaganda." Willie Lesane, a relative of the late Tupac Shakur, comments that Combs has never truly reflected on his actions, focusing instead on making the scandal disappear.

While Jackson may have had some noble intentions in producing The Reckoning, it seems unlikely that many people will be eager to watch a four-hour film about Combs, especially when its coverage of his controversial actions offers no major new revelations. With a personal history of animosity and public disdain for Combs, Jackson's docuseries misses the mark in delivering a balanced and informative exploration of the mogul's complex legacy.