Marlee Matlin’s Journey Comes Into Focus in Groundbreaking Documentary

21 June 2025

(Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore offers an intimate, visually rich portrait of the Oscar‑winning actress and activist, breaking new ground in documentary storytelling by prioritizing American Sign Language and the Deaf experience. Directed by Shoshannah Stern, a Deaf filmmaker chosen by Matlin, the film shuns voiceover in favor of natural conversations in ASL, with hearing viewers relying on subtitles to follow along,

The documentary opens with Matlin in candid dialogue with Stern, setting a tone that feels personal rather than performative. The pair sign freely, with interpreters discreetly positioned off camera, allowing Deaf communication to take center stage. Stern explained that this approach reframes traditional documentary form to center accessibility as a universal value, not a special feature.

Matlin’s life story unfolds from her upbringing in a hearing family in suburban Chicago. Stricken deaf at eighteen months, she learned ASL later in childhood and discovered her love for performance early on, inspired by a backstage encounter with Henry Winkler at age twelve. At twenty-one she won Best Actress for her debut role in Children of a Lesser God, becoming the youngest recipient in the category and the first and for decades only Deaf Oscar winner.

Yet instant fame brought unexpected alienation. Interviewers frequently centered their questions on her deafness. In one revealing scene, they repeatedly ask “How did it feel to be deaf?” rather than acknowledging her performance or humanity. Matlin speaks of shouldering the burden of representation, stepping into advocacy by championing closed captions on television and confronting stereotyping in mainstream media.

The film delves deeper, recounting Matlin’s personal struggles. Her marriage to co‑star William Hurt was marked by abuse, and she battled substance use before entering rehab in her twenties. She also faced backlash after speaking out about that relationship and earlier childhood abuse moments that reinforced the cost of speaking her truth long before.

One of the documentary’s most poignant arcs revisits her withdrawal from parts of the Deaf community after her 1988 Oscars speech a moment which many viewed as pandering to hearing norms rather than honoring Deaf identity. Her reemergence as an activist and spokesperson for accessibility marked a vital redefinition of her public identity.

Central to the film is Matlin’s reaction to co‑star Troy Kotsur’s Oscar win in 2022. As the second Deaf actor to be honored, his victory resonated deeply for her. Yet Matlin points out that despite these breakthroughs, Hollywood remains stubbornly slow in offering substantive roles to Deaf performers.

Critics have responded warmly. NPR hailed its use of captions as a model for inclusivity, while RogerEbert.com praised its blending of biography and cultural narrative, naming it a moving exploration of lasting advocacy.

Matlin’s core message resonates through the documentary: the true obstacle lies not in her ears, but in the assumptions of a hearing-centric world. “The handicap of deafness lives in others’ minds,” she reminds viewers .

Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore is more than a retrospective. It’s a manifesto on autonomy, authenticity, and the power of telling your story on your own terms. As Stern and Matlin conclude their measured yet powerful dialogue on screen, they reaffirm that when marginalized voices control their narrative, both art and society become richer and more inclusive.