Martha Stewart has voiced strong criticism of Martha, the new Netflix documentary about her life, directed by RJ Cutler. Despite cooperating with the project and offering extensive interviews, the 83-year-old media mogul expressed dissatisfaction with the final product in a recent interview with The New York Times.

Stewart was particularly upset with the way the film’s editing and focus downplayed key aspects of her life. She claimed Cutler was given full access to her archives but barely used any of it, which she described as “shocking.” She also took issue with the documentary’s closing scenes, which show her walking gingerly in a garden. Stewart had recently undergone Achilles tendon surgery, and she felt the film unfairly depicted her as a “lonely old lady.” She argued that the film failed to explain her resilience, as she continued working despite her injury.

The documentary’s score and cinematography also failed to meet Stewart's expectations. She had requested a rap soundtrack, ideally featuring artists like Dr. Dre or Snoop Dogg (with whom she co-hosted a TV series), but the final cut used a classical score she found “lousy.” She also criticized Cutler for using unflattering camera angles despite having multiple options.

Another major point of contention was the film’s focus on her 2004 conviction for felony charges related to stock trading. Stewart felt the trial was given disproportionate attention, despite it being a small part of her long career. “It was less than two years out of an 83-year life,” she noted.

Despite these critiques, Stewart did appreciate parts of the documentary, especially its exploration of lesser-known aspects of her journey. She was heartened by feedback from young female viewers, who found strength in her story of overcoming challenges.

Cutler, for his part, responded by expressing pride in the film and admiration for Stewart’s trust in him, acknowledging that it’s difficult for anyone to watch a portrayal of themselves