Preparing for My Netflix Documentary Trend: Why It's Going Viral, What Brands Can Learn
- Bennett Creative
- 23 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you spend as much time on TikTok and Instagram as we do, you've probably seen the "Preparing for My Netflix Documentary" trend. The viral video format features creators dramatically walking toward an empty chair set up for an Netflix style interview, before revealing a humorous text overlay about some cheeky take or observation.
While the trend is entertaining, it's also a fascinating example of visual storytelling, something that businesses and marketers can learn from. We're breaking down why this trend works and how brands can use similar storytelling techniques to create engaging social media content.
Like many viral social media trends, the "Preparing for My Netflix Documentary" meme looks incredibly simple on the surface. But beneath the humor is a surprisingly sophisticated lesson in visual storytelling, audience psychology, and internet culture.
The trend did take a heartbreaking turn this week after an Oklahoma mother who participated in the viral format was allegedly killed by her ex-husband, drawing national attention to the unintended consequences that can arise when deeply personal relationships intersect with social media.
While the tragedy is not representative of the trend itself, it sparked broader conversations about online expression, digital footprints, and how seemingly lighthearted content can become part of much larger real-world stories. It's a sobering reminder that social media trends don't exist in a vacuum. They often reflect, influence, and occasionally become intertwined with events far beyond the screen.
At Bennett Creative, an Austin video production company and social media agency, we spend a lot of time studying why certain videos spread while others disappear. Trends come and go every week, but the best ones teach us something about how audiences think, how stories are told, and why certain creative choices resonate.
This trend does all three.
What Is the "Preparing for My Netflix Documentary" Trend?
The "Preparing for My Netflix Documentary" trend is a short-form video format popular on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts that parodies one of the most recognizable scenes in modern documentary filmmaking.
Instead of immediately delivering a joke or story, creators begin by recreating the familiar visual language of a Netflix documentary interview.
The camera remains fixed, an empty chair waits in the center of the frame. The subject slowly walks into view and sits down with quiet seriousness, maybe even a heavy sigh or fidgeting, and clips on a mic (or pretends to). Then the overlay text reveals the absurdly insignificant, hilarious or niche topic they're supposedly preparing to discuss.
That's the joke.
The audience immediately recognizes the setup because streaming platforms have conditioned us to expect a dramatic confession whenever someone slowly approaches an interview chair. We've all watched enough true crime series, celebrity exposés, and investigative documentaries to understand exactly what's happening before a single word is spoken.
Before anyone even speaks, we already know the visual language. Our brains anticipate an earth-shattering, dramatic revelation.
Instead, the creator tells us they're preparing to discuss why they still think about a mildly embarrassing interaction from third grade.
The contrast between cinematic seriousness and complete triviality is what makes the trend funny.
Unlike many social media trends that depend on dancing, lip-syncing, or complicated editing, this format relies almost entirely on storytelling. The humor comes from shared cultural understanding rather than production complexity.
Why Is the Netflix Documentary Trend Going Viral?
The biggest reason this trend is exploding is because it's built around something marketers rarely talk about: visual shorthand.
Every generation develops visual cues that immediately communicate meaning.
A shaky handheld camera feels authentic. A slow-motion entrance feels heroic. Black-and-white footage feels nostalgic.
Likewise, a stationary interview chair has become shorthand for "this person is about to reveal the biggest twist in the story."
Streaming platforms, especially Netflix, have spent years teaching audiences this cinematic language. Viewers don't consciously think about it, but after watching countless documentaries, they instinctively understand what that shot means.
The trend succeeds because it weaponizes that expectation. The setup suggests extraordinary importance but the payoff delivers something funny or low-key. Comedy often lives in contrast, and this trend creates one of the strongest contrasts possible.
It's also incredibly accessible. You don't need expensive equipment, special effects or scripting or actors. You only need an empty chair, a phone camera, and a funny observation. That low barrier to entry has made the trend remarkably easy for creators, brands, and businesses to adapt.
Another reason the format performs so well is because viewers understand the joke before they finish reading the caption. On social media, speed matters. The faster someone understands your concept, the more likely they are to keep watching. This trend communicates its premise almost instantly: the chair alone tells half the story, the text delivers the punchline.
That combination creates high watch time and encourages sharing because audiences immediately want to think of their own version.
How Do You Recreate the Netflix Documentary Trend?
One reason this trend has become so popular is because, as mentioned, it’s simple. Unlike some trends, no Capcut editing needs to be involved because the formula is surprisingly simple.
First, place a chair in a quiet room with plenty of negative space around it. The empty chair is an important part of the visual because it builds anticipation before anyone enters the frame.
Next, lock your camera into a stationary position. Resist the temptation to zoom, pan, or add unnecessary movement. Documentary interviews often feel intentionally restrained, and that stillness helps sell the joke.
Then comes the performance.
Walk into frame slowly. Pull out the chair naturally. Sit down deliberately. Pause for a moment before looking toward the camera or slightly off-camera, as if an interviewer has just asked an incredibly serious question. Clip on a microphone. Finally, reveal your punchline using on-screen text.
The best versions aren't random. They're relatable or making a cultural observation.Instead of trying to invent something outrageous, successful creators usually exaggerate everyday experiences people secretly obsess over or cultural moments that are trending.
Examples include:
Preparing for my Netflix documentary about why I still replay every awkward conversation from 2017.
Preparing for my Netflix documentary about surviving my first week at corporate America.
Preparing for my Netflix documentary about ordering "you too" after the waiter told me to enjoy my meal.
The more universal the experience, the more likely viewers are to comment, share, and tag friends.
What Song Is Used in the Netflix Documentary Trend?
Most creators participating in the "Preparing for My Netflix Documentary" trend use "On a Mission" by Duomo, an instrumental track that perfectly matches the cinematic feel of a dramatic documentary interview.
The slow, suspenseful build immediately signals to viewers that something serious is about to be revealed, making the eventual punchline even funnier.
That said, the audio isn't the reason the trend works.
The real magic is in the visual storytelling. The stationary camera, the empty chair, the slow walk into frame, and the deliberate pause all recreate the familiar language of a Netflix-style documentary. By the time the text appears, viewers already understand the joke before a single word is spoken.
For brands, that's actually great news. Rather than relying on a trending sound that may fade (or using copyrighted music that could get you sued) you can focus on recreating the recognizable look and pacing of the trend. Great storytelling isn't tied to one audio clip; it's created through thoughtful framing, timing, and anticipation.
That's a valuable lesson for any business creating video content. Trends come and go, but strong visual storytelling has a much longer shelf life. When your videos communicate an idea instantly through composition, pacing, and emotion, they're far more likely to connect with your audience—whether you're creating a TikTok, Instagram Reel, or a professionally produced brand video.
How Can Businesses Use the Netflix Documentary Trend for Marketing?
Here's where this trend becomes especially interesting.
Many brands assume trends only work for consumer products or influencer content, but that's simply not true. The best trends translate because they're built on recognizable storytelling formats rather than specific products. For businesses, this format becomes a humorous way to acknowledge shared experiences within an industry.
Imagine a marketing agency posting: "Preparing for my Netflix documentary about the client who requested 'one tiny edit'..."
An accounting firm might joke about tax season.
A gym could reference January memberships.
A coffee shop could joke about the morning rush.
A law firm could poke fun at impossible client expectations.
The trend works because every industry has experiences that insiders immediately recognize. At Bennett Creative, we'd encourage brands to think beyond the joke itself. Ask what recurring situations your audience experiences. What do customers constantly complain about? What assumptions do they make? What stories does everyone in your industry understand?
Those moments often become the strongest social content because they create instant community. When audiences feel seen, they're far more likely to engage. That's exactly what modern social media algorithms reward.
Why This Trend Works From a Marketing Perspective
One of the biggest mistakes brands make is assuming viral content is random. It isn't.
Most successful trends share several characteristics: They communicate quickly, rely on familiar visual language, invite participation, and encourage viewers to imagine their own version.
The Netflix documentary trend checks every box. It also demonstrates something professional filmmakers have understood for decades. Visuals tell stories long before dialogue begins. Before a creator even sits down, viewers already know what's happening. That's incredibly powerful.
Good marketing works the same way. The strongest advertisements often communicate emotion before anyone speaks. The best product videos establish mood within seconds. The most memorable campaigns create immediate recognition through composition, pacing, lighting, and framing.
Those aren't accidental creative decisions. They're storytelling techniques, and this TikTok trend proves audiences recognize them instinctively.
Should Your Brand Jump on This Trend?
The short answer? Maybe. Not every trend fits every business.
The goal should never be to participate simply because something is popular. Instead, ask whether the format naturally aligns with your brand personality. Can you create a version that's genuinely funny? Will your audience understand the reference? Does it reinforce your brand rather than distract from it?
If the answer is yes, this trend offers an opportunity to show personality without requiring a large production budget. If the answer is no, it's perfectly acceptable to let it pass.
One of the biggest misconceptions about social media marketing is that brands need to participate in every trend. They don't. Consistency beats frequency, authenticity beats imitation.
A well-executed trend that feels true to your brand will outperform ten forced attempts to stay relevant.
What Businesses Can Learn From the Netflix Documentary Trend
Whether this trend disappears next week or sticks around for another month, its success highlights an important lesson for marketers.
People don't just consume content. They consume familiar stories.
The "Preparing for My Netflix Documentary" trend isn't funny because of a chair, it's funny because audiences instantly recognize an entire storytelling convention from a single visual. That's incredibly efficient communication.
As video creators and marketers, that's the standard we should strive for. Every frame should communicate something, every shot should establish emotion, every creative decision should support the story you're trying to tell.
The best marketing doesn't simply explain a message, it makes audiences feel like they're already part of the story.
Looking for Video Content That Connects With Your Audience?
Social media trends come and go, but great storytelling never goes out of style.
At Bennett Creative, we're more than an Austin video production company. We're a creative partner that helps brands turn ideas into engaging video content, social media campaigns, commercials, branded documentaries, podcasts, and digital marketing strategies that people actually want to watch.
From high-end commercial production to trend-inspired social content, our team helps businesses create videos that feel authentic, memorable, and built for today's platforms without sacrificing long-term brand value.
If you're looking for a video production company in Austin, Texas or a social media agency that understands both cinematic storytelling and modern digital marketing, we'd love to help.
Because while internet trends may be temporary, great stories have a much longer shelf life.
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