The future on screen · Netflix
Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, what the evidence says about longevity
What the film covers, where its subjects stand on the 311 Starburst and what leaders should take from it.
What it covers
About the film
A Netflix documentary film, released on 1 January 2025 and directed by Chris Smith for Library Films, about entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who spends heavily on anti-ageing research and treatments using himself as the test subject. It follows his routine, his medical trips and his family life, and asks what drives the attempt to live much longer.
- Broadcaster
- Netflix
- Made by
- Library Films
- First shown
- 1 January 2025 (Netflix)
What the evidence says
Where longevity stands in 2026
The 311 Starburst maps when each emerging technology and trend is expected to reach wide use. These are the entries that match this subject, with their status today.
- Technology · BiotechAnti-Ageing Drugs
Anti-ageing drugs are medicines meant to slow, stop or even reverse ageing in the body. Some are being tested, but none can yet stop ageing.
- Expected wide use
- 2048
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 5 of 9
- Technology · BiotechEpigenetic Ageing Clocks
Epigenetic ageing clocks are computer tools that guess how old your body is from tags on your DNA. They help test whether anti-ageing treatments work.
- Expected wide use
- 2032
- Status in 2026
- Explore
- Readiness
- TRL 8 of 9
- Technology · BiotechSenolytics
Senolytics are drugs that clear out old, worn-out cells that stop dividing. Scientists also study the signals these cells send, hoping to treat age-related disease.
- Expected wide use
- 2045
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 5 of 9
- Technology · BiotechIn Vivo Gene Therapy
In vivo gene therapy fixes faulty genes inside the body. It aims to treat inherited diseases without lifelong drugs or surgery.
- Expected wide use
- 2049
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 8 of 9
- Trend · SocietalAgeing Population
- Expected wide use
- 2010
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Trend · Workforce TrendsLonger Working Lives
- Expected wide use
- 2024
- Status in 2026
- Act now
Source: the 311 Starburst, researched by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (data built 2026-10-28). Status rings: Act now means wide use by 2027, Prepare 2028 to 2030, Explore 2031 to 2035, Watch 2036 or later. Explore the Starburst Centre.
311 analysis
What leaders should take from it
- Longevity is a consumer market already, well ahead of the science; expect claims to outrun evidence.
- Ageing clocks will measure health before therapies can change it, which raises questions for insurers and employers.
- The certain change is demographic: older populations and longer careers. Plan for that first.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
Next steps
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Answers
Common questions
Who directed Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever?
Chris Smith directed it for Library Films. Netflix released it on 1 January 2025.
Do anti-ageing treatments work?
None has been shown to extend the human lifespan. The 311 Starburst places anti-ageing drugs in its Watch ring, with expected wide use in 2048.