When a renowned filmmaker like Frank Zarrillo sets sights on a personality as unpredictable and explosive as Mike Matusow, you can expect something far from ordinary. We recently got a chance to sit down with Zarrillo and talk about his intense new documentary ‘Matusow’, which you can watch below.
Zarrillo is no stranger to emotional storytelling. Hailing from New Jersey, Zarrillo made early waves with The Wrestler: A Q.T. Marshall Story, which earned ‘Best Documentary’ honors at San Diego Comic-Con. In his latest documentary ‘Matusow’, Zarrillo turns the camera toward poker’s high-stakes drama, spotlighting the volatile journey of four-time WSOP winner Mike Matusow.
In our interview, Zarrillo opened up about what pulled him into Mike’s chaotic orbit. It wasn’t just the fame or controversy surrounding the player, but the battle behind the scenes. The addiction. The breakdowns. The relentless drive to come back. He followed Mike over months, capturing everything from fiery table talk to moments of crushing self-doubt.
Zarrillo included real audio of breakdowns and behind-the-scenes struggles that most wouldn’t dare to show. Yet it never feels exploitative. Just honest.
We asked about Mike’s cooperation during filming, and Zarrillo admitted there were moments of pushback. But overall, Matusow was willing to be vulnerable, and that’s what makes this film hit harder than most poker docs.
The poker documentary also features appearances by poker icons like Phil Hellmuth Jr. and Daniel Negreanu, but it’s Mike’s emotional journey that steals the spotlight. Even if you have never played a poker hand, the raw intensity of this journey is impossible to ignore.
Zarrillo’s passion for telling real, human stories comes through in every frame. More than a poker biography, it’s a raw exploration of how success can quietly unravel a life.
PokerProNews’ Candid Chat With Frank Zarrillo
Don’t miss our full interview with Frank Zarrillo—an inside look at the making of one of the most brutally honest poker documentaries ever made.
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