Flea Approves of Netflix's Hillel Slovak Documentary

The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist says the film 'filled my heart right to the top'.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:34am

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Flea has given his seal of approval to the new Netflix documentary 'The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hillel', which explores the early years of the band and the impact of their original guitarist Hillel Slovak, who died in 1988. Although the band initially distanced themselves from the project, Flea has now expressed his gratitude that the film exists and that more people will learn about how much Slovak meant to the band as a friend and bandmate.

Why it matters

The documentary's use of AI technology to bring Slovak's own voice to life through his journals has generated significant interest and discussion around the ethics and implications of using such technology. Flea's endorsement of the film helps validate the project and shed light on the band's continued reverence for their former member.

The details

In January, the Red Hot Chili Peppers clarified that while they gave interviews for the documentary, it was not an 'official' band documentary. However, Flea has now shared his positive reaction to the film, stating that it is 'beautifully made' and 'filled my heart right to the top, not without a good dose of lifelong melancholy.' The documentary made headlines for its use of AI to regenerate Slovak's voice from his journals.

  • The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel debuted on Netflix on March 20, 2026.
  • In January 2026, the Red Hot Chili Peppers distanced themselves from the documentary on Instagram.

The players

Flea

The bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who has expressed his approval of the Netflix documentary about the band's former guitarist Hillel Slovak.

Hillel Slovak

The original guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who died in 1988 of an accidental heroin overdose. The documentary explores his impact on the band's early years.

Anthony Kiedis

The frontman of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who reflected on Slovak's legacy and the band's early years in a recent NME interview.

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What they’re saying

“I finally watched the new documentary about Hillel Slovak. I'm so grateful it exists, and that more people will know how much he meant and continues to mean to us as a friend and bandmate. It is a beautifully made film and filled my heart right to the top, not without a good dose of lifelong melancholy. Hillel forever.”

— Flea, Bassist, Red Hot Chili Peppers

“The energy of Hillel Slovak has never truly faded. I wish Hillel hadn't missed out on that first recording [self-titled debut 'The Red Hot Chili Peppers'] in the first year. We did some TV shows in 1984 and I look at them now and think: 'Damn, I wish Hillel would have been there for that. He was a creator of the band. That was his baby.' Anyway, it was meant to be the way it was meant to be and it all fleshed out the way life goes… But Hillel's still there in our hearts, whether it's 30, 40, 50, 60 or even 100.”

— Anthony Kiedis, Frontman, Red Hot Chili Peppers

The takeaway

The Red Hot Chili Peppers' continued reverence for their former guitarist Hillel Slovak, even decades after his passing, highlights the enduring impact he had on the band and their music. Flea's endorsement of the Netflix documentary suggests it may help introduce Slovak's legacy to a new generation of fans.