The Billionaire, The Butler, and the Boyfriend
By Joly Herman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Wealth attracts con artists in treacherous true-crime show.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Billionaire, The Butler, and the Boyfriend
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In THE BILLIONAIRE, THE BUTLER, AND THE BOYFRIEND, Liliane Bettencourt, the heir to the largest cosmetic company in the world, is the wealthiest woman in the world. Her husband is an ambassador, but her daughter has grown distant. As Liliane passes from one event to another, her friends say she seems bored with it all. Then a jaunty photographer named Francois-Marie Banier traipses into her life, ushering in a chapter of excitement and celebration for the aging heiress. A few years go by, and this photographer becomes more intimate, and has more needs. People begin to wonder what his true intentions are. Will her family step in to ask hard questions? Where's all the money going?
Is It Any Good?
A true-crime story packed with intrigue, this show untangles a political and personal scandal of epic proportions. The Billionaire, the Butler, and the Boyfriend uses interviews from journalists, politicians, Bettencourt family friends, and a financial advisor who looks like the cat who ate the canary. The moral? The more money you have, the fewer people you can trust.
Visually, this show doesn't offer much to grab onto; the story is in the telling. Teens and parents who enjoy true crime shows and podcasts will like this the most, though the most chilling aspects don't have to do with murder. People interested in the politics of money will have lots to sink their teeth into.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about communication and secrets in The Billionaire, the Butler, and the Boyfriend. When do family members need to know what's going on in their loved ones' lives? When should people respect boundaries?
Empathy plays a key role in this series -- the people who ask for money use empathy to get in Mrs. Bettencourt's good graces. How can having good boundaries keep people safe?
It can be courageous to stand up for someone, even if it means damaging other relationships. Can you name some ways you've had the courage to stand up for your beliefs?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 8, 2023
- Cast: Liliane Bettencourt
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Activism , Friendship , History
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: November 10, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
True Crime TV for Teens
True Crime Podcasts for Kids, Tweens, and Teens
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate