DMX: Don't Try to Understand
Promotional poster
Directed by	Christopher Frierson Clark Slater
Produced by	Robert Alexander Christopher Frierson Pat Gallo Sean Gordon-Loebl Barak Moffitt Steve Rifkind Daniel Seliger Clark Slater
Starring	DMX
Cinematography	Christopher Frierson Sean Gordon-Loebl Travis Libin Clark Slater John Tashiro
Edited by	Matt Kliegman Clark Slater James Thayer Steve Waite
Music by	Jackson Greenberg
Production companies	HBO Documentary Films Ringer Films
Distributed by	HBO
Release dates	November 23, 2021 (2021-11-23) (Doc NYC) November 25, 2021 (2021-11-25) (HBO Max)
Running time	79 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

DMX: Don't Try to Understand is a 2021 American documentary film directed by Christopher Frierson and Clark Slater. The film follows a year in the life of American rapper DMX. It was released on HBO Max on November 25, 2021.

The film is focused on a year in the life of DMX, following him after his release from prison (after serving a year for tax evasion) in January 2019 as he attempts to rebuild his music career and reconnect with family. It also tracks his career, from his rough upbringing in Yonkers, New York, to his successful debut in the late 1990s. The rapper died on April 9, 2021.^[1][2]

• Earl "DMX" Simmons
• Desiree Lindstrom
• Tashera Simmons
• Xavier Simmons
• Exodus Simmons

In December 2020, the film was picked up by HBO/Ringer Films and added to the Music Box series, executive produced by Bill Simmons.^[2] It had its world premiere at Doc NYC on November 23, 2021, and on HBO on November 25, 2021.^[3]

Julian Kimble of GQ called the film "a difficult watch," concluding that "DMX died trying to do right, but unable to escape demons that followed him for decades."^[4] Johnny Loftus of Decider wrote, "With its equal notes of resilience, chronic self-destruction, outsized talent, and a troubled personal life, DMX: Don't Try to Understand offers a compelling portrait of a rapper gone too soon."^[5]

• DMX: Don't Try to Understand at IMDb