In July of 2019, A$AP Rocky was arrested in Sweden and charged on suspicion of assault after a violent incident that was provoked by two young men went public. A video shared by TMZ went viral, and it didn’t help that their clickbait headline wasn’t an accurate depiction of what actually happened. In the new documentary Stockholm Syndrome, the Swedish authorities were going to make an example out of A$AP Rocky, and it didn’t matter whether the punishment fit the “crime.”

Directed by The Architects, Stockholm Syndrome shows how A$AP Rocky addresses that time in his life when money or fame couldn’t get him out of legal problems, no matter how unfair and racially motivated they seemed to be.

The documentary goes in-depth into the early life of A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers. Even as a child, his mother and his friends all considered him to be a pioneer and trendsetter whose natural born talent never went unnoticed.

Speaking directly to the camera, A$AP Rocky reflects back on his upbringing, growing up with a father in prison and without black peers in school. He found refuge in music and the authenticity in his words connected with so many, catapulting him into superstardom.

About half of Stockholm Syndrome covers the arrest and trial of A$AP Rocky, in real time. Playing out like a courtroom drama with the engaging Slobodan Jovicic as A$AP Rocky’s defense attorney and former President Donald Trump’s unrequested involvement, the energy and anticipation is thrilling to watch, even if we already know what happens. The film also gathers interviews from his friends and industry peers, including Kim Kardashian (ex-West).

A$AP Rocky has an “Everything happens for a reason,” attitude about life. He is earnest when he admits that many rappers flaunt their struggles for clout, but that is something he will never do. His humble, down to Earth persona is refreshing and unexpected for such a big celebrity, and The Architects captured this perfectly. I didn’t know much about his life before, but after Stockholm Syndrome, I feel like I know not just A$AP Rocky, but Rakim Mayers too.

And because I know you’re all wondering, yes – Rihanna does make a cameo as well.