The Travis Jeffries documentary, titled Travis, first aired back in 1998, but the film has been circulating this week after a viral TikTok on the case. If you want to give it a watch, there’s only one way to stream it online.
Every month, streaming services drop a whole host of new documentary content for differing interests. Over the next week alone, Netflix’s American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden will finally get its release date after an unexpected delay.
A Deadly American Marriage, about the Jason Corbett and Molly Martens case, has arrived, while the sports docu-series Untold has three new films coming out, the latest centering on the Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton locker room controversy.
But it’s not only the newest titles that capture viewers’ attention. Thanks to platforms like TikTok and Reddit, new generations can discover forgotten yet important documentaries. That’s exactly what’s happened with Travis. Warning: some may find this content distressing.
How to watch Travis Jeffries documentary
As of May 2025, the only way to watch Travis in the US is via Icarus Films, a North American distributor of documentary content. Right now, it costs the platform’s standard rental rate of $4.99 for a 72-hour period.
There is another way to watch it, but it’ll cost you and it doesn’t involve streaming. Icarus Films also has an option to buy a DVD of the doc, but it’s for colleges, government agencies, and hospitals for educational purposes, meaning it’s $248.00. So, your best bet is to rent it for now.
What’s it about?
Created by late filmmaker Richard Kotuk, the documentary follows Travis Jeffries, a young boy from South Bronx who contracted HIV from his mother. Kotuk documented three years of his life, starting when he was just six years old, at which point the HIV had developed into AIDS.
As per Icarus Films, “When we first meet him, Travis is six and has been unable to eat for months due to intractable sores on his mouth, esophagus and stomach. Filmed over the next three years, Travis chronicles his daily life together with his grandmother, Mrs. Geneva Jefferies.
“They live in Highbridge, a predominantly African American and Latino neighborhood in the South Bronx, in which one of every twenty teenagers is HIV positive. Travis contracted the HIV virus from his mother Samantha, a crack-cocaine user who is largely absent from his life.
“The tireless efforts of his grandmother, though, come through forcefully. Mrs. Jefferies… has found ways to keep her large family of 11 children and 33 grandchildren together while caring for Travis, ministering to his constant medical needs, and answering his many questions about the very grown-up illness he faces.”
It goes on to state that the documentary follows the development of the disease, and how the anti-retroviral drugs Travis had been taking, including AZT, started to lose their effectiveness.
“His primary care physician Dr. Heidi Beutler at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center decides to treat him with protease inhibitors, powerful anti-viral drugs that have been shown to be successful in adults but have never been tried on children,” it continues.
The film went on to win a Peabody Award, with the organization explaining that while Travis faced significant adversity, “there is also radiance and an intelligence in Travis, who manages to find joy in his life of constant struggle through the help of his grandmother.”
Renewed interest in the doc was sparked this week when TikToker @woah_202 shared a clip in which Travis is asked whether he’s angry at his mother, to which he says, “Why should I be mad at my momma? It wasn’t her fault.”
Alongside the clip, they wrote, “This documentary was so sad.” Since being uploaded on May 7, 2025, it’s been viewed more than 1.8 million times. As said by one viewer, “Kids will always love their moms. No matter what!”
Another commented, “You can tell she was beating herself up and down for it. Him saying that gave her some sense of relief… regardless.” A third added, “This epidemic was so tragic.”
Where is Travis Jeffries now?
You’ll be pleased to know Travis Jeffries pulled through and is living a happy, healthy life in New York, where he regularly shares updates about his life and activities on his YouTube channel.
As stated on the Peabody Award listing, “It is ironic that the filmmaker died suddenly at age 55, not long after the completion of this project, and that today, Travis continues to enjoy a rich and robust life.
“In tribute to a documentarian who devoted his life’s work and ultimately, his life itself to the study of integration, education, racism, poverty, health care, and AIDS, a Peabody Award to Richard Kotuk, ITVS, and City People Productions for Travis.”
Since the clip of the documentary went viral on TikTok, commenters have been sharing messages of support on Travis’ channel. “Praise God you’re still with us. Just got finished watching the documentary. God bless you,” said one, to which Travis replied, “Thank you, I’m blessed to still be here.”
“It makes me so happy to see you thriving, Travis. I love your videos,” said another, while a third added, “You are beautiful Travis! You have a lot of people on TikTok who have watched your documentary from when you were younger! We love you.” Travis has responded to all of the comments expressing his gratitude.
For more documentary news, find out how to watch Louis Theroux’s The Settlers, To Dye For, and the new Madeleine McCann doc.