Plot: An accompanying 3D concert film, documenting the Manchester shows and co-directed by Eilish and James Cameron.
Review: Look, I’m obviously a movie guy. I wouldn’t be writing for this site if I wasn’t. But if I’m being real, I’m a music guy first and foremost. Movies can pull out emotions I forgot I had, but music is the one thing that actually pierces my soul. Some people proudly show off their 4K collections on their shelves. I show off my vinyl. My taste goes all over the place, from hip hop to deathcore, and yeah, that includes pop like Chappell Roan or Olivia Rodrigo. But one modern pop artist who stands out amongst the biggest artists these days is Billie Eilish.
She and her brother, FINNEAS, remind me of the dynamic duo of Missy Elliott and Timbaland from back in the day. They don’t follow the usual pop trends or use a massive team of writers. They just stay in their own world by using weird sounds and keeping things stripped back in a way that feels more punk than anything else
With all the concert films hitting theaters lately, it’s been a nice way to dodge those insane Ticketmaster and Live Nation upcharges that’s basically a mortgage. But the big question is whether Hit Me Hard and Soft actually separates itself from stuff like the GUTS or Eras Tour films. The answer is yes. This feels more cinematic and immersive than your typical recorded stage show, but it’s also a reminder that making a concert feel bigger on screen doesn’t always make it better. One huge thing this film has that distances itself from those other heavy hitters is James Cameron. But even with a titan like him involved, he made it clear whose show this really was. He was basically there to give her the best toys in the business to capture what she already built.
That said, I had some gripes right out the gate. The sound mix is the first thing that hits you, and not always in a good way. The audience singing is almost as loud as Billie’s actual vocals. It was pretty jarring at first, and while I eventually got used to it as the film went on, it’s still a distraction. I also could have done with a lot less cutting to the crowd. There are some beautiful shots, like the audience holding up phone lights during “Wildflower,” but constantly seeing everyone’s mascara running and hearing their off-key voices pulled me out of the moment. We’ve all been at a show like that, but I don’t necessarily need to be reminded of it every thirty seconds.
Visually, the show is very minimalist. The stage is basically a big, empty void, and she’s got the band hidden away like an orchestra pit. She explains later that she wants it to feel like it’s just her and the fans, which I get emotionally, but for a movie, it can look a little sparse. The movie finally feels alive when that hidden energy breaks through, like when Billie grabs a camera herself during “Bad Guy” to show the band, or when the pyro finally kicks in for “Bury a Friend.” That’s where the grit is.
Where the film actually succeeds are in the smaller, human moments. Seeing her prep for the tour, doing her own hair and makeup, or FaceTiming her vocal coach makes the whole thing feel grounded. Possibly the sweetest moment in the film is where she shows Cameron a preshow ritual of having rescue dogs hang out with the crew to help release endorphins. But the most remarkable moment is where she gets the entire stadium to stay dead silent for a full minute while she loops her vocals for “When the Party’s Over.” It’s seriously impressive. That silence was way more powerful than any camera trick.
As a parent, I found myself raising an eyebrow with some of the going-ons with the crowd. It’s a bit of a trip watching a sea of preteens screaming every word to Charli XCX’s “Guess”, a song that definitely isn’t meant for a middle school dance, but then again, I said much worse going to Korn concerts at that age. You can’t deny the connection she has with them. She clearly loves her fans and wants to inspire the people who don’t feel seen, mostly because, as she says, she was in those same shoes not that long ago. Finally, by the time a surprise guest arrives to help close things out, wailing on the guitar during “Happier Than Ever” and “Birds of a Feather,” the energy is exactly where it needs to be.
At the end of the day, Billie Eilish is who carries this thing. She’s sincere, magnetic, and in complete control of the room. Fans are going to love it, and honestly, they should. But as a piece of cinema, I’m still not fully convinced Cameron’s name needed to be on the poster for this to work. The performance does the heavy lifting, and even with all the expensive toys in the world, the strongest moments are still the simplest ones.
Now, let’s bring on the NIN “Peel It Back Tour” movie.
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