The first reviews for the new Oasis film have landed after its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 5. Don't Look Back In Anger, directed by Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern, features behind-the-scenes footage from the band's Live '25 reunion tour and the Gallagher brothers' first joint interview since the gigs began last July. The film was written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and will be released in cinemas on Wednesday (September 9), with a streaming debut on Disney+ later this year.
Critics praise 'beautiful, emotional' documentary
The documentary has been hailed as both a 'beautiful, emotional thing' and 'powerfully nostalgic'. In a review for the Manchester Evening News, What's On editor Jenna Campbell called it a 'triumphant homage to Manchester's favourite sons', but noted a series of 'tense' and 'even a little stilted' initial interactions between the brothers as they began rehearsals for the 41-date tour.
Campbell wrote: "There is no other way around it, what you watch is utterly captivating. Whether you were there or not, you feel part of it again - the tears, the sheer euphoria of people dancing and singing their hearts out - it's pure alchemy. There's plenty of humour too, as the two personalities collide and eventually find a meeting point." She added: "Underpinning it, though, is the story arc of the brother's relationship. Those first few scenes of rehearsals feel like things remain unsaid, but rather than thrash it out, the gigs themselves feel like the perfect remedy for years of misunderstanding, miscommunication and growing distance."
Five-star reviews and high praise
Time Out Worldwide's film editor Phil de Semlyen gave the film a five-star review, describing it as 'loud, hopeful and surprisingly emotional'. TheWrap's Siddhant Adlakha said it could 'turn agnostics into believers'. The Hollywood Reporter's Richard Lawson called it a 'rich and poignant celebration', writing that directors 'Lovelace and Southern have compellingly stitched together interviews, performance clips, audience reactions, and a few detours into the lives of individual fans'. He also noted it may be the most expletive-laden film to arrive on Disney+ yet.
Lawson added that the brothers' interviews are 'charmingly self-effacing and humble', which goes against their usual press reputation, suggesting they may be 'putting on a good act for the cameras'. NME's Rhian Daly said the 'masterfully done doc captures [the Gallagher's] journey', and that 'watching the pair repair their relationship is a beautiful, emotional thing'.
Four-star reviews and mixed notes
The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw gave the film four stars, calling it a 'mammoth tour movie' that 'brings the joy and poignancy of reunion' to the big screen. He added: "It was always difficult to be cynical about Oasis and now it's impossible." The Telegraph's Robbie Collin also awarded four stars, saying it is 'powerfully nostalgic' but slightly lacking in 'Gallagher gossip' or drama.
IndieWire's Marshall Shaffer downplayed the on-screen drama, writing: "Anyone expecting fireworks, or even a confrontation of any kind, may be sorely disappointed by how anticlimactic the moment proves." However, he said the film 'offers a definitive behind-the-scenes glimpse of how this secular sanctuary came to be'.
The film's release comes as rumours mount over the band's 2027 touring schedule, with leaks suggesting they could announce at least 23 UK dates over the summer, including a 12-night residency at Manchester's Etihad Stadium. The band have also been adding to the speculation with a series of cryptic videos hinting towards Glasgow, Manchester and Munich.
