by Nigel Hicks
Worth: $15.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Anaïs Gallagher, Andy Bell, Paul Arthurs, Gem Archer
Intro:
Fans (and potentially the brothers) will argue, but the whole thing goes about 30 minutes too long.
Following on from their phenomenally successful 2025 reunion tour, the feature length Oasis documentary, Don’t Look Back in Anger, is not only the title of one of their more successful songs but also the overriding theme of the film, written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). Oasis is of course fronted by Liam and Noel Gallagher, brothers with an acrimonious, sometimes violent past, and their rocky relationship caused the breakup of the band in 2009. It took 15 years for them to speak again, and this documentary highlights their success, and especially the reactions of the concert crowds.
The film starts with footage of Paris 2009, when a pulsing concert crowd is shocked by an announcement over a loudspeaker that the show will not happen because the Gallaghers had gotten into a fight backstage. This was the final straw, and the brothers had no contact until 2024.
This documentary is mostly made up of highlights of their 2025 shows, but there are several intermittent interviews throughout, mainly with Noel. He speaks candidly about the relationship with Liam, music, and the unexpected highs of touring again.
The dynamic between the brothers is interesting to watch, especially during the first and second rehearsals, after they have decided to reunite the band. First rehearsal, minus Liam, sees Noel in charge, shaping the music and the rest of the band members. The second rehearsal sees Liam present, taking charge, with Noel stepping back a bit. There is space where conflict would have erupted back in the day, but they both seem to want this reunion to happen.
With the live performances, the filmmakers have cleverly interspersed footage from the ‘90s. Liam looks older, but so much is the same – the casualwear, the sunglasses, the hands-behind-back mannerisms, and of course, his voice, which is still as strong and powerful as it was back in the early days, despite decades of the rock n roll lifestyle.
The popularity of Oasis cannot be underestimated. They claim that they have affected two generations. The crowd demographics support this. There are stadiums full of grown men and women, as well as teenagers, chanting Oasis, many weeping in joy. One memorable moment is after their first show in Cardiff, a teenage boy is left standing in ecstatic wonder as the crowd around him slowly dissipates. His joy and awe are apparent, as tears roll down his face – it is a beautiful, authentic moment to have caught on camera.
The tour crosses the globe, and there are segments with devoted fans from Brazil and Japan. When Oasis finally perform ‘Wonderwall’, it’s in Argentina, with 90000 fans, and the atmosphere is euphoric.
Fans (and potentially the brothers) will argue, but the whole thing goes about 30 minutes too long. It does trail on a bit at the end, with the Gallaghers’ thoughts on some of the lessons they’ve learned. They do use a lot of cliches, even if they mean it, and it does get preachy. But overall, the delight of so many full stadiums of fans is a wonder to watch. The music brings back such powerful memories for so many people. It was a reunion worth waiting for, know what I mean?
