“The red light goes on, and what the hell have you got?”

Story: Well’p. It’s a documentary. So it’s basically the story of how Dominic Richard Harrison – aka Yungblud – recorded a live version of his 4th studio album, Idols at Hansa Studios, Berlin. It’s also much more than that.

Genre I’d put it in: Deeply Affecting Music Documentaries
Release Date: 2025
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: See Story paragraph above. Because I’m abnormally lazy.

Gotta say: In 2023, my niece Lucie said she bought us tickets to see Yungblud. Mostly because her mom wasn’t feeling the pit. But I was like HELL YEAH BABY I’M IN…who’s Yungblud? After that night, I was a fan. Yungblud (whom I’ll call Dom from now on, to differentiate him from the band in toto) is an incredible songwriter, talented musician, and has some serious pipes on him. But a few years went by, and while I enjoyed the hell out of his three albums (still do), I kinda didn’t think much about the band or Dom, figuring I’d hear something when his next album dropped. And honey? We all did.

Chalk up part of that to his mind-blowing first single off Idols, “Hello Heaven, Hello”. An rock-operatic nine minute monster of a single that blew my doors off. I’ve always been a fan of long-form songs, and this one feels like it can take it’s place with the greats. I waited patiently (sure) for the full album to drop. Then, of course, came his July 5th performance at the “Back to the Beginning” concert for Black Sabbath, honoring Ozzy Osbourne. His cover of “Changes” brought the entire stadium into his orbit, and things haven’t been the same. Hell, his entire USA tour is completely sold out, so Boy is your chance to catch his electrifying in-person self. At least for this year. Unless you’ve got money out the wazz, in which case? Honey, I’m jealous AF. If , like me, you don’t? Boy is a worthy substitute for breathing the same air as the man and his incredible band.

Boy is part concert, part music documentary, and part a soul-searing look into one of rock’s freshest, most powerful new voices. (Though I should use new in quotes, as Yungblud has been around since 2015.) It’s an intimate look at how an artist makes music, balances life and art, and treads the line between openness and privacy. Dom holds nothing back in interviews, and puts himself completely into each performance in this film. His emotional honesty is staggering. It’s one thing to hear a performer’s emotions on a track, it’s quite another to actually see that artist put their heart and soul on the line. Boy gives viewers that, and while saying someone is “brave” is typically faint praise? Here, I mean it with my whole heart. That level of putting-it-out-there is jaw-dropping.

It’s easy to say it’s simply because we’re getting access to a talented performer, and his band/BFFs/crew, just before they explode. I don’t think that’s it. I believe it’s more likely a glimpse into the life of a performer who’s finally, solidly  in his own space. At the end of the film, he’s asked if how he is now is a product of “pressure, or is it freedom”. Dom doesn’t hesitate for one minute when he says “…freedom…”.

Director Paul Dugdale, a director with a slew of awards and nominations for his music documentaries, balances musical performance and in-depth moments with Dom, his band mates, his writer/producer Matt Schultz, and many more. From the circle-track camera setups to the brilliant editing that captures the vibe of each song (and each emotional point in various interviews/moments with the band and their crew), Boy is a master class in getting music on film. Dom is generous with his praise for the talent surrounding him, and it’s clear the connection they all have is deep. Dugdale focuses on the way everyone comes together to bring out the best music they possibly can. I’m betting there’ll be bands out there jealous as hell after watching this.

Honestly? I took notes all through this film. Jotted down so much stuff. So. Much. Stuff. I could go on and on, writing a two hour treatise on how this is quite possibly the music documentary of the year, or at least one that deserves a ton of award nods. And I’m sure I’ll be kicking myself for leaving something out that I’d really wanted to mention. I’ll simply end with this; catch this one if you can. This one’s for music lovers, for movie students who are looking for killer examples of music documentaries, and for anyone who loves the medium of cinema. Sorry, got up my own ass with that last bit. But I’m standing by it. Like Dom/Yungblud in this film, I stand by what I’m putting out into the world. However, comparatively? I’m rather shit at it. Boy, and the folks you’ll see in this film, are much, much better.

#Protip: Check out the music video for “Zombie”. It features Florence Pugh and, to quote Dom himself, is a “love letter to nurses”. Powerful stuff.