Live events are booming in India, but remain a luxury for most. Concert films offer desi fans the next-best, affordable way to experience magic international stars
Rating: 
(3 / 5)
By Mayur Lookhar
The euphoria and debate around Michael (2026) hasn’t ’t settled yet, and we’re already getting another film celebrating a modern-day pop icon. This isn’t a biopic, so it can’t be viewed through the usual critical lens of a feature film. It’s a concert film, the third from American pop sensation Billie Eilish, featuring performances from her seventh headlining concert tour, Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (2025), which was staged across the U.S., North America, Europe, and Australia. It’s especially notable because it’s helmed by James Cameron.
Far away in Mumbai, the desi viewer gets a near-concert experience, in 3D. Still just 24 and 11 years into her music career, and a winner of two Academy Awards and multiple Grammys, Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell has become one of the most loved pop icons of the current era. Honestly, we had heard only a couple of her chartbusters, (Ocean Eyes) but this concert film sensitizes us to her talent, stage artistry, and music, as well as what happens on stage, beneath it, and a little about the artist herself – though all of it remains confined to the concert arena. In a nutshell, this is Billie’s world for you.
Having never attended an international singing star’s concert, mostly due to affordability, a concert film adds to the challenge for your reviewer. At 112 minutes, and mostly capturing her live performances, how does one review a concert film, honestly? It doesn’t fit the bill for a documentary either. Our limited exposure to Eilish’s music serves as a boon, with this concert film acting as a gateway to her musical world. The music speaks for itself, but what else does this concert film have to offer?
What’s a star without fans? Through the different concerts, you learn a few things about Billie Eilish fans – most of them expectedly young, cutting across different ethnicities, and visibly largely female. All those featured here mostly speak in a common tone: “We feel empowered through her music.” Most are shedding tears during the concert, especially those closest to the live action. Most seem genuine, while we felt some got a bit too emotional. Billie Eilish expresses gratitude for their love – one eye-catching moment is how she looks down from a window and sends a notification on her social media, urging those fans to look up. In the next few seconds, all those below are delighted to get a wave from their beloved singer; a few seconds later, dozens more throng to the ground area. Eilish compares her (concert) world to hanging out with friends.
It’s nice to see how the makers show sensitivity to the plight of epileptic patients in their disclaimer. The reason: a 3D concert film with flashing lights, strobe effects, and rapid visual changes from the live performances can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy.
Eilish’s music is globally renowned, this concert film also briefly gives an insight into the person behind the phenomenon. Named after her grandfather, Billie also has Pirate as a unique middle name, given to her by her brother and co-artist Finneas O’Connel. The Eilish traces to her Irish roots, where it is Irish form of Elizabeth. Her parents though were touched by Irish conjoined twins Kate and Eilish Holton, the latter being the primary inspiration behind naming the daughter Eilish. She was born to the actor couple Maggie Baird (actress, singer, screenwriter) and Patrick O’Connell (actor). These personal details aren’t covered in the film, but is likely to intrigue the desi viewers.
On the personal front, Billie defines her vision for her music and the inspiration behind that rapper-like on-stage persona. No disrespect to others, but glamour and skin show sell – yet to Billie, often performing in a street-athlete, rap-ready tomboy avatar is a tribute to hip-hop while helping her stand out from her peers. After all, every artist feels comfortable in their own skin. Her on-stage artistry is peculiar too, especially that performance while lying down on the mobile stage – then another act sees her holding a selfie camera in one hand while continuing to sing with the mic in the other. Jeez, that’s some hard work. To think that she’s mostly all by herself with the musicians a good few yards away on a huge stage – Billie Eilish stands out as a solo artist in her live performances. Living such a life all these years comes with its own challenges and its own sense of stress-buster. To Billie, her band, and her family, dog love is the best way to release oxytocin and serotonin.
In this concert film, James Cameron’s brand cannot be masked. As the director, he was perhaps cajoled by Billie into making the odd in-camera appearance too. He’s most likely captured the behind-the-scenes footage, also popping in a few questions. Their collective vision helps the film achieve its objective – to celebrate Billie’s music and give an in-stadium fan experience. It hits you hard; it hits you soft. Billie’s brother Finneas, too, perhaps chose to go under the radar, but he joins his sister in the final performances.
Conventional reviewing is thrown out right at the onset, but perhaps a little more conversation and revelations would have been welcome. However, concert films have perhaps become a safer, more viable option for artists , music labels, and film studios. Make millions globally through concerts, then tap them into a concert film, later release it on OTT- the dollars just keep piling up.
Live events are booming in India too, but for most of the populace, they remain a luxury. Comparatively, a concert film presents the next-best opportunity and an affordable one for desi fans to experience the magic of international singing stars. The song “What Was I Made For?” lingers in our minds. Well, Billie Eilish, you were made for the big stage. The fans were made to cherish this experience.
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) (2026) is set to be released in theaters from May 15.
By
