Oasis: Don't Look Back In Anger – Documentary Review

Documentary: Don't Look Back In Anger

Reviewer: Joel Hill

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Few events in music and pop culture history captured so much attention, excitement, and anticipation as Oasis’ Live ’25 tour. The reunion was a shock to fans all over the world, with the 15 year feud between the Gallagher brothers coming to an end as they embarked on a 41 date world tour, selling out arenas and stadiums from London to Los Angeles. With the biggest reunion in music history comes a documentary, and the new Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows) produced film captures the Live ‘25 tour in all of its glory.

Liam and Noel Gallagher Join Hands on the Red Carpet, Venice © Johnny Dalla Libera

Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger is the newest documentary on the Gallagher brothers, following Supersonic (2016), and Oasis Knebworth 1996 (2021), along with an array of shorter films and documentaries following Oasis’ albums and their successful solo careers. While any film on this band is guaranteed to be emotional, exciting, and nostalgic, this one feels different. This film is not a retrospect in the same vein as previous documentaries, as people talk about Oasis as a thing of the past, this is right here right now, and the film captures the glorious return of the best rock n roll band in the world.

After a montage showing the band’s immense success in the 90’s, along with the tense power struggle between the brothers, the film cuts to the infamous night in Paris, 2009, which saw the end of Oasis for 15 years. Cut to May 2025, in which there are six weeks of rehearsals for the band’s reunion tour, as we see the whole band – minus Liam – get back into the Oasis spirit and sound. Not much explanation is given as to why they chose to get back together, all we know is they did, and now we get to see them in the rehearsal space. Despite reasons for the reunion being unmentioned, the film does an exceptional job at capturing the rising tension in the room as the band nervously await the arrival of Liam. His presence is felt, and the looming shots of a microphone accompanied by accelerando music further add to excitement and tension. When the younger Gallagher brother does arrive, his words are minimal, his mood is unclear, and he leaves the building whilst his fellow band mates are still finishing a song. “I’m not sure whether our kid’s enjoying himself” questions Noel to the rest of the band, following Liam’s abrupt exit. The dynamic between the Gallagher’s at this point is unclear, with few words exchanged between them, and neither looking overly pleased to be there. However one thing is clear – they sound phenomenal live. For fans, the whole rehearsal section of the film shines as one of its best moments, similar to Peter Jackson’s 2021 Beatles series Get Back, in which there is a fly on the wall approach, with the band appearing to be almost unaware there are cameras.

When the documentary takes us on the Live ‘25 tour it becomes more of a concert film, emphasising the power of the songs and the emotional feedback from audiences all around the world - audiences who have been waiting for over 15 years to see this moment. The scene in Cardiff stands out, building tension and somehow making the audience feel nerves for the band as the stage time grows nearer and nearer. The build-up in the venue rises and if you were at the Live ’25 tour, the film captures the fan excitement and energy remarkably. Cardiff shows a rare moment of Noel Gallagher getting overwhelmed and nervous, with the songwriter suggesting he needed five minutes in the dressing room to get his breath – contrasting Liam, whose just as confident as ever. Soon after Cardiff Oasis get into the swing of things, and the band tour around the world, with the film showing snippets or full renditions of classic Oasis songs from their various gigs.

Throughout the film we hear not just from the Gallaghers, but also from fans. The documentary shows how much the band mean to people from Korea, Argentina, Brazil, England, and now (at long last) America. Though the repeated showing of various fans crying and hugging does wear a little thin, when the documentary shows the band live, it tells the audience all we need to know; they mean everything to people, from older generations to the young - Oasis are for everyone (something highlighted by the brothers themselves toward the end of the film).

There is also a touching tribute to Mani, who passed away in November 2025, and meant a lot to Oasis both musically and personally. The moment came as a shock to the world and occurred when Oasis were in Brazil. After hearing touching words from Liam and Noel, the band dedicate Live Forever to The Stone Roses legend, with the scene showing various footage of both The Stone Roses and Oasis with the iconic Mancunian bassist, highlighting his musical genius and kind, funny, warm personality.

The documentary is full of emotional and touching moments. Overall, it highlights the power of music, love, and ultimately forgiveness, something unexpectedly touching and emotionally vulnerable for Oasis. Whether you were at a Live ’25 gig or not, this film puts you right there, creating a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. It features something for everyone, whether it be the tense rehearsals, the build-up in anticipation before they take to the stage, or even the overall emotion that’s present throughout the film - if you are a fan of Oasis, you won’t be disappointed. The film serves the biggest reunion in music history magnificently.

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Joel Hill
Contibutor, BritRock Heaven