The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years
Penelope Spheeris turns Los Angeles heavy metal’s glittering mythology into a funny, abrasive portrait of celebrity excess and subcultural spectacle.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- uncomfortable
- music documentary night
- heavy metal film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the documentary as an amusing, culturally significant portrait of heavy metal excess, especially memorable for its outrageous interviews and self-parody.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Interviews with Ozzy Osbourne, Steven Tyler, and Chris Holmes turn claims of decadence into comic, uncomfortable evidence of excess.
The documentary surveys established stars, newer bands, fans, and the Los Angeles heavy metal environment of the 1980s.
Staged moments and bizarre interviews create a comic, car-crash quality associated with the film’s cult reputation.
The film documents mid- and late-1980s Los Angeles metal culture amid tensions between established glam excess and emerging heavier styles.
Films like The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years, and why
The Decline of Western Civilization
music documentary portrait of an underground-to-mainstream rock scene, with candid interviews and subcultural anthropology
This Is Spinal Tap
satirical treatment of rock-star vanity, backstage absurdity, and heavy-metal excess
Gimme Shelter
observational music documentary built around self-presentation, performance culture, and unruly rock personalities
Movie Details
- Director
- Penelope Spheeris
- Release Date
- 1988-06-17
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (88)
Cast
- Dave Mustaine
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Chris Holmes
- Lemmy Kilmister
- Paul Stanley
- Gene Simmons
- Steven Tyler
- Joe Perry
- Alice Cooper
- C.C. DeVille
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Philo, Fandor, Night Flight Plus, Fandor Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, DocuramaFilms Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Qello Concerts by Stingray Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years about?
- Penelope Spheeris turns Los Angeles heavy metal’s glittering mythology into a funny, abrasive portrait of celebrity excess and subcultural spectacle.
- What is The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years.
- What did critics think of The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years?
- Critics broadly regard the documentary as an amusing, culturally significant portrait of heavy metal excess, especially memorable for its outrageous interviews and self-parody.
- Which films are like The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years?
- Films with a similar feel include The Decline of Western Civilization, This Is Spinal Tap, and Gimme Shelter.
- How long is The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years?
- The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years?
- In United States, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years streams on fuboTV, Philo, Fandor, Night Flight Plus, Fandor Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, DocuramaFilms Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Qello Concerts by Stingray Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
