Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- intimate
- painful
- music biopic night
- reflective evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Marisa Abela’s committed performance and musical recreation while finding the biopic shallow, conventional, and evasive about addiction and responsibility.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film follows Amy Winehouse from adolescence through adulthood, musical success, relationships, and addiction.
Winehouse’s songwriting and creation of her best-selling album are presented as core parts of her personal journey.
The plot connects Winehouse’s rise as a singer with alcoholism, substance abuse, mental illness, and media scrutiny.
Marisa Abela performs Winehouse’s songs and recreates her distinctive soul vocal style.
Films like Back to Black, and why
Ray
music-centered biographical drama portraying a gifted singer’s rise, personal turmoil, and destructive fame
Walk the Line
emotionally charged musician biopic focused on addiction, performance, and intimate relationships
Rocketman
stylized rock-star biopic examining celebrity, substance abuse, and a troubled artist’s public image
Movie Details
- Director
- Sam Taylor-Johnson
- Release Date
- 2024-04-11
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (754)
Cast
- Marisa Abela
- Jack O'Connell
- Eddie Marsan
- Lesley Manville
- Juliet Cowan
- Sam Buchanan
- Pete Lee-Wilson
- Thelma Ruby
- Michael S. Siegel
- Matilda Thorpe
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Back to Black about?
- A painful, music-driven portrait of Amy Winehouse’s ascent, turbulent relationships, and struggle to survive the pressures of addiction and fame.
- What is Back to Black like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Back to Black as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Back to Black violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Back to Black.
- What did critics think of Back to Black?
- Critics broadly praised Marisa Abela’s committed performance and musical recreation while finding the biopic shallow, conventional, and evasive about addiction and responsibility.
- Which films are like Back to Black?
- Films with a similar feel include Ray, Walk the Line, and Rocketman.
- How long is Back to Black?
- Back to Black runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Back to Black?
- In United States, Back to Black is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
