When Olivia Rodrigo’s second studio album, “GUTS,” was released, it quickly became a modern classic, and tickets for the accompanying GUTS World Tour sold out like wildfire. Kicking off on Feb. 23, 2024 in Palm Springs, California, the concerts themselves are a whirlwind of energy: loud, energetic and vibrant. The “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour” movie, which is the tour’s concert film available on Netflix, perfectly captures this intensity, offering Livies (Olivia Rodrigo fans) a front-row experience from the comfort of their own home.
The movie was released for streaming through Netflix on Oct. 29. It contains footage from one of her performances at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles where she performed on Aug. 13 and Aug. 14. With the creation of a full-length concert film, Rodrigo joins scores of other artists such as Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish who have similarly created concert films in an attempt to share the experience for all fans.
In recent years, the monopolization of ticketing agencies coupled with the prevalence of scalpers and scammers has made it difficult to purchase tickets for high-profile concerts. Often, demand far outpaces what is available, leaving countless fans devastated when they realize that they can’t experience or afford the true concert experience. An official, high-quality film can help alleviate some of this anguish, and Rodrigo’s movie has certainly achieved that. While some of the highlights of a concert, like the crowds, the merch and the sheer anticipation of it all are missing in concert films, the most important bits — the music, the energy and the fun — are always translated across the screen.
Connection has always been a central purpose of Rodrigo’s music. With its raw themes of heartache and misery-infused bold teenage angst, “GUTS” stands out as another impressive chapter in Rodrigo’s musical career. Known for her mixture of grungy, pop-rock songs and soft piano ballads, Rodrigo continues to use her songwriting to explore universal themes of love, heartbreak and youth challenges. But she is also a talented singer in her own right. For example, her single “vampire” features a consistently high vocal register that is impossible for ordinary people to belt in karaoke without butchering their vocal cords (trust us, we tried). As dramatic as Rodrigo is (during her performance of “all american b****” she screams into her mic for a good minute), her music validates the true experiences of her fans. It makes them feel heard, and the movie offers all of her fans the chance to process their emotions through music.
However, the lack of behind-the-scenes footage included in this particular film leaves it feeling more like a straightforward concert recording rather than an exclusive, in-depth tour experience as was advertised. To make matters worse, the editing was criminal, littered with jumpy shots that showed Rodrigo, then the back of someone’s head, then Rodrigo again, this time at a different angle. Still, the inclusion of the exhilarated screams of the crowd made for an authentic viewing journey that mirrored the real concert.
For those who weren’t able to attend the GUTS concert, the film offers a thrilling rendition of her live performance. However, for those who were lucky enough to be there in person, the film may feel a bit repetitive, as it focuses on the same setlist without adding any new content.
Overall, the “GUTS” movie delivers an electrifying experience that beautifully captures the energy, artistry and musicianship of Olivia Rodrigo’s live performances. Although it lacks additional footage offering a deeper look into the tour, it still succeeds in bringing fans a dynamic celebration of her music, making it a must-watch for all dedicated Livies around the world.
