By Charlie Thompson, Staff Writer
The new Oasis documentary “Don’t Look Back in Anger” is not only fantastic and engaging, but it also defines what it means to be a fan and perfectly captures what the songs of Oasis mean to millions around the world.
The documentary follows the band on their 2025 reunion tour after being split apart for 16 years. Furthermore, it illustrates the reconciliation of brothers and band members Liam and Noel Gallagher.
The two Gallagher brothers founded Oasis in 1991, with Liam being the lead singer and Noel being the lead guitarist and songwriter. From the moment the band began, their two egos clashed hard, as both believed that they were the reason for their success. Years of this tension came to a head in 2009 when Noel announced he could no longer work with his brother, which ended the band overnight.
From the tour rehearsals to their final show in Brazil, the documentary chronicles the brothers’ struggle to return to the spotlight and play for millions of fans who had just about given up hope that the two would ever share the same stage again.
Oasis was founded in 1991 by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher.
“You expect the fans of that generation to be there, the ones who grew up with us, but you look out and it’s all teenagers who weren’t even born when we split up. Their parents have just played it to death in the car, passed it down like a religion, and now it belongs to them,” Noel said.
Even more emotionally impactful than the brothers’ reconciliation were the interviews with the fans themselves.
Surprisingly, the majority of the film focuses on various Oasis fans from across the globe and their stories and connections to the band and their songs. At first, it was a bit disappointing how little the brothers were shown on screen, but in the end the interviews added so much to the documentary.
My favorite part followed a mother raising a non-verbal son who discovered the music of Oasis, specifically the song “Talk Tonight.” The melancholy song follows songwriter Noel’s conversation with a fan who convinced Noel to keep the band together and save his life. The mother tells the film crew in tears that one of the only moments her son has ever spoken was to tell her to play “Talk Tonight,” and she thanks Oasis for being such an impactful part of her son’s life.
The documentary does a perfect job of conveying what music means to people and how it can inspire ease pain and foster connections across the world.
“When you fall down, most artists try to pick you up immediately; Oasis falls down with you, and then stands back up by your side,” a fan said in the film.
As a fellow fan who was unable to attend the 2025 tour, it was marvelous to be able to experience it so loudly and live in theaters alongside other Oasis fans.
With all that being said, there are some issues with the movie. The feud between the brothers is not explained particularly well and may alienate non-Oasis fans who have no prior knowledge of the split. Also, the film mainly follows the two brothers with very little screen time for other band members.
That being said “Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger” is still a masterpiece. In the words of Liam, it’s “biblical.”
It is an exploration of the uplifting power of music and the impact a band can have on so many lives. It also perfectly captures the chaotic magic of the band that defined a generation. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or have only heard “Wonderwall,” this film has something for everyone.