Oasis: Don't Look Back In Anger

This is a version of a review airing on ABC Victoria's Statewide Mornings program on September 17, 2026.

(MA15+) ★★★★

Director: Will Lovelace & Dylan Southern.

"What'd ya say, ya fookin' fook?"

The intro to Don't Look Back In Anger spins through the Oasis story at breakneck speed - they wrote some good songs, became the biggest band in the world, then broke up in 2009 because the Gallagher brothers were a pair of hot-headed twats. The end.

Then in 2024, it was announced that hell had indeed frozen over, pigs were flying, and the Gallaghers were getting the band back together for a 41-date world tour the following year. Cue much derision from the media about how many dates Oasis would get through before one Gallagher bottled the other and the whole thing got called off. 

But this doco, which covers the rehearsals and reunion tour, manages to (miraculously) rewrite the Oasis narrative. Despite its prickly start, this is not a fly-on-the-wall expose of everything going wrong, but rather a tale of forgiveness, redemption and two dickhead brothers maturing just enough to realise they created something that actually means something to people.

Don't Look Back In Anger doesn't do anything extraordinary compared to other music docos, but it has great content it uses wisely, building momentum throughout to end with something kinda magical. Of course the film is a celebration of Oasis, but what it captures is a band in the process of rewriting its own history, and an adoring fanbase ecstatic to see it happen.

The performances are shot well, though Oasis were never an exhilirating live band - Liam just stands there and occasionally puts a tambourine on his head, Noel just plays his guitar. What really sells the many live bits is a) these are great songs made for arena-sized singalongs, and b) the fan responses. There are countless shots of fans weeping with joy at the experience. Outside the stadiums, fans liken the reunion to the second coming of Jesus, gather on hilltops outside the arena to listen, and repurpose Oasis songs to fit their soccer team. It's like a religion.

The community of music is a key element of Don't Look Back In Anger. But even better is the story of the Gallaghers, who never say sorry or talk out their differences. Instead they just somehow get over all the bullshit and discover a newfound respect for each other and their music. Having tens of thousands of people singing your songs back to you every night, after an absence of 15 years, is bound to do that to you, but seeing it happen is oddly heartwarming.

In between the fans and gigs, we get to hear from the Gallaghers. Liam is still a twat, Noel slightly less so, but somehow they're endearing and offer something vaguely appproximating maturity. The fact that the doco contains their first joint interview in over 15 years tells you everything you need to know.

In a somewhat contrived but utterly perfect part of the film, a priest gives a sermon to a handful of parishioners about forgiveness, redemption and respect. It's an ideal summary of the doco. 

If you can tolerate the music (and you should because Noel writes bloody great songs), then this is a must-see music documentary.