Stream It or Skip It: ‘HOMECOMING: A Film by Beyonce’ on Netflix is a Personal Look at an Epic Performance

Remember last year when we were all scrambling to catch a live stream of Beyoncé’s Coachella performance? Well, one long year later her iconic stage show from the music festival is now available to watch over and over again on Netflix. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé is the headline-making performance interspersed with behind-the-scenes and rehearsal footage it’s impossible not to dance along with.

HOMECOMING: A film by Beyoncé: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Beyoncé. All Beyoncé. And because she is the Queen Bey, Homecoming also dedicates the documentary footage to highlighting the over 200 performers (steppers, orchestra members, singers, etc.) that contributed to making this performance as unforgettable as it is. Homecoming is the Coachella performance in all its glory, which includes appearances from Jay Z, Destiny’s Child, and her sister Solange, with brief breaks in between to show the rehearsals, meetings, and other backstage moments that went into creating the iconic moment.

And while we haven’t stopped talking about what she did on the Coachella stage for the past year, it’s the intimate documentary footage that will have us talking for the next year (and probably many more, too). Queen Bey opens up about being a working mom, juggling responsibilities with emotions, worrying about her body, and spending months and months rehearsing for this performance that truly was a once in a lifetime experience. It’s a look at how everything from her pregnancy and motherhood to HBCUs to the experience of being an incredibly hard-working black woman informed this unique stage show.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Look, no one is operating at the level of Beyoncé. We know this. But it is mostly a concert film, with brief periods of pulling back the curtain on all the work that went into making this performance as flawless as it looked. This celebration of not only this singular black woman, but black women as a whole, as well as HBCUs, has rarely been seen in this capacity before. And considering the stage show opens with the combo of “Crazy In Love”, “Freedom”, and “Formation”, you’ll easily be hooked for the entire two hours and seventeen minutes. And for when you’re on the go, Homecoming: The Live Album is also available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music.

Performance Worth Watching: While the on-stage performance is incredible, it’s the documentary footage that will have you absolutely transfixed. It’s been a while since we’ve really gotten a peek at Leader Beyoncé, Collaborator Beyoncé, and Student Beyoncé, and they’re all present here (luckily, there’s even a little bit of Goofy Beyoncé too). Watching her lead a prayer and explain how impressed she is by the other performers she’s sharing the stage with (“It’s just so much damn swag”) is so interesting it will allow you to forgive the fact that much of her voiceover sounds like she recorded it over the phone, for some reason.

It’s easy to assume Beyoncé is an alien or some kind of other being the way she commands the world’s attention, but to get a glimpse of how humble and human she is off-stage is, well, a different yet another way of commanding our attention once again. Relatable Beyoncé is here! Getting a glimpse into her pregnancy that caused her to bump this particular performance from 2017 to 2018 is as heartwarming as it is enlightening. The twins! FaceTiming husband Jay Z to share her excitement about fitting into an old costume! Explaining that she cut out bread, carbs, sugar, dairy, meat, fish, and alcohol from her diet to prepare for the music fest and sighing, “I’m hungry,” as well as explaining her workouts (what SoulCycle is she going to?!): it turns out Beyoncé is just another working mom! Except, you know, one that has prepared for a Coachella set more than any other performer ever has.

Memorable Dialogue: “When I decided to do Coachella, instead of me pulling out my flower crown (laughs), it was more important that I brought our culture to Coachella.” And that pretty much sums it up right there! Beyoncé also says, “I always dreamed of going to an HBCU. My college was Destiny’s Child. My college was traveling around the world and life was my teacher,” and those statements truly inform this spectacle.

Single Best Shot: It never gets old seeing Beyoncé with the twins, with her daughter Blue, and with her husband Jay Z. The family moments are what make this so special, and that she’s let viewers in even a little bit about her youngest children in a way that is both very personal and classy is a wonderful touch on this doc.

Sex and Skin: You respect the Queen! Of course she brings a fierce sexuality to the stage, but this woman’s at work, there’s nothing scandalous here.

Our Take: If you somehow didn’t see the Coachella performance last year, on a live stream official or otherwise, you should take in this incredible display of talent. If you did watch it, you won’t mind watching it yet again. And again. There’s no other superstar as inspirational, innovative, and impressive as Beyoncé, and maybe never has been or ever will be. Learning that every single detail of this performance had an intention, watching the way she hustles and motivates others and pulls together something so breathtaking, well, you just have to see it for yourself.

Our Call: Stream It. There is no other option.

Where to stream Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce