Netflix Dives Into the Legend, Legacy, and Loneliness of Paul Presley in Powerful New Biopic: “THIS IS Paul McCartney: The Relentless Rise” — Watch Now
In a bold cinematic move, Netflix’s latest biopic, “THIS IS Paul McCartney: The Relentless Rise”, peels back the layers of fame, fortune, music, and solitude to explore the man behind the legend—Paul Presley McCartney. This 2-hour original feature is already sparking global conversation, painting an intimate and striking portrait of a cultural icon whose influence spans more than six decades. Premiering worldwide this week, the film promises to show McCartney as the world has never seen him—flawed, fearless, and deeply human.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ava Greenwood, known for her emotionally raw documentaries, “THIS IS Paul McCartney” traces McCartney’s journey from the streets of post-war Liverpool to the heights of rock stardom with The Beatles, his turbulent years of reinvention with Wings, and the soul-searching solo chapters that followed. But more than a timeline of events, Greenwood gives us something much rarer: a look into the inner world of a man constantly redefining himself in a world that never stopped watching.
The Origin of a Sound That Changed the World
The film opens with haunting archival footage of Liverpool in the 1950s—fog-laden alleyways, dock workers, schoolboys in threadbare uniforms—and a young Paul strumming a battered guitar on his back step. Narrated in part by McCartney himself, the early scenes are a poignant reminder that musical revolutions often begin in the most modest of settings.
We see Paul’s relationship with his father Jim, a jazz musician whose influence runs deep in Paul’s early compositions. The death of his mother Mary, when he was just 14, casts a long emotional shadow that resurfaces repeatedly throughout the film. “I’ve always written from a place of trying to feel close to her again,” McCartney admits during a quiet interview segment, recorded at his Sussex farmhouse.
The Beatles Era: Glory and Fracture
Greenwood doesn’t shy away from the magic and mania of Beatlemania—the screaming fans, the Ed Sullivan debut, the India retreat, and the relentless pressure to evolve. Through a mix of rarely seen behind-the-scenes clips and new commentary from surviving members Ringo Starr and archival interviews with John Lennon and George Harrison, THIS IS Paul McCartney reclaims the messy, magical truth behind the greatest band in history.
Notably, the film doesn’t romanticize the band’s breakup. Instead, it delves deep into the cracks: the creative tensions, the egos, the lawsuits, and the emotional toll. One particularly heart-wrenching sequence shows Paul walking alone through Abbey Road studios decades after the band’s split, gently running his hand over the piano where “Let It Be” was born. “That song came to me in a dream,” he murmurs, eyes damp. “Mum told me to let things go. And I did. But some things never go away.”
Wings, Linda, and Rebirth
Post-Beatles, McCartney could have disappeared. Instead, he fought to prove himself all over again. The film documents the rocky birth of Wings and his powerful musical partnership with his wife Linda, who becomes the emotional heart of the second act. Their love story, told through home video clips and tender letters read aloud by daughter Stella, is a testament to endurance, loyalty, and creativity.
Linda’s death in 1998 is handled with
The Loneliness of Legend
Perhaps the most affecting segments of the film are the quietest ones—Paul wandering alone through Central Park, sitting in an empty theater watching Beatles concert footage, or recording voice memos on his phone in the middle of the night. “Fame is loud,” he says. “But loneliness—loneliness is quieter. And it lasts longer.”
The documentary isn’t all melancholy. We also see McCartney in moments of joy: jamming with Dave Grohl, cracking jokes with James Corden on Carpool Karaoke, and mentoring young artists in his home studio. Greenwood’s lens shows us a man still hungry for connection, music, and meaning at 83.
Celebrity Voices and Fresh Perspectives
The film features appearances and tributes from a star-studded cast including Bono, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Taylor Swift, and Rick Rubin. But perhaps the most moving voice is that of Paul’s son James McCartney, who appears only briefly but delivers a line that encapsulates the film’s core: “My father isn’t just a legend. He’s a man who never stopped being the boy from Liverpool, trying to make sense of love and loss with a guitar in his hand.”
Critical Acclaim and Global Buzz
Early reviews are glowing. Rolling Stone calls the film “a triumph of honesty and artistry.” The Guardian hails it as “a heartbreaking and heart-healing love letter to music and the man who helped redefine it.” On social media, fans are calling the documentary “Paul’s most revealing performance yet—and he didn’t even need a stage.”
Final Notes
“THIS IS Paul McCartney: The Relentless Rise” is not just a film about a Beatle. It’s a story about resilience, reinvention, and what it means to grow older under the weight of global adoration. It’s about the personal cost of being part of something larger than yourself—and finding the strength to keep going anyway.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering McCartney’s genius, this biopic is essential viewing. Watch now on Netflix and see the man behind the myth, the melody, and the moment that changed music forever. 🎬🎸Now Streaming Worldwide on Netflix.
