Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)
4.8 out of 5 stars
We laughed, we cried, we danced, and we sang our hearts out at the early access screening of Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D).
Fans were given the opportunity to attend a limited number of screenings of the movie on April 29, 2026, before the official release date next week.
I was absolutely blown away by this movie! It was unlike any concert film I have ever seen. This was not the 3D that us millennials are used to from our childhood – no paper red and blue glasses here. Eilish worked with director James Cameron to create a completely immersive experience that makes the viewer feel like they are standing on the stage with her. The scenes shot from the crowd made you feel like you were truly on the floor of the venue.
As someone who attended one of the Seattle shows on the Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour, I really enjoyed seeing the concert from this new point of view. It was an ideal concert experience – perfectly curated for the fan to see all the best parts of the show. Standing on the floor of the venue at the live show, I had no idea that the stage had moving graphics that could only be seen from the seats. Some of the songs, like “Guess” for example, had lasers and graphics that completely encompassed the venue and were best viewed from the upper level seats. Standing in the general admission area is great for a closer view of the stage but after seeing the movie I realized I had missed out on the full experience of the show that Eilish clearly put an immense amount of thought and effort into. At times during the actual concert it was hard to hear and see her over the crowd on the floor. The movie completely eliminated all those problems. This movie allows fans to experience the show exactly the way Eilish intended it, with close ups of her expressions adding emotion at pivotal moments in the songs. The aerial shots give the full picture of just how massive these sold out shows really were and allow the viewer to feel the entire room.
The film did a wonderful job of blending together behind- the-scenes content and interviews with the shots of the concert. I could have watched many more hours of just the behind-the-scenes content and found myself wishing there had been more scenes about the process of making the tour. However, Eilish has stated a major reason for making this film was to give fans who may not have been able to attend a live show the chance to experience the concert. I would love to see her release more of the extra footage eventually.
Viewers are taken on an emotional journey that left me feeling giddy. One thing’s for sure – Eilish knows how to put on a show. It was extremely apparent throughout the film that she wants her concerts to be more than just a singer on stage, they’re a full-blown experience. Throughout the almost two hours Eilish had us laughing, filled with love, crying, and then dancing, somehow all in a way that doesn’t make you feel like you’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster. The behind-the-scenes moments and interviews give the viewer insight into just how much Eilish loves her fans, and the audience shots show how deeply they love her back. We see her talk about her struggles with her physical health while on tour, mental health and body image issues, and how much her fans resonate with the messages in her songs. One of my only critiques is that I would have liked to see a little more variety in the audience shots, with several of the same fans making multiple appearances at times. I would have enjoyed seeing even more of her fanbase.
The sense of community in the theater was palpable, with many of her fans around the world having followed her during the entirety of her almost decade long career. Looking into the audience almost every person was dressed in full Billie Eilish gear. You could hear and see everyone singing along, all bonded over their love of her music.
This movie is a must see for any Eilish fan, but also for any music lover who wants a new type of concert experience.
The official release date is set for May 8th, with some theaters starting screenings early on May 7th. A limited number of Eilish themed popcorn buckets and tumbler cups have started going on sale at most theaters. Those seeing the film at AMC theaters on the May 7th screenings will be given a complimentary movie poster and May 8th screenings will receive a Billie bandana (while supplies last).
To find showtimes in your area and book your tickets visit www.hitmehardandsoftmovie.com
