Billy Idol Should Be Deadtakes audiences on a raw, riveting ride through one of rock’s most iconic rebels. Grammy Award-winner Jonas Åkerlund returns to feature-length documentary filmmaking, pulling back the leather-clad curtain on Billy Idol’s meteoric rise from sneering punk provocateur to MTV-era pop superstar. Using never-before-seen archival footage and intimate interviews, the film dives deep into Idol’s formative years and the personal chaos that nearly ended it all.

More than just a rock doc — this is a story about reckoning with the past and finding a way forward. Åkerlund’s kinetic style and unflinching candor deliver an unforgettable portrait of a man who’s cheated death, defied expectations and still commands the stage with the same swagger that first set him apart. For longtime fans and new audiences alike, this film is a must-see celebration of resilience and rock ‘n’ roll.—Mara Tatevosian

After the Premiere: An intimate performance by Billy Idol.

Jonas Åkerlund