What we know about Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black

The late singer Amy Winehouse is being immortalised on the silver screen with Back to Black, a new biopic directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.

Industry star Marisa Abela portrays the musician in the film, which has sparked some backlash since being announced in July 2022. Winehouse had a profound effect on the music industry in a short time, releasing hits like Rehab, Valerie and, of course, Back to Black, before her death in 2011.

Here is everything you need to know about the film, including its release date, cast and plot.

How can I watch Back to Black?

The Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black is out in UK cinemas from today, Friday, 12 April. A streaming release date has yet to be announced.

What are the reviews like?

Dramatic biopics of well-known musicians are having their moment in the spotlight and the latest to arrive is Back to Black, filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson's chronicling of the epic rise and tragic fall of one of the UK's most enigmatic singer-songwriters. As reviews start to make their way online, fans are finding out if this latest music drama is worth the price of admission.

According to our own review, Back to Black delivers a "stunning" lead performance from Abela, while dealing with the big issues surrounding her life and untimely death in a delicate manner.

The Independent didn't have as good of a time, calling the film "cringeworthy" and afraid to ask the big questions needed to fully understand what went wrong. They added that it's "a fitfully enjoyable little package that will do wonders for the careers of Abela and [co-star Jack] O'Connell. But unlike Winehouse's oeuvre, it's not worth taking seriously. It's just too afraid of the dark."

Elsewhere, Variety called Taylor-Johnson's film "forthright and compelling" while Rolling Stone UK said it "won't please everybody, but it is a good, well-made film that tells part of Amy's story with affection, sensitivity and a palpable respect."

Read more reviews below:

Yahoo Movies UK: Amy Winehouse biopic is touching if serviceable (6-min read)

The Independent: The cringeworthy Amy Winehouse biopic is too afraid of difficult questions (5-min read)

The Guardian: Woozy Amy Winehouse biopic buoyed by extraordinary lead performance (3-min read)

Variety: Marisa Abela Nails Amy Winehouse in Every Look, Mood and Note in a Biopic at Once Forthright and Forbidding (7-min read)

Rolling Stone UK: Amy Winehouse biopic is powerful but plays it safe (3-min read)

Is there a trailer for Back to Black?

The first trailer for Back to Black was released in January. It showed a glimpse of the film's story, from Winehouse's early start to her rise to fame and subsequent struggle in the spotlight.

Star Marisa Abela was seen performing Winehouse's hit song Back to Black and performing on stage in now iconic sets from the musician, whilst the story also teased its exploration of Winehouse's relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil. Watch it below.

Ahead of the film's theatrical release, a new trailer arrived giving us another look at what to expect from Back To Black. Watch it below.

Who plays Amy Winehouse in Back to Black?

Marisa Abela takes on the role of Winehouse in Back of the Black, while the role of the singer's long-term partner Blake Fielder-Civil is played by Skins star Jack O'Connell.

Speaking of bringing this iconic singer to life on screen, Abela explained that the extreme weight loss she endured to embody Amy made her feel "frailer" as a person.

"I had help to do it safely; I consulted a dietician and was being monitored," the actor told Harper's Bazaar UK. "Feeling frailer and smaller helped – I hadn't understood, before, how much that affects your tempo."

The 27-year-old star added also spoke about how this frailty impacted her musical scenes in the movie.

"During her Frank (Amy's 2003 album) era, Amy is fast and loud and boisterous with her arms, her movements are big," she added. "Once I started to change, I realised that you can't physically make those same movements. It's uncomfortable to sit. You're tired, you're hungry, you're more exposed."

Eddie Marsan and Juliet Cowan play Winehouse's parents Mitch and Janis, while Lesley Manville portrays the star's grandmother Cynthia.

The cast also includes Harley Bird as Winehouse's friend Juliette, Sam Buchanan as her manager Nick Shymansky, and Ansu Kabia as her booking agent Raye Cosbert.

What is the plot of Back to Black?

Written by Matt Greenhalgh, the biopic charts Winehouse's rise to fame and the impact she had on the music industry from the release of her debut album Frank in 2003 to her 2006 follow-up Back to Black.

It follows Winehouse's humble beginnings and is described as looking at "a journey that took her from the craziness and colour of '90s Camden High Street to global adoration – and back again".

The movie also focuses on her relationship with her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, as well as her struggles with addiction.

Winehouse tragically died in July 2011 from alcohol poisoning at the age of 27. During her lifetime she suffered from eating disorders and depression.

Which songs are on the Back to Black soundtrack?

The Back to Black soundtrack features many of Winehouse's biggest hits, performed by Abela. These include Back to Black, Stronger Than Me, Tears Dry On Their Own, Me & Mr Jones, Rehab and her cover of The Zutons' Valerie.

It also features songs from Winehouse's musical inspirations, such as The Shangri-Las, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington.

Musicians Nick Cave and Warren Ellis penned the score for Back to Black. In a statement, Taylor-Johnson said: "Nick and Warren were the only musicians in my mind to score Back to Black. Over the years I've listened to everything they've composed and longed to realise the dream of working together. Their sensibility as well as understanding of this story has led to a profoundly deep and moving film score."

Back to Black is out in UK cinemas now