He’s an international popstar with a crazy life, but he’s still just a normal guy with normal problems. Shawn Mendes’ new documentary film shows exactly this, and not much more. If you are an avid fan of Shawn then the extra content will be welcomed, and as a precursor to his upcoming album ‘Wonder’ (out 4th December), it is a nice film. However, if you were looking for some kind of deep dive behind the perfect popstar’s squeaky-clean image then you will be disappointed.
In Wonder touches on different parts of Mendes’ life: the struggle of finding fame at such a young age, missing his family, having a girlfriend, and anxiety. But this is nothing that you can’t find on his social media, as he is very vocal about his struggles and his relationship isn’t exactly private. There is one big emotional moment, when he gets laryngitis and must cancel a show, but nothing else really cuts through the popstar façade.
Lots of the trendy film-style footage shows Shawn at his best, singing, with a guitar in hand, and much of the song composition for his upcoming album is included. At one point, he voices his frustration at the perfect standard that he feels he must uphold, but this documentary shows little sign that he has overcome it.
‘Shawn Mendes: In Wonder’ is available to stream on Netflix.
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