Quick Info
If you’re even a little curious about the post-punk and rave explosion in Manchester, "24 Hour Party People" is an absolute trip. It’s a semi-chaotic, semi-true biopic that follows the rise (and spectacular chaos) of Factory Records through the eyes of Tony Wilson, played with equal parts smugness and charm by Steve Coogan. The movie darts from the birth of Joy Division all the way to the Hacienda club’s wild days, mixing archival and staged footage so smoothly you’re never sure what’s legend and what’s real.
What stuck with me is how self-aware and witty it all is—there’s this ongoing wink to the camera that makes you feel in on the joke. The music, obviously, is phenomenal, and it’s paired with manic energy that never really stops. You won’t get a traditional, tidy biopic here—it's messy, inventive, and sometimes almost surreal, but that completely fits the era and culture it’s chronicling.
Still, if you’re expecting a deep dive into any of the bands or a straightforward narrative, it might throw you off—some characters blur together, and the story jumps around quite a lot. But honestly, if you like your music histories with humor and style (and don’t mind a fair bit of myth-making), this is a really enjoyable watch. I think anyone who’s into ’80s and ’90s alternative music, or just loves seeing how wild creativity sometimes works, will have a blast.
