Alex Bodmer

Beyond her latest film’s record-breaking box office numbers, Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” rewrote the rules of concert films and set new standards for the genre.

Taylor Swift’s new film, “The Eras Tour,” has rewritten the rules of concert films, amassing record-breaking box office numbers and setting new standards for the genre. As The Telegraph aptly put it, “‘The Eras Tour’ will have you — like Swift herself — dancing in the aisles,” and the film’s incredible success highlights its personal impact on each fan.

Earning a jaw-dropping $123 million on its opening weekend alone, this movie surpassed the previous record holder, 2011’s “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never,” by $73 million as the highest-grossing concert movie of all time. 

Swift announced an early screening of her film at select theaters on Oct. 12 through her Instagram. This announcement sent ripples through the film industry, prompting theaters to adjust their schedules in preparation for the film’s inevitable success. The official release happened the next day. The enthusiasm around the film was impressive, with $26 million generated in AMC Theatres’s pre-sale tickets, highlighting the mass excitement backing the movie. In mere hours, the film secured the single-day ticket sales record for concert films, a remarkable feat solidifying its status as a true cultural phenomenon. 

Though it is a concert film, the visuals of “The Eras Tour” surprisingly stand out from the rest. There was not a second without bright colors. There were also amazing transitions with the music, the most notable transition being “Don’t Blame Me” to “Look What You Made Me Do,” displaying the darkness of the reputation era and how her music easily connects to each other to tell a story. 

The movie was a whirlwind of emotions. At the start of the movie, Swift slowly takes us into her romantic album Lover with her first song “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince.” Then, she gradually develops a more somber feeling with her melancholy albums folklore and evermore. folklore contains my personal favorite performance of the movie, “the last great american dynasty,” which features Swift’s dancers in ball gowns dancing behind Swift at center stage. This song’s performance, its set and its dancers’ characters coming to life in less than three minutes gave me goosebumps. After folklore and evermore, Swift sets her very high-energy albums throughout the show to ensure each of her biggest hits is given attention.

I couldn’t help but admire the dedication and meticulous planning which went into the movie. The complex costume changes, color schemes and choreography, tailored to match each specific era’s story, are captivating. For instance, Swift’s emotional and colorful performance of the Lover era at the start of the movie sent a shiver down my spine. The diverse color scheme from “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” displayed hues of pink and liveliness, while the color scheme of “The Man” featured a darkened set.

Swift’s remarkable ability to invoke deep emotions and foster a sense of community among her fans is something to behold. Although the film leans a bit on the lengthy side, which can lead to some tiredness from her fans by the end of the film, “The Eras Tour” gave me a chance to relive Swift’s transformation from the young, country artist releasing her first albums to the global pop icon she is today.  

While concert films often lose the intimacy of live performances, “The Eras Tour” successfully captured the heart of the original tour. I was fortunate enough to watch the movie alongside my friends, which meant I got to be a part of the crowd experience of screaming my heart out with my friends, one very similar to fan experiences in Swift’s Eras Tour concerts. 

As a huge fan of Swift, it’s heartening to see her reaching new heights and pushing the boundaries of possibility in the world of music and cinema. Her ability to connect with an audience and form a community is evidence of her authenticity. “The Eras Tour” isn’t just a record-breaking phenomenon; it’s a testament to the power of music and the bond between an artist and her fans.