Tribeca Film Festival ‘26: Questlove’s Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary Speaks to all Creatives

By Elizabeth Paige Richardson | June 8, 2026 | Movie Reviews

We’re in the era of the music biopic, undeniably supercharged by the great turnout for Michael. And if we’re talking about musicians whose songs have defined the culture, then surely Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World) fits right into place in the current moment.

We’ve all hit the dance floor to the opening synths of “Let’s Groove Tonight” or the horns of “Boogie Wonderland” at least once at family functions, and director Questlove brings the group’s impact to life. With archival footage of energetic concerts and snapshots from long studio sessions, Questlove paints a full picture of the ups and downs of the group.

Unlike Michael, there is no stand-in actor playing the star of the show, founding member Maurice White. His backstory is portrayed with the weight and sensitivity it deserves in animated form, accompanied by his own narration from old interviews.

And while this documentary is clearly a love letter, there’s no attempt to wash over the not-so-glowing memories of Maurice’s work ethic and morals. Other members of the group sit down and break down Maurice’s obsession with trying to climb the charts and stay relevant as he took near-total control of the creative vision. They give the vocalist his well-deserved flowers but balance it with an honest light on his human side.

That leads me to even recommend the doc to moviegoers who have little interest in music at all. The film transcends the music by talking about the Black hippie subculture that exploded at the time, forming Maurice’s initial vision. There’s a deeply human cautionary tale in here about chasing your dreams and keeping your head on straight that speaks to anyone trying to find success.

What’s not lost on me either is Questlove’s production feeling not just stylish but timely. On TikTok, I scrolled past videos mourning the loss of legends like Foster Sylver and Peabo Bryson. And with the music industry going through a dramatic shift with AI technology, it’s satisfying to see the blood, sweat, and tears that the group put into making a record that helped define the culture.

By the time the credits rolled, all I wanted to do was throw on a playlist of Earth, Wind & Fire’s greatest hits and deep cuts—tracks like “I Am” and “Reasons.” That’s probably the highest praise a documentary on art can get.

No wonder Tribeca’s opening night started on such a high note. It’s a must-watch for generations that grew up with the songs soundtracking their lives and a worthy introduction to a new group of younger fans looking for music that feels authentic and real.