Elton John has been a global icon for decades: a pop star, a creative force and for many a national treasure. Yet his life has never been as simply glamorous as tabloids suggest. For younger readers who never witnessed his meteoric rise firsthand, Rocketman offers a vivid, emotionally charged portrait of how Sir Elton John became the artist we know today.
Directed by Dexter Fletcher, Rocketman traces Elton’s journey from his childhood in the 1950s through his breakthrough years and into periods of personal turmoil and triumph. The film leans into fantasy and musical spectacle to dramatize key moments in his life, and Taron Egerton delivers a breakout performance as Elton, capturing both the exuberant showman and the vulnerable man behind the piano.
Rocketman opens with an arresting image: Egerton’s Elton arrives at a rehabilitation clinic wearing a flaming, phoenix-like costume. While that exact outfit is fictional, it channels the extravagant stage costumes Elton became famous for. The movie is explicitly a musical fantasy rather than a strict documentary, so it uses theatricality and reimagined moments to express emotional truths rather than adhere to a literal timeline.
The film is framed around a group therapy session in which Elton recounts his life. This structure allows Rocketman to move fluidly between memory, fantasy and concert spectacle, presenting childhood episodes, early talent, and the complex relationships that shaped him—including his struggles with identity and addiction—against a soundtrack of Elton’s most beloved songs.
Rocketman takes artistic liberties: events and songs are sometimes rearranged for dramatic effect, and some characters appear sooner or later than they did in real life. For instance, the film shows Elton meeting his future manager and partner John Reid after a Troubadour performance, while in reality that first meeting happened later at a party. Still, those alterations serve the film’s emotional logic, and many critics have praised it for its imagination and heart.
“What I care about is capturing moments cinematically and musically. I have to take artistic license, which is what Elton said I should do. He’s a creative, artistic person and that’s the way we approached it.” – Dexter Fletcher
Critics have been especially enthusiastic about Rocketman’s performances and filmmaking. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics’ reviews and audience scores have both been strong, reflecting appreciation for the film’s energy and the cast’s chemistry (the film held ratings around the high eighties for both critics and audiences). Supporting performances from Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Stephen Graham and Gemma Jones deepen the story and balance its spectacle with emotional nuance.
Taron Egerton’s transformation into Elton John feels effortless—so much so that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role. Reports that Tom Hardy was once considered for the part make Egerton’s embodiment all the more impressive. Richard Madden brings a dark, controlled presence to John Reid, adding tension and complexity to Elton’s personal life.
DID YOU KNOW? 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody featured Aidan Gillen as manager John Reid; in Rocketman, that role is played by Richard Madden—two actors from the same popular TV franchise who bring a brooding intensity to the part.
Rocketman also stands within a broader resurgence of musical biopics and music-driven films. Director Dexter Fletcher previously directed Sunshine on Leith (2013) and later stepped in to finish Bohemian Rhapsody during its final weeks of production, a role that earned him an executive producer credit. He also directed Egerton in Eddie the Eagle, demonstrating an ongoing interest in character-driven true stories.
This period has seen a wave of music-related cinema: concert films, biopics and music-inspired dramas are returning to theaters and streaming platforms, fueled by audience appetite for nostalgia and the box-office success of recent titles. Films like Bohemian Rhapsody and other contemporary musicals have helped reintroduce legendary artists to new generations, letting viewers relive iconic moments through cinematic re-creation.
The movie musical is unlikely to disappear: its blend of music, spectacle and emotional storytelling is timeless. Rocketman keeps that tradition alive by blending whimsy with seriousness, offering a portrait of an artist who learned to embrace his true self. Fletcher’s direction highlights not only Elton’s creative life but also the social and personal challenges that shaped him. Released during Pride season, the film’s core message is clear and resonant: love yourself, and accept who you are.