Director: Danny Boyle
Screenwriter: Richard Curtis
Starring: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Joel Fry, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kate McKinnon, Alexander Arnold, Ed Sheeran
At first glance the trailer for Yesterday might suggest another entry in Hollywood’s recent wave of music-themed films and biopics. But dismissing it as a nostalgic cash-in would be a mistake. Under Richard Curtis’s warm, witty script and Danny Boyle’s unexpectedly gritty direction, Yesterday becomes a tender, bittersweet romantic comedy that also asks thoughtful questions about fame, creativity and the things we take for granted.
The film centers on Jack Malik (Himesh Patel), a modest, hardworking musician struggling to break through. Jack writes and performs songs that are sincere but forgettable, balancing late-night gigs with uninspiring day jobs. Just as he’s about to give up on a music career and return to teaching, a global blackout followed by a bus accident leaves him injured—and in a world where The Beatles never existed. Faced with the impossible reality that nobody recognizes those songs, Jack decides to introduce the music as his own. What begins as an irresistible ticket to stardom gradually forces him to confront the personal cost of success.
That premise sets Yesterday apart from both straight biopics and conventional musicals. It isn’t a fanciful live-performance musical nor a reverent tribute; instead, the Beatles’ catalog functions as a central plot device that drives character choices and emotional stakes. Curtis’s signature comic touch is everywhere—self-deprecating humor about American culture, awkward confessions of love and the inevitable big reveal—but Boyle grounds the material with a sense of realism and urgency that keeps the story feeling fresh and relatable.
The movie also benefits from strong lead performances. Himesh Patel makes Jack genuinely sympathetic: vulnerable, self-doubting and likable in equal measure. Lily James brings warmth and depth to Ellie, Jack’s best friend and manager, turning what could have been a stock rom-com role into someone with real complexity and quiet strength. Their chemistry—combined with scenes of real longing and regret—gives the film surprising emotional gravity.
Supporting performances are a highlight. Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal provide perfectly timed comic relief as Jack’s parents, delivering laughs without ever undercutting the film’s heart. Kate McKinnon gleefully plays against type as a brash, unapologetic music executive, and Ed Sheeran makes a memorable cameo by leaning into caricature for comic effect. Together the ensemble balances pathos and humor, bolstering both the film’s light moments and its more poignant beats.
Some viewers expected Yesterday to probe more deeply into how a world without The Beatles would be altered culturally, and the film doesn’t exhaust every possible angle. But treating the premise primarily as a vehicle for character drama and romantic tension feels appropriate; this is Curtis’s rom-com first and foremost. The movie smartly uses playful meta-humor to poke fun at Beatle fandom while also celebrating the songs’ enduring brilliance. A number of set pieces—clever comparisons between modern bands and the missing Beatles, and a few inventive covers—provide both laughs and moments of genuine uplift.
Not everything is flawless. Some of the film’s biggest gags appear in promotional trailers, which inevitably lessens their impact in the theater. The screenplay can be cheesy at times—particularly in romantic exchanges where lines verge on melodrama—but Patel and James infuse those moments with enough sincerity to make them work. A few plot turns are deliberately manipulative, designed to heighten emotional payoff, and while they succeed for many viewers they may feel heavy-handed to others.
Music fans may also wish for more full-length Beatles tracks; licensing realities likely limited how many complete recordings the film could include. Still, the arrangements and performances that do appear—covers and reinterpretations that nod to both classic rock and modern indie sensibilities—serve the characters and the story well. Highlights like energetic takes on “Help!” and “Back in the U.S.S.R.” provide high points without overwhelming the narrative.
At its best, Yesterday blends laughter with genuine feeling. The film asks what we owe to the people we love and whether fame is worth the sacrifices it demands. A bold, emotional twist midway through the story gives the movie surprising heft, and the performances sell the heartbreak in a way that lingers after the credits roll. For casual viewers and Beatles devotees alike, Yesterday offers a respectful, witty and often moving tribute to the power of music and the bonds that keep us human.
Overall, Yesterday is a modern rom-com with a unique premise: familiar and comforting in Richard Curtis’s voice, but reinvigorated by Danny Boyle’s direction and strong performances. If you set aside expectations for a deep cultural thought experiment and allow yourself to be carried by its humor and sentiment, the film delivers a warm, memorable experience.
16/24