The Velvet Underground
2021 · Movie · R · 121 min · ★ 6.8 · 93% critics
This documentary traces the rise and lasting influence of an iconic rock band through a lively mix of interviews and striking archival material. It leans into the era’s experimental art scene, exploring the sounds, ideas, and people that shaped the group’s groundbreaking legacy.
Where to watch
Streaming on Apple TV+.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
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Details
- Years
- 2021
- Release date
- 2021-10-15
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Max quality
- UHD
- Critic score
- 93/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.8/10 (117 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want an artsy, interview-driven music documentary with lots of archival material, like Moonage Daydream or Cobain: Montage of Heck; Not for you if you want a tight, band-focused timeline.
Pros: rich archival footage; intriguing interview moments; bold art-scene vibe | Cons: slow early buildup; uneven album coverage; too many peripheral voices
Themes
- biography
Cast & crew
Lou Reed
as Self (archive footage)
John Cale
as Self
Sterling Morrison
as Self (archive footage)
Maureen Tucker
as Self
Jonas Mekas
as Self
Jonathan Richman
as Self
John Waters
as Self
Nico
as Self (archive footage)
David Bowie
as Self (voice)
- DY
Doug Yule
as Self (archive footage)
Directed by Todd Haynes