Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Movie · 2020 · Music, Comedy · 2h 1m · PG-13 · English
Curator score: 1.5/10 (299.2K ratings)
Nobody wins solo
Overview
Two small-town singers chase their pop star dreams at a global music competition, where high stakes, scheming rivals and onstage mishaps test their bond.
Ratings
Curator score: 1.5/10
IMDb: 6.5/10
Letterboxd: 2.82/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Metacritic: 50
TMDB: 6.4/10
Director
David Dobkin
Production
Gary Sanchez Productions, Gloria Sanchez Productions, European Broadcasting Union
Cast
Rachel McAdams, Will Ferrell, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, Jamie Demetriou, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Melissanthi Mahut, Joi Johannsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Graham Norton, Demi Lovato, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Bobby Lockwood, Elena Saurel, Julian Miller, Mikael Persbrandt, Jon Kortajarena, Elina Alminas, Alfrun Rose, Elin Petersdottir
Where to watch
Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A broad, affectionate Eurovision send-up with a few real crowd-pleasing numbers and an easygoing romantic core, but the comedy is uneven and the runtime can feel stretched. It works best as a goofy, feel-good spectacle rather than a sharp parody.
Best for
Eurovision fans
viewers who like silly, high-energy musical comedies
fans of fish-out-of-water stories
people in the mood for a light, forgiving crowd-pleaser
Skip if
you want consistently sharp jokes
you dislike broad Will Ferrell-style comedy
you need a tightly paced story
you are allergic to cringe humor or earnest sentimentality
Overview
This is a movie built on enthusiasm more than precision. It treats Eurovision as a glittery, absurdly sincere arena for underdog dreams, and when it leans into that spectacle, it can be charming and genuinely fun. The songs are catchy, the production design is committed, and the central romance gives the chaos a soft landing.
Worth noting
The problem is that the comedy often feels like it is reaching for the joke rather than landing it. Some of the gags are repetitive, and the film’s length makes the weaker stretches more noticeable. Still, if you can accept a very broad tone and a few intentionally ridiculous detours, there’s enough warmth and musical energy to carry it.
Bottom line
It’s less a great comedy than a cheerful novelty with a strong sense of place. For viewers who enjoy pop-pageant excess, oddball sincerity, and a movie that wants you to root for the weirdos, it’s an easy enough watch. For everyone else, the charm may wear thin before the finale does.
Top Letterboxd reviews
alec 🇵🇸 (2★) · 3239 likes
if anyone was looking for why america aren't allowed to perform at eurovision, this was it
Patrick Willems (3★) · 2667 likes
I like it when they play "Jaja Ding Dong"
maria (2★) · 1891 likes
i know there are more important things to comment here, like dan stevens' sexy gay icon russian appeal and jaja ding dong being the new national anthem but did they just call simon and garfunkel semen and garfunkel
rach (4★) · 1819 likes
the fictional eurovision song contest in the film was held in edinburgh which implies in this universe the united kingdom won it the year before....out of all the things that happen in this film THAT is the most unrealistic
Ellie ✨ (3★) · 1173 likes
will ferrell writing a film where he ends up with rachel mcadams?? deranged
me writing a film where i end up with rachel mcadams?? groundbreaking. brave