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New Shawn Mendes documentary shows a different side to the musician
The Netflix documentary In Wonder follows Shawn on his self-titled tour last year and shows a different side to the musician who already wears his heart on his sleeve.
On the heels of his latest single release from his upcoming fifth studio album, Shawn Mendes brings fans into the craziest year of his life. The Netflix documentary In Wonder follows Shawn on his self-titled tour last year and shows a different side to the musician who already wears his heart on his sleeve.
When you hear a Shawn Mendes song, there’s a series of things that happen: it’s almost instantly recognizable because of the pop background, intimate vocals, and heartfelt lyrics. In fact, it’s easy to argue that Shawn is one of those musicians that never puts up a front, or acts a certain way to please others. He is true and authentic, and this transfers almost seamlessly over to his music.
And this same energy, this same Shawn that follows his dreams and dominates the radio with his songs, is present throughout In Wonder. The documentary is as humbling as it is realistic — viewers see Shawn at home with his parents and younger sister, with his childhood best friend, and with his girlfriend Camila Cabello.
We see him in awe at Rogers Center in Toronto, rendered speechless from the biggest show of his life. There’s nothing fake or overblown about these moments. They’re just as real and honest as Shawn is.
But there’s also an equally sobering side of the documentary: Shawn’s struggle with being blown into fame at such a young age, coping with growing up in front of the world, and being hard on himself in various different ways. Watching him cancel the show in Brazil is heart-breaking, but hearing his explanation about his breakdown and how he didn’t want to let anyone down is even more so.
In Wonder is a relatively short documentary, in the sense that it leaves viewers wanting to know and see more. Shawn is eager, and rightfully so, a bit protective about this experience and his life. But if this documentary does one thing perfectly: it shows that Shawn doesn’t take anything for granted, and while the clips of the concerts are enough to stun viewers, it’s clear that he himself can’t process it either.
It’s a perfect tease for his upcoming album, but there’s still an element of surprise for fans. In Wonder and perhaps, prematurely, even Wonder itself are about Shawn’s own awe — with everything aspect of his beautiful life.