🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jeff Tremaine
- Genre: Biography, Drama, Music, Comedy
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 47min
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10 (63K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 37%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Four guys with big hair and even bigger egos get famous by being loud, obnoxious, and somehow turning it into a career, proving that sometimes bad behavior pays off… literally.
🍿 The Dirt: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Formation of Mötley Crüe
The film opens with Nikki Sixx’s troubled childhood and his determination to escape his past. Simultaneously, Tommy Lee is shown as a budding drummer with a passion for rock. They meet and decide to form a band, leading them to search for a guitarist and a vocalist. They find Mick Mars through an ad and Vince Neil at a local gig. Their chaotic energy and raw talent start to coalesce.

Rise to Fame and Excess
Mötley Crüe quickly gains popularity on the Sunset Strip, known for their wild performances and even wilder off-stage antics. They land a record deal and tour with Ozzy Osbourne, further fueling their fame and notoriety. The film showcases their descent into sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll excess, highlighting the dangers that come with their lifestyle.

Tragedy and Redemption
The band faces several challenges, including Vince Neil’s involvement in a fatal car accident and Nikki Sixx’s near-fatal heroin overdose. These events force the band to confront their demons and attempt to get clean. The film depicts their struggles with sobriety and the impact it has on their relationships.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Nikki Sixx (Douglas Booth): The bassist and a founding member of Mötley Crüe, who battles a difficult childhood and later struggles with heroin addiction.
- Tommy Lee (Colson Baker): The drummer of Mötley Crüe, known for his wild antics, drumming talent, and tumultuous relationships.
- Vince Neil (Daniel Webber): The lead singer of Mötley Crüe, whose personal life and career are marked by both success and tragedy.
- Mick Mars (Iwan Rheon): The guitarist of Mötley Crüe, who is known for his unique playing style and stoic personality, despite battling a degenerative bone disease.
- Deana (Kathryn Morris): Nikki Sixx’s supportive but ultimately powerless mother, who struggles with her own issues as her son rises to fame.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Nikki Sixx: “How many chicks have you fucked so far?” – Nikki casually asks Vince about his sexual conquests on tour, highlighting the band’s hedonistic lifestyle.
- Vince Neil: “Oh, man. I lost count after that gang bang in Salt Lake City.” – Vince’s response to Nikki’s question exemplifies the band’s excessive and outrageous behavior on the road.
- Nikki Sixx: “That was fun.” – Nikki reminisces with Vince about their past antics.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20 million
- Domestic Gross: None
- Worldwide Gross: None
💥 The Dirt Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘The Dirt’ is a messy, loud, and unapologetic rollercoaster – just like Mötley Crüe themselves! I was hooked from the get-go. Seeing the band’s early days on the Sunset Strip felt so authentic and raw. Machine Gun Kelly absolutely killed it as Tommy Lee – the energy he brought was insane. I laughed, I cringed, and I definitely head-banged. It’s not perfect, but it’s a total blast and a must-watch for any Crüe fan!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Mötley Crüe fans”
- “Fans of rock music biopics”
- “Viewers interested in the 1980s rock scene”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Drug use”
- “Sexual content”
- “Mature themes”
- “Vehicular manslaughter”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While ‘The Dirt’ embraces the band’s wild antics, it often feels sanitized, lacking the raw, gritty energy that defined Mötley Crüe’s music and persona. The performances are energetic, but the narrative is somewhat predictable.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Jeff Tremaine’s ‘The Dirt’ is a raucous but uneven biopic that captures the band’s spirit, but struggles to find emotional depth beyond the surface-level debauchery. Machine Gun Kelly shines as Tommy Lee, but the film’s structure feels rushed and disjointed.
Audience Reactions
Machine Gun Kelly’s portrayal of Tommy Lee was spot-on and brought incredible energy to the film.: Fans loved the film’s energy, music, and wild portrayal of the band’s infamous antics.
Overall Consensus: ‘The Dirt’ is a flawed but entertaining rock biopic that captures the essence of Mötley Crüe’s chaotic rise to fame, making it a must-see for fans of the band despite its shortcomings.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker), who plays Tommy Lee, is the only American actor among the four leads portraying the band members.”
- “The movie rushes through key events and omits certain albums and tours to fit the story into a shorter runtime.”
- “The film breaks the fourth wall on several occasions for comedic effect and to provide narration.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Dirt?
The Dirt is currently available for streaming on Netflix. While it may not be available for direct purchase, keep an eye on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies for potential future purchase or rental options. Check your local listings for availability in your region, as streaming rights can vary.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Dirt, you might like these similar films:
- Bohemian Rhapsody (2018): Both are biopics about iconic rock bands dealing with fame, internal conflicts, and personal struggles.
- Almost Famous (2000): Captures the energy and excitement of the rock and roll scene in the 1970s from a different perspective (a young journalist).
- Sid and Nancy (1986): A raw and unflinching portrayal of the chaotic and self-destructive lives of a punk rock icon and his girlfriend.
- Rocketman (2019): A musical biopic about Elton John’s rise to fame and struggles with addiction and identity, similar to the themes explored in The Dirt.
🛒 The Dirt Related Products
- Mötley Crüe – The Dirt Soundtrack [Explicit]: The official soundtrack features Mötley Crüe classics and new tracks recorded specifically for the film. Relive the movie’s iconic moments through the music that defined the band.
- Funko Pop! Rocks: Motley Crue – Tommy Lee: A Funko Pop! figure of Tommy Lee. This collectible perfectly captures Tommy’s iconic look. It’s a must-have for fans looking to showcase their love for the band in their collection.
- Mötley Crüe T-Shirt – The Dirt Movie Poster: Wear the movie with pride! This T-shirt features the official poster for ‘The Dirt’. It’s comfortable, stylish, and lets you show your love for Mötley Crüe in a fashionable way.
- Mötley Crüe: The Dirt (Blu-ray): Experience Mötley Crüe’s wild ride on Blu-ray. Includes bonus features, behind-the-scenes footage, and extended scenes for the ultimate fan experience.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Dirt features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “The Dirt (Est. 1981)” – performed by Mötley Crüe feat. Machine Gun Kelly
- “Kickstart My Heart” – performed by Mötley Crüe
- “Shout at the Devil” – performed by Mötley Crüe
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, The Dirt is based on the Mötley Crüe’s 2001 autobiography of the same name. While the film takes some creative liberties, it generally follows the major events in the band’s history.
The Dirt stars Douglas Booth as Nikki Sixx, Iwan Rheon as Mick Mars, Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly) as Tommy Lee, and Daniel Webber as Vince Neil.
If you’re a fan of Mötley Crüe or interested in the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, The Dirt is worth watching. It provides a glimpse into the band’s rise to fame and the challenges they faced. However, be prepared for mature content, including drug use and explicit scenes.
🔥 Bonus Content
Lies The Motley Crue Movie Told You
Ever wonder how much of ‘The Dirt’ was actually true? This video breaks down the biggest lies the movie told, so you can separate fact from fiction. I was surprised by some of these!
Mötley Crüe’s THE DIRT: MGK as NIKKI SIXX?!? DOUGLAS BOOTH as TOMMY LEE?!? THE DIRT cast tell ALL!
Want to know what it was really like on the set of ‘The Dirt’? The cast spills all the behind-the-scenes secrets, including who was the biggest diva! It sounds like they had just as wild of a time as the real Mötley Crüe.
Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx dusts off Netflix’s “The Dirt” w/ this exclusive round of True & False
How accurate was ‘The Dirt’ according to the man himself, Nikki Sixx? He reveals what was true and false about some of the craziest scenes in the movie. Definitely worth watching to get his take!
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