Lali: Time to Step Up 2025 Tv Show Review
Time to Step Up is the latest music documentary on Netflix, charting the journey of Argentine pop star, Lali Espósito. From burnout to comeback, this film anchors Lali’s story around the creation of her fifth album, Lali. At 70 minutes, this is an easy watch and an eye-opening look behind the scenes showcasing how it all came about.
Growing up in the public eye, Lali opens the film by talking through her uneasy relationship with fame and music. She describes feeling pushed through a glitzy, hazy circuit of superstardom, until she finally stopped and reflected on what she actually wanted. That early conflict grounds the film well.
Embracing her sexuality and finding her identity, Lali eventually hits the studio and embraces music like an old friend. The momentum builds from there. Narration, text overlays, and stadium footage fill out the structure of this film, but the standout moments come from fans reflecting on what she means to them. Their emotion gives the film a welcome pulse and it’s a lovely inclusion.
Midway through, the documentary swerves into Lali’s criticism of the Argentine government and Javier Milei’s rollback of progressive policies. The stance is unmistakably one-sided, with pop-ups that frame pushback as “fake news.” Given Argentina’s reputation as one of Latin America’s more progressive countries, the detour already feels like an odd fit.
The film never clarifies which policies have been amended or why, nor does it offer any sense of the opposing viewpoint behind the controversy. As a result, the political aside feels out of place — especially when the documentary’s strongest material centers on Lali’s music.
The film regains its footing with more intimate studio moments; rehearsals, composing sessions, and glimpses of Lali behind the scenes. There’s also a late-stage monologue, paired with childhood home videos, which lands with a fair amount emotional weight. It’s effective, but its placement near the end feels off; putting it earlier would have helped newcomers understand who Lali is and her early career, before diving into her stadium-tour
However, this is a celebratory, triumphant documentary that’s largely here to showcase Lali’s great music (and make a political statement). It’s a decent documentary with a nice message at the end about the expression of art and freedom.
Minor gripes aside, Time to Step Up is ultimately a celebratory portrait of this Argentine pop-star. It highlights Lali’s talent, her connection with fans, and her confidence in this new chapter — even if it doubles as a political statement along the way. It’s a decent, upbeat documentary with a warm message about embracing art and personal freedom.
