Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Stream
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.
What critics thought
Critics landed all over the map on this one: some found it a warm, silly homage that leans into Eurovision's inherent absurdity rather than mocking it, while others called it painfully unfunny and at least half an hour too long, with thin sketch material stretched well past its limits. The central fault line is whether Ferrell's low-key sincerity reads as inspired restraint or as a comedian pulling his punches — and the supporting performances, particularly McAdams and Stevens, drew more consistent praise than the script itself.
“a badly shot one-joke movie that sits there and goes thud.”
Owen Gleiberman·Variety
“Sending up the Eurovision Song Contest is like flattening Salisbury Plain: one quick look at the thing should be enough to reassure you that the job took care of itself long ago. Nevertheless, Will Ferrell has decided to give it a shot and the result is this pulverisingly unfunny and vacuous two-hour gauntlet run of non-entertainment.”
Robbie Collin·The Daily Telegraph
“Ferrell, who co-wrote the script, wisely realises that this institution is beyond parody and is simply content to pay homage. The result is extremely silly and ridiculously rousing.”
Charlotte O'Sullivan·Evening Standard
“this is a comedy that knows how to make fun and have fun.”
David Sims·The Atlantic
“If ever a comedy cried out for tight 85-minute treatment that keeps the gags pinging fast enough to disguise the thin sketch material at its core, it's this hit-or-miss two-hour feature.”
David Rooney·The Hollywood Reporter
Accolades
Genres
Comedy, Music
Cast & Crew
David DobkinDirector
Rachel McAdamsSigrit Ericksdottir
Will FerrellLars Erickssong
Pierce BrosnanErick Erickssong
Dan StevensAlexander Lemtov
Jamie DemetriouKevin Swain
Ólafur Darri ÓlafssonNeils Brongus
Melissanthi MahutMita Xenakis
Joi JohannssonJorn
Björn Hlynur HaraldssonPoliceman - Arnar
Graham NortonGraham Norton
Demi LovatoKatiana
Jóhannes Haukur JóhannessonJohans
Atli ÖrvarssonComposerWill FerrellWriter
Harper SteeleWriter
Danny CohenCinematographyEurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
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.
What critics thought
Critics landed all over the map on this one: some found it a warm, silly homage that leans into Eurovision's inherent absurdity rather than mocking it, while others called it painfully unfunny and at least half an hour too long, with thin sketch material stretched well past its limits. The central fault line is whether Ferrell's low-key sincerity reads as inspired restraint or as a comedian pulling his punches — and the supporting performances, particularly McAdams and Stevens, drew more consistent praise than the script itself.
“a badly shot one-joke movie that sits there and goes thud.”
Owen Gleiberman·Variety
“Sending up the Eurovision Song Contest is like flattening Salisbury Plain: one quick look at the thing should be enough to reassure you that the job took care of itself long ago. Nevertheless, Will Ferrell has decided to give it a shot and the result is this pulverisingly unfunny and vacuous two-hour gauntlet run of non-entertainment.”
Robbie Collin·The Daily Telegraph
“Ferrell, who co-wrote the script, wisely realises that this institution is beyond parody and is simply content to pay homage. The result is extremely silly and ridiculously rousing.”
Charlotte O'Sullivan·Evening Standard
“this is a comedy that knows how to make fun and have fun.”
David Sims·The Atlantic
“If ever a comedy cried out for tight 85-minute treatment that keeps the gags pinging fast enough to disguise the thin sketch material at its core, it's this hit-or-miss two-hour feature.”
David Rooney·The Hollywood Reporter
Accolades
Genres
Comedy, Music
Cast & Crew
David DobkinDirectorRachel McAdamsSigrit EricksdottirWill FerrellLars ErickssongPierce BrosnanErick ErickssongDan StevensAlexander LemtovJamie DemetriouKevin SwainÓlafur Darri ÓlafssonNeils BrongusMelissanthi MahutMita XenakisJoi JohannssonJornBjörn Hlynur HaraldssonPoliceman - ArnarGraham NortonGraham NortonDemi LovatoKatianaJóhannes Haukur JóhannessonJohansAtli ÖrvarssonComposerWill FerrellWriterHarper SteeleWriterDanny CohenCinematographyStream