The Edgy Machine Gun Kelly Movie On Netflix Is A Wild True Story

By Steven Nelson | Published

Machine gun kelly
Machine Gun Kelly

Strap in for a wild ride through the annals of rock history as The Dirt crashes onto Netflix. With Colson Baker, better known to many as Machine Gun Kelly, stepping into the shoes of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, this biographical drama doesn’t hold back.

Based on the notorious tell-all autobiography by the glam metal band Mötley Crüe, the Machine Gun Kelly film charts the rise, fall, and rebirth of one of rock’s most infamous acts. From the raucous Sunset Strip to the pinnacle of global stardom, be prepared for a no-holds-barred journey, chock-full of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.

Machine Gun Kelly stars in The Dirt which is streaming on Netflix

The Dirt is a gritty biographical drama that dives deep into the turbulent history of the legendary rock band, Mötley Crüe. The narrative weaves through their humble beginnings, their meteoric rise to fame, and the many personal and professional controversies that threatened their existence.

machine gun kelly colson baker the dirt

The film opens in the 1980s, a decade synonymous with decadence, excess, and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll. We’re introduced to young musicians Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, and Mick Mars as they come together to form Mötley Crüe. Their chemistry is palpable from the start, both musically and in terms of their shared appetite for self-destruction.

In The Dirt, Machine Gun Kelly plays Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee

As Mötley Crüe carves its path to stardom, we witness the wild parties, substance abuse, tumultuous relationships, and the internal conflicts that often threatened to split the band apart.

The film doesn’t shy away from portraying the band members’ many vices, including Vince Neil’s tragic car accident that led to the death of Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle and Nikki Sixx’s harrowing battle with heroin addiction.

However, amid the chaos and the controversies, Machine Gun Kelly’s The Dirt also paints a portrait of a brotherhood, albeit a dysfunctional one. It highlights the unwavering bond among the band members and their collective determination to overcome the odds.

The story chronicles their peaks, from chart-topping hits and sold-out tours, to their valleys, marked by personal tragedies and the changing music landscape.

The Machine Gun Kelly film also delves into the personal lives of the members, offering insights into their relationships, motivations, and the demons they each grappled with. By the end, after navigating through the storms of fame, personal disputes, and changing musical tastes, Mötley Crüe’s legacy as rock icons is solidified, with the film encapsulating both their contributions to music and their notorious off-stage antics.

Colson Baker/ Machine Gun Kelly took on the role of Tommy Lee in The Dirt. His portrayal of the Mötley Crüe drummer was largely commended for capturing the energy, charisma, and wild nature associated with Tommy Lee during the band’s heyday.

Machine Gun Kelly’s physical transformation, including his hairstyle and body language, mirrored Lee’s, and many scenes depicted in the film, particularly those featuring Machine Gun Kelly as Lee, felt reminiscent of archival footage and photographs of the drummer.

To prepare for the role, Machine Gun Kelly spent time with Tommy Lee, observing his mannerisms

To prepare for the role, Machine Gun Kelly spent time with Tommy Lee, observing his mannerisms, getting insights into specific events, and understanding the mindset of the character he was about to portray. This dedication to understanding and emulating Tommy Lee paid off, as many viewers and fans of Mötley Crüe felt Baker’s depiction was spot on.

Regarding the overall accuracy of The Dirt, like many biopics, the film took certain creative liberties with events and timelines for cinematic purposes. However, it did strive to stay true to the essence of the band’s journey and the key events that shaped them.

The film was based on the 2001 autobiography of the same name written by the band members and Neil Strauss, which provided firsthand accounts of their experiences. This source material offered an authentic foundation for the film.

The film was based on the 2001 autobiography of the same name written by the band members and Neil Strauss

It’s important to note that while many of the Machine Gun Kelly film’s wilder moments are rooted in fact, there were instances where events were dramatized, condensed, or rearranged for narrative flow.

Some critics and fans have pointed out discrepancies or omissions in the movie, but on the whole, The Dirt is seen as a reasonably accurate representation of Mötley Crüe’s tumultuous career, at least in capturing its spirit and major milestones.

In The Dirt, Machine Gun Kelly proves that his talents extend well beyond the music stage, diving deep into the world of acting and delivering a compelling performance as Tommy Lee. The film serves as a wild ride through the highs and lows of Mötley Crüe’s journey, with Baker’s portrayal standing out as both genuine and captivating.

For fans of rock ‘n’ roll, the tumultuous world of Mötley Crüe, or those curious to see Machine Gun Kelly’s range as an actor, The Dirt on Netflix is undoubtedly worth the watch.