Bastards of Soul Review: A Powerful & Emotional Documentary!

Bastards of Soul is a music documentary that follows the East Dallas soul band of the same name as they record what would become their final album with frontman Chadwick Murray. What begins as a film about music, friendship, and creativity slowly transforms into something much more emotional as it captures the final chapter in Chadwick’s life. Even for viewers who know nothing about the band going in, the documentary creates a strong enough connection that by the end, it feels like you have lived through this experience alongside them.

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The film follows the band as they reunite after the pandemic to record music together in the studio. Instead of relying heavily on computers or modern production shortcuts, the group records the old-fashioned way, with everyone playing together live in the same room. Alongside these recording sessions, the documentary explores Chadwick Murray’s personal journey—his early years as a bass player, his eventual rise as the band’s lead vocalist, and the life he built with his family. As the documentary progresses, Chadwick’s health begins to decline, eventually leading to his tragic death from a rare autoimmune disease shortly after the birth of his son.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the documentary is simply watching the band work together. Bastards of Soul is a large group, and there is something really fascinating about seeing all of these musicians come together after COVID and create music in such a raw, old-school way. Watching them jam, bounce ideas off one another, and build songs together makes the creative process feel very alive. There is an energy in those scenes that reminds you why live music can be so special. It feels organic, messy, and real in the best possible way.

The documentary also does a very good job of showing who Chadwick Murray was as a person. It explores how he went from being a bass player to becoming the face and voice of the band, but more importantly, it highlights what kind of man he was outside of music. He comes across as grateful, humble, and deeply devoted to his family. Those personal moments make it easier to understand why everyone around him cared about him so much.

What makes the film hit even harder is that I went into it without knowing anything about the band or what was going to happen. At first, I was wondering why the documentary was focusing so heavily on Chadwick when there were so many other members in the band too. I kept thinking maybe it was simply because he was the lead singer.

As his health started getting worse, I still thought it was something temporary and that he would recover and come back. So when the documentary revealed that he had passed away, it genuinely shocked me. What made it even more heartbreaking was learning that his wife was in labor at the same hospital while he was being treated. The idea that his son was being born while Chadwick was fighting for his life, and that he never truly got the chance to see him in person, put me in a very sad mood.

Overall, Bastards of Soul is a powerful and emotional documentary that is about much more than just music. It is about friendship, family, passion, and the fragility of life. By the end, the film becomes a moving tribute to Chadwick Murray and a reminder to appreciate the people and moments we often take for granted. ‘Bastards of Soul’ is out now on Prime Video  and Apple TV from Austin native filmmaker Paul Levatino—one of the best releases to catch this April.

‘Bastards of Soul’ Rating – 4/5