Amy Winehouse Biopic Movie Trailer Sparks Backlash

The first trailer for the Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black dropped on Thursday, with the clip causing uproar online.

Starring British actress Marisa Abela, the film charts the late singer's rise to stardom, as well as her public battle with drug addiction and bumpy relationship with husband Blake Fielder-Civil (portrayed by Godless star Jack O'Connell).

The music legend passed away in 2011 from accidental alcohol poisoning at the tragically young age of 27 years old.

Wearing the star's signature beehive hairdo and winged eyeliner, Abela tackled Winehouse's mannerisms and famous London accent in the first-look trailer. Soundtracked to Winehouse's hit "Back to Black," the clip quickly racked up over 90,000 views on X, formerly Twitter.

However, the trailer divided viewers, with 27-year-old Abela's take on Winehouse not impressing some users.

"Not loving her voice," said @SilentGlowGirl.

"Looks and sounds nothing like her," agreed Nudrat Malghani.

"I want to like this film but after this trailer I ain't so sure," wrote HasanKa.

"I'm not getting Amy winehouse vibes through this actress," commented Reeltalker, while @princeshanghaii said: "Not convinced."

Others slammed Studio Canal, the production company behind the biopic, for making a film about Winehouse's short but eventful life.

"Absolutely NOT. Let Amy rest in peace," said @devnsworld.

"She deserves so much better," commented @DelionHimself11.

"Exactly what we all need: another movie about a troubled celebrity that will inevitably oversimplify and sensationalize their life for the sake of entertainment," wrote Joe.

Other users praised the trailer, expressing excitement for the upcoming film, released in the U.S. on May 10.

"This is gonna be my priscilla," said @SeasonOfLana.

"Oh yes I'm most definitely going to see this," commented CJ Montez.

"Looks awesome," agreed @AnEternalPeace.

"I just know Marisa Abela is about to eat the role up," wrote Joey. "She was born to play Amy."

Behind-the-scenes photos of Back to Black, released in January 2023, similarly split fans. Taken on the set in Central London, the snaps show Abela walking arm-in-arm with actor Eddie Marsan, who is playing the icon's father, Mitch Winehouse.

"This makes me very nervous about this film," wrote one fan upon the pictures' release, while another called the project "cringe."

Known for her jazz and soul-inspired sound, Winehouse attended the esteemed Brit School for the Performing Arts in London before launching her singing career at 16.

She shot to stardom in 2006 following the release of her second album, Back to Black. But as her fame soared, Winehouse began exhibiting unpredictable behavior. She was hounded by the paparazzi, becoming as known for her struggles with drugs and alcohol as for her voice.

Her on-again-off-again relationship with ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil—who inspired her Grammy-winning Back to Black album—was highly publicized. The pair met in a bar in 2005 and wed in 2007. The marriage only lasted two years, but the couple were reportedly reuniting and planning to remarry before she died in 2011.

The 41-year-old was in and out of prison throughout his relationship with Winehouse and was serving time for burglary when he was informed of her passing.

In 2015, British filmmaker Asif Kapadia won an Oscar for Amy, his documentary on the troubled star's life. However, Mitch Winehouse blasted the production, calling the film "negative, spiteful and misleading."

Back to Black is helmed by Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson, a friend of the singing sensation, and is approved by Winehouse's estate.