From Schoolboys to Rock Legends: Netflix’s Genesis – The Journey Begins Chronicles Five Decades of Musical Evolution
Netflix is diving deep into the roots of one of the most transformative bands in rock history with its upcoming documentary, Genesis – The Journey Begins. The film tells the extraordinary story of how five English schoolboys from Surrey evolved into one of the world’s most influential rock bands, blending art, theater, and emotion into a sound that shaped generations.
At its heart, The Journey Begins is more than a music documentary — it’s a portrait of friendship, reinvention, and creative courage. Using rare archival footage, never-before-seen interviews, and immersive storytelling, Netflix traces how Genesis carved a path from humble beginnings to global superstardom.
The Early Days: A Genesis in the Making
The film opens in the late 1960s at the Charterhouse School, where teenage classmates Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Anthony Phillips began writing songs together. Their early compositions were imaginative, experimental, and poetic — a reflection of their youthful curiosity and classical training.
Netflix paints these early years with warmth and nostalgia, showing how a group of boys, driven by a shared love for music, slowly discovered their collective voice. Viewers witness the band’s struggle to balance ambition with identity — as they navigated the pressures of an evolving rock scene while staying true to their artistic ideals.
The documentary captures the magic of their 1970s rise through mesmerizing footage of performances like The Musical Box and Supper’s Ready, where Gabriel’s stage costumes and storytelling created a new kind of rock theater. The band’s sound — layered, complex, and deeply emotional — redefined progressive rock.
Transformation and Triumph
The film’s middle act focuses on the turning point in Genesis’s story — the departure of Peter Gabriel in 1975. Many assumed the band would collapse without its enigmatic frontman. But Netflix’s narrative shines in illustrating how Genesis transformed instead of fading.
Phil Collins, the band’s drummer, reluctantly stepped up as lead vocalist, marking the beginning of a new era. His soulful yet powerful voice brought a different kind of energy — more direct, more human, and more commercially appealing. The film explores the creative dynamic between Collins, Banks, and Rutherford as they steered the band toward a new sound — one that bridged the gap between art rock and pop.
Through iconic albums like A Trick of the Tail, Duke, and Invisible Touch, Genesis achieved global fame, topping charts and selling out stadiums. Netflix highlights this golden era through restored concert footage and candid reflections from the band members, revealing the emotional and creative intensity that powered their success.
Behind the Music: Friendship, Tension, and Growth
While The Journey Begins celebrates Genesis’s triumphs, it doesn’t shy away from the challenges. The documentary delves into the personal and professional tensions that tested the band’s unity — from creative disagreements to the pressures of fame and touring.
Yet, what stands out is the enduring respect and affection among the members. Despite their individual paths — Gabriel’s avant-garde solo career, Collins’s meteoric rise as a pop icon, and Rutherford’s success with Mike + The Mechanics — their bond as artists remains evident.
The film captures touching reunions and introspective moments, where each member reflects on what Genesis meant to them. “It was never just about fame,” says Gabriel in one clip. “It was about expression — about creating something that still speaks long after we’re gone.”
A Legacy That Still Echoes
Netflix positions Genesis – The Journey Begins as both a time capsule and a celebration of endurance. The documentary pays homage to the band’s 50-year journey, from school halls to sold-out arenas, while exploring how their music continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
Modern artists and critics appear throughout the film, citing Genesis as pioneers of emotional storytelling in rock. Their influence can be heard across genres — from progressive and pop to electronic and cinematic music.
As the documentary builds toward its emotional finale, fans witness footage from the band’s farewell tour, The Last Domino?, capturing the bittersweet beauty of closure. The story comes full circle — five decades after their beginning, Genesis remains a symbol of creativity, reinvention, and brotherhood.
A Must-Watch for Music Lovers
With its stunning direction, lush cinematography, and heartfelt storytelling, The Journey Begins stands as one of Netflix’s most anticipated music documentaries of the year. It’s not just a chronicle of a band — it’s a tribute to the timeless power of art, resilience, and imagination.
For anyone who has ever picked up an instrument, written a song, or dreamed of making their voice heard, Genesis – The Journey Begins is a reminder that every legend starts somewhere — often in the most unexpected places.
