Spring 2020. The world came to a standstill, and Charli XCX—at the height of her career, just before a major concert tour—found herself alone in a rented house in Los Angeles. Instead of falling into creative stagnation, she announced an unprecedented project on Instagram: she would record a new album in forty days, and her fans—known as Angels—would become its co-creators. They’re pitching ideas for lyrics, recording video clips, designing the cover, and participating in live sessions. The film simultaneously followed the struggles of Charli herself and five fans from different corners of the world—each of whom is experiencing the pandemic in their own, unique way.

Charli XCX: Alone Together This is a documentary directed by the duo Bradley Bell and Pablo Jones-Soler. The filmmakers handed over some control over the material to the artist herself and her fan community, achieving a sense of extraordinary intimacy and raw authenticity. However, the film goes beyond the conventions of a music documentary: it is also a testament to how creativity and community can save a person in isolation—and how the relationship between a star and her fans can become something authentic and mutually healing.