Must-Watch : Avicii: I’m Tim – A Heartbreaking Documentary
By Alexandre Trochut
The Netflix documentary Avicii: I’m Tim, released this Tuesday, chronicles the meteoric rise and tragic end of Swedish musician Tim Bergling, known globally as Avicii. The artist behind iconic hits like Levels and Wake Me Up took his own life at the age of 28, leaving behind a legacy as profound as it is heartbreaking.
Directed by Henrik Burman, the film draws from over 100 hours of intimate, family and personal video archives. The true emotional weight of the documentary, however, lies in the audio recordings of Tim himself. Hearing his voice narrate his life, his emotions, and his struggles in his own words is profoundly moving, especially with the foreknowledge of his devastating fate.
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I was a lot happier before I was famous then after I was famous.
Avicii
Tim reflects on his idyllic childhood, growing up with what he describes as “the best parents in the world” who provided him with “an exemplary upbringing.” Viewers see glimpses of a young Tim sailing with classmates, shy and withdrawn, often teased and isolated. This sense of being different, of not quite fitting in, would shape his life and career in ways both remarkable and painful.
The documentary traces Tim’s journey from discovering music production software to creating his first tracks alone in his bedroom. His early collaborations with a high school friend marked the beginning of his passion, which would eventually lead him to upload tracks to a music blog. These uploads caught the attention of producer and future manager Arash “Ash” Pournouri, who would become a pivotal figure in Tim’s career.
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Artists are people, we’re all creators. People who create shit, and then they’re throw into an environment & an industry where it’s about chasing how many views you have, how many comments. It’s become almost impossible to stay away from.
Avicii
What follows is a dizzying ascent into global stardom. The film captures the creation of legendary tracks like Levels, the song that catapulted Avicii into the stratosphere. A daring negotiation by his manager secured a €500,000 deal with Universal, a gamble that quickly paid off. As the head of his label recalls, “We made that money back in six weeks,” so phenomenal was the track’s success.
The documentary also offers behind-the-scenes moments, from the birth of Levels to the recording session for Wake Me Up with Aloe Blacc, whose powerful vocals transformed the song into an anthem. Tributes from music icons like Nile Rodgers, David Guetta, and Chris Martin underscore the impact of Avicii’s artistry. Martin, recalling their collaboration on A Sky Full of Stars, admits, “I was jealous for about ten minutes when I first heard it.”
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I was running after some like an ideal of happiness that wasn’t my own. I didn’t like being a persona, I didn’t like having a persona, I didn’t like having to be Avicii and then having to be Tim.
Avicii
Yet, these career highlights pale in comparison to the raw, unfiltered testimony from Tim himself. Interspersed with electrifying footage of shows, tours, and studio sessions, his words paint a harrowing picture of a young man overwhelmed by fame.
“I was so much happier before I became famous,” he confesses. “This life wasn’t for me.” His self-awareness is chilling in hindsight, as he speaks of relentless anxiety, pressure, and the feeling of “a stone in my stomach.” Struggling to cope, Tim became dependent on painkillers, spiraling further before ultimately deciding to step back, seek help, and try to find peace.
The documentary captures both the brilliance and the anguish of a singular talent whose music touched millions but whose inner turmoil remained unresolved. Avicii: I’m Tim is not just a tribute to a musical genius but a poignant reminder of the toll of fame and the fragility of those who create. Avicii: I’m Tim is available now to watch on Netflix.
You can also read here our editorial about the documentary & our views.
