In a world filled with hatred and fear, sometimes a movie comes along and gives you an unexpected – and desperately needed – positivity boost. That’s exactly what the Jason Mraz-produced music documentary, The Opener, about the rise to stardom of TikToker Philip Labes, did for me. It was like an endorphin shot to the heart, mind, and soul that simply made me feel better about the world and strength of the human spirit.
Philip Labes was a young TikToker musician during the height of COVID lockdown and used the platform to express his emotions of loneliness and alienation via his exquisite acoustic singing and songwriting. His songs soon found a following, and during one live stream, the Jason Mraz just so happened to hop on to listen. Flash forward 3 months later and Labes was on the road with Mraz during his LOOK FOR THE GOOD LIVE! tour in the summer of 2021 as the titular opener. Flabbergasted by this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Labes brought along his two good friends, one of whom was an aspiring director, to film the experience for a documentary.
Not only is Labes extremely talented and original with his beautiful acoustic musings about life, but his mindset and mentality is comprised of such strength, empathy, and hopefulness that it’s impossible for the audience to not be utterly consumed by that same hope.
He’s confident, yet humble. He’s determined, yet kind and compassionate. He’s often filled with anxiety, but still is able to let go of and accept things that are out of his control. It’s the pinnacle of a true rags-to-riches story that you want to stand up and cheer for his success at the top of your lungs. He’s the kind of person that deserves success and admiration; not only because of his exquisite musical talent, but because of who he is as a human being.
The Opener hit my heart so hard and I’m incredibly grateful to have seen it on a whim at the 2025 Twin Cities Film Fest. It’s the kind of documentary that can significantly impact one’s view of the world for the better.
