Film Threat by Hunter Lanier

Instead of stitching together interviews and footage into a chronological plot, Wharton goes with the proverbial flow.

The Film Stage by Christopher Schobert

A vivid, compelling documentary.

TheWrap by Steve Pond

The old footage puts us in the studio in 1994, the new moments supply some valuable context and the ragged nature of the film eventually begins to feel of a piece with the ragged nature of the album.

Little White Lies

It’s a film that simply enhances the feeling that America has been prematurely deprived of one of its finest musical ambassadors. Irrespective of location, however, we’re all poorer without him.

The Hollywood Reporter by Sheri Linden

Somewhere You Feel Free is a love letter to Petty, but also to that most mysterious of alchemies, the chemistry of a rock 'n' roll band.

Consequence by Clint Worthington

Somewhere You Feel Free is a beautiful musical tribute to one of rock’s greatest figures, gone all too soon. Just don’t expect to learn too many deep dark secrets about the man in the process.

The Playlist by Rodrigo Pérez

Somewhere You Feel Free certainly captures the spirit of the time, the sadness, the warm-heartedness, and the creative openness, but one could easily argue it doesn’t really add that much substantive value, beyond some of the making-of stories and what’s already there in the poignant grooves of the music.

Variety by Owen Gleiberman

It’s so removed from having a dark side that you know you’re getting the feel-good version of a Tom Petty portrait.

IndieWire by David Ehrlich

"Somewhere You Feel Free” doesn’t develop into a snapshot so much as a loving impression of a legend gone too soon. But the beautiful 16mm footage (with the new interviews shot to match) will trigger warm memories from Petty’s truest fans, and Wharton interprets the music in a way that should allow this film to serve as an irresistible entry point for neophytes who don’t realize how many Petty songs they already know by heart.