By: Mariah Thomas
Miley Cyrus’s film Something Beautiful is like a shattered glass heart. Each segment is a broken shard’s reflection. It is more than stringing together music videos for an album, rather it is taking the viewer into the world of the song. Each one is different from the other. Every visual is vastly different in theme, mood and story told. Cyrus had a clear vision for this project and created something beautiful.
Something Beautiful is the 9th studio album from Miley Cyrus. The film of the same title takes fans into the world creating it. It is an abstract world filled with bright colors and big emotions that seamlessly travels through time. With some songs holding electric sounds of previous decades, the visuals match the sound. The stories told center around “healing from trauma and finding beauty in the darkest moments of life.” Though it may not be for everyone, the passion that exists in both projects cannot be denied.
What I enjoyed most about this project is the true love and passion that lives inside. Even if at times it felt slow or a song wasn’t my favorite, I still enjoyed what I was watching. Additionally, the lively and flashy costumes added to the experience. Though Miley has long moved on from her Disney days, I couldn’t help but be reminded of “Hannah Montana” watching this film in the best ways. It felt as if this is the album and film a modern day Hannah would put out. Of course, it is still a testament to Miley and her growth as an artist outside of Hannah.
Cyrus directed alongside Jacob Bixenman and Brendan Walter. Together the three created an experience that lifts music into a visual world. There isn’t much of a consistent story that ties each segment together; however, each segment is uniquely individual. Each visual is simple yet effective. It takes the sound and concept of the song and turns it into a character portrayed by Miley. Along with location changes, her costumes and appearance drastically change, too.
Something Beautiful took part in 2025’s Tribeca Film Festival. It was the perfect choice to bring this film to the world. As a fan of Miley’s work, this is surely a worthwhile watch to see her growth and evolution of her artistry. If you are in need of a mind freeing way to kill an hour, this is also a worthwhile watch. You simply get to experience the sounds and visuals of someone’s true passion. This is not a project for everyone, but for the right audience it is sure to be loved and appreciated.