New Netflix Documentary Chronicles Devo’s Philosophy of De-Evolution

A new feature documentary titled Devo presents the authorized story of the new wave band known for its iconic red energy dome hats and the 1980 hit single “Whip It.” The film frames the group not as a novelty act but as a serious, multi-disciplinary art project born from a specific political trauma and guided by a consistent philosophical concept: the theory of “de-evolution.” Influenced by art movements like Dadaism, the band’s central argument is that their formation and artistic mission were a direct response to the Kent State University shootings on May 4, 1970, an event witnessed by founding members Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh while they were art students.

The documentary constructs its narrative chronologically, beginning with the band’s origins in Akron, Ohio. It details how the Kent State massacre solidified Casale and Mothersbaugh’s developing theory that humanity was not evolving but regressing into a state of dysfunction and herd mentality. This concept of de-evolution became the intellectual foundation for all of the band’s subsequent work, from their music and visual art to their satirical critiques of consumerism and conformity. The film follows their journey from early, confrontational performances at local art festivals to gaining the attention of influential musicians David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Neil Young. This support led to a record contract with Warner Bros. and their 1978 debut album, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, produced by Brian Eno. The narrative arc culminates with the band’s period of mainstream success following the release of their third album, Freedom of Choice, and its breakout single, “Whip It.” The film addresses how the song’s popularity, amplified by its distinct music video on the nascent MTV, led to a widespread misunderstanding of its satirical intent, cementing the band’s public image as quirky outsiders and what they felt was one of the most misunderstood bands in music.

DEVO

The Making of the Film

To tell this story, the film relies heavily on an extensive collection of archival material. Because Devo began as an art project with a strong interest in film and video, the filmmakers had access to a rich visual record of their career. The documentary incorporates a wide range of this footage, including early experimental films, self-produced music videos that predate MTV, and even recordings of their first confrontational performances to confused audiences. This archival content is interwoven with new interviews, primarily featuring co-founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, whose commentary provides the documentary’s main narrative voice. The film’s visual flow is characterized by energetic montages and collage elements, a style director Chris Smith modeled after Devo’s own music video for the song “Beautiful World” to mimic the band’s aesthetic.

The documentary is directed by Chris Smith, whose previous work includes American Movie, Fyre, “Sr.”, and Wham!. The project is the first fully authorized feature film about the band. It was produced by VICE Studios and Library Films in association with Mutato Entertainment, a music production house founded by Mark Mothersbaugh. The film’s executive producers and financiers include BMG, Fremantle Documentaries, and Warner Music Entertainment. After its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the documentary was acquired by Netflix for global distribution as part of a deal to showcase festival standouts.

Devo premieres today, August 19, on Netflix.