Netflix has officially released the trailer for its upcoming Leonard Cohen documentary, sending waves of excitement through fans of the late singer-songwriter and poet. Titled “Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen’s Journey”,
the film promises an intimate look at the man behind some of the most enduring songs of the 20th century, including his masterpiece “Hallelujah.”
The trailer opens with Cohen’s voice echoing over archival footage—slow, thoughtful, unmistakably his. It sets the tone for a documentary that is more than just a biography; it’s a meditation on artistry, devotion, and the cost of living life through verse. The music swells beneath vintage film reels, handwritten lyrics, and interviews with those closest to the artist.
Directed by the acclaimed duo Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine, Hallelujah draws from hundreds of hours of unseen material. It charts Cohen’s spiritual and creative evolution—from a young poet in Montreal to a monk in a Zen monastery, and finally to a global music icon. The film also takes a deep dive into the strange, twisting journey of his song “Hallelujah,” which was initially rejected by his label before becoming one of the most covered songs in modern music.
Throughout the trailer, we hear from a wide range of collaborators, scholars, and artists who were inspired by Cohen’s work. Interviews with people like Judy Collins, Rufus Wainwright, and Sharon Robinson provide deeply personal insights into Cohen’s perfectionism, grace, and mystique. “He didn’t just write songs,” one voice says in the trailer. “He translated the sacred.”
The documentary also gives attention to Cohen’s inner contradictions. Known for his spiritual hunger and long periods of seclusion, Cohen remained deeply engaged with the world—particularly its sorrows. The trailer features glimpses of his performances during wartime, footage from his infamous 1970 Isle of Wight concert, and clips from the final tour he gave in his 80s, just months before his death in 2016.
What’s especially striking is the emotional texture of the trailer. Unlike many music documentaries that rely heavily on flash and celebration, Hallelujah leans into stillness. It honors Cohen’s silence as much as his sound, allowing the viewer to feel the slow, sacred rhythm of his creative process. It is a visual poem more than a promotional reel.
Netflix has timed the documentary’s release to coincide with what would have been Cohen’s 91st birthday, adding even more weight to its debut. Early critics’ previews have hailed it as “reverent,” “haunting,” and “unexpectedly moving,” suggesting that the film may serve not just as a portrait of a legend, but as a cultural reckoning with loss, legacy, and the eternal search for meaning.
Fans have already taken to social media to express their anticipation. Some are sharing their favorite Cohen lyrics. Others are reflecting on how his music has helped them through moments of heartbreak and transformation. It’s a reminder that Leonard Cohen’s songs have always belonged to something bigger than himself—they are hymns for the human condition.
This isn’t the first time Cohen’s life has been adapted for screen, but according to those close to the project, it’s the first time it’s been done with this level of access and reverence. Cohen’s estate reportedly gave full approval to the production, including access to notebooks, rare recordings, and private letters never before made public.
In a music landscape increasingly dominated by algorithms and spectacle, a documentary like this feels almost radical in its quiet depth. Netflix has once again positioned itself as a curator of culture, not just a distributor. By championing a story like Cohen’s, the platform honors complexity, integrity, and the slow, painful art of becoming.
As the trailer fades to black, Cohen’s gravelly voice lingers: “There is a crack in everything—that’s how the light gets in.” The documentary Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen’s Journey will premiere globally on Netflix next month. And if the trailer is any indication, it will be an experience worthy of the man who turned sorrow into scripture.
