The Netflix documentary “Karol G: Mañana Será Bonito” (Tomorrow Was Beautiful), released on May 8, starts with flashing lights and a roaring crowd but is quickly interrupted with the quiet hum of a home video: Karol G as a little girl creating music in her hometown of Medellín, Colombia. From this opening scene, it’s clear that the 1 hour and 48 minute film not only follows Karol G on the 2023-24 world tour for her chart-topping album but also offers a personal glimpse into her journey as an artist and a Latina woman.

Despite the glamour and spectacle of a global tour, this Netflix documentary is an inspiring film on the progress and achievements of a Latina artist discovering her voice.

During the final tour performance, Karol G stands in front of nearly 300,000 fans. With tears in her eyes, she says, “And if there is something beautiful that this album has given me, it’s learning to love myself.” This powerful moment shows growth because learning to love herself wasn’t always easy.

To appreciate how far Karol G has come, the documentary highlights footage from her childhood. Viewers see Karol G transition from a child growing up in a loving family to her teenage years on Colombia’s “El Factor X” television talent show. Scenes from her childhood in Medellín are interspersed with tour footage, showing the progress of someone who rose from humble local performances to selling out stadiums.

Viewers also have the chance to see a more vulnerable side of Karol G as she battles exhaustion, homesickness and the pressure of maintaining a “perfect” appearance while performing. Karol G opens up about various obstacles she has overcome during her rise to stardom, such as being taken advantage of by male managers at a young age, toxic relationships and struggling with her identity. 

This film is inspirational, especially for Latinx audiences. Karol G speaks openly about the significance of representing her Colombian and Latinx communities. From her historic two-night performance at Medellín’s Estadio Atanasio Giradot to hosting her final concert with 260,000 spectators in Madrid, the documentary showcases her success not just as an achievement for her, but for the Latinx community — in music and beyond.

“Karol G: Mañana Será Bonito” offers something meaningful for longtime fans and those learning about Karol G for the first time. It goes beyond the typical concert film to showcase the emotional and cultural complexities of being a global artist representing an underrepresented community. By letting viewers see her struggles and achievements, the documentary reminds viewers of Karol G’s hard work in staging the highest grossing and most attended tour by any Latina artist in history. Just like the album’s title promises, for Karol G, mañana será bonito.