It is written and directed by Richard Lowenstein and relies primarily on rare archive footage, outtakes, private home video and audio commentary provided by friends, ex-partners, band members, record producers and family.
Mystify covers the life of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence, featuring private home video and archive footage.
In the early 1990s an incident occurred while cycling on holiday in Copenhagen with then girlfriend Helena Christensen, where Hutchence gets shoved to the ground by a taxi driver, hitting his head on the curb and losing consciousness.
The injury resulted in Hutchence having permanent loss of sense of smell and taste as discussed by psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist, Rachel Herz.
The film was to feature an actor as Hutchence, however the idea of casting someone proved very difficult and with the announcement of the miniseries INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, it made the director switch to an archival documentary.
[9] In July 2016, it was announced that a documentary film about the singer-songwriter Michael Hutchence had the official support of INXS band members and manager Chris Murphy, with Richard Lowenstein signed on to direct.
[15] In October 2017, long negotiations began for the rights to use INXS music in the film, but ended with no deal due to a dispute with Murphy of Petrol Records over the documentary’s ownership in return.
Music also included are by Hutchence, Max Q with Ollie Olsen, Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave, instrumentals by Ólafur Arnalds and Nils Frahm.
[22][23][24][25] Advance screenings with Lowenstein in attendance for special Q&A sessions followed in June, at the Astor Theatre in Melbourne, Ritz Cinema in Sydney and the European premiere held at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The extra features include an interview with director Richard Lowenstein and producer Chris Thomas, deleted scenes and theatrical trailer.
The site's critical consensus reads, "Engrossing for casual listeners as well as hardcore fans, Mystify: Michael Hutchence sheds a poignant light on a life and career cut short by tragedy.
"[67] Graham Fuller of Screen International called the film a "Stand-out documentary" and wrote, "The densely woven and worshipfully presented archival footage of the INXS frontman, on stage and off, is a reminder that in terms of wild talent and Dionysian sexiness, he belongs in the same company as Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, and Robert Plant."
"[4] Harry Windsor, writing for the Hollywood Reporter, said: "It should prove essential viewing for the subject's fans: a tender portrait of the man's highs and lows that sheds new light on the broken years that directly preceded his suicide at 37.
"[18] Leigh Paatsch writing for the Herald Sun gave the film 4/5 stars, saying: "Quite wisely, the new documentary Mystify: Michael Hutchence doesn't concern itself with smoothing out all the erroneous wrinkles that have crumpled the late INXS frontman's life story over time.
[70] Vicky Roach from The Daily Telegraph gave the film 3 out of 5, saying: "While it’s more visually interesting, there are times when this storytelling device results in a kind of emotional disconnect.
"[71] DM Bradley, writing for the Adelaide Review, said: "Richard Lowenstein’s beautifully sad documentary study of the all-too-short life of his late friend Michael Hutchence is a most moving memorial, and rather more about the man than the music.
"[73] Eddie Harrison of The List awarded the film 4 out of 5 stars, remarking that "Mystify can only be a cautionary tale, yet there's plenty of evidence that Hutchence was an electrifying performer in his prime.
"[74] Time Out’s, Philip De Semlyen described it "As the tragedy unfolds, there's a strange solace in seeing this captivating enigma somehow emerging intact", giving it 4 out of 5 marks.