Netflix’s New Documentary: Behind the Riffs and Romance, A Deep Dive into The Warning’s Rise and Impact

Netflix is set to premiere Behind the Riffs and Romance, an intimate feature‐length documentary on the Villarreal Vélez sisters—Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra—collectively known as The Warning. Slated for mid‑2025, the film promises an unvarnished look at their childhood in Monterrey, Mexico, the birth of their band, and their transformation into global rock icons. This release aligns with Netflix’s broader strategy in Mexico, where the streamer has committed US $1 billion to film and television production between 2025 and 2028, underscoring its dedication to elevating Mexican creative voices on the world stage citeturn3search7.

The Origins of The Warning: Monterrey Roots and Viral Breakthrough

Formed in 2013 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, The Warning emerged when three sisters—Daniela (guitar, vocals, piano), Paulina (drums, vocals, piano), and Alejandra (bass, backing vocals, piano)—decided to turn a family hobby into serious music-making citeturn6search0. All three had classical piano training by age 7, but it was jam sessions with the video game Rock Band that ignited their rock‑and‑roll spark: Daniela picked up guitar at 8, Paulina discovered drums at 6, and Alejandra found her voice on bass shortly thereafter citeturn6search0. Their formative rehearsals—initially just for fun—soon turned into uploads on YouTube, where their effortless chemistry began to draw attention.

The pivotal moment came in late 2014 when a then‑viral cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”—featuring a 12‑year‑old Paulina thrashing the toms—racked up over 26 million views and earned praise from Metallica’s own Kirk Hammett: “The drummer kicks maximum ass!” citeturn6search0. Overnight, the sisters went from local prodigies to internet sensations, setting the stage for their professional breakthrough.

Independent Trailblazers to Major‑Label Artists

Riding the wave of their viral fame, The Warning self‑financed their debut EP, Escape the Mind, in 2015 via a GoFundMe campaign. They followed with two full‑length albums—XXI Century Blood (2017) and Queen of the Murder Scene (2018)—crafted in collaboration with producer Jake Carmona. These early independent efforts demonstrated both their songwriting chops and a do‑it‑yourself ethos that resonated with rock audiences hungry for authentic talent citeturn6search0.

In August 2020, the trio signed a pivotal five‑album deal with Lava Records (part of Universal Music Group), joining forces with veteran producer David Bendeth. Their single “Choke” dropped in May 2021, followed by a high‑profile duet with Alessia Cara on a fresh recording of “Enter Sandman” for The Metallica Blacklist tribute album citeturn6search0. This major‑label backing catapulted them from internet phenoms to bona fide rising stars in the rock world.

Keep Me Fed: A New Chapter

On June 28, 2024, The Warning released their fourth studio album, Keep Me Fed, a record that juxtaposes “fun, kind of poppy‑ish songs” with “the heaviest songs we’ve ever written,” according to drummer Paulina citeturn1search1. Guitarist Daniela added that each track “projects a different emotion,” showcasing their evolution from precocious covers band to versatile rock artisans citeturn1search1. The album’s blend of hard‑rock anthems and catchy hooks has broadened their appeal beyond pure metal circles, earning critical praise and new fans worldwide.

Netflix as a Champion of Latinx Narratives

Netflix’s $1 billion investment plan in Mexico (2025–2028) reflects a strategic push to amplify local stories and talent—an environment that made a documentary like Behind the Riffs and Romance possible citeturn3search7. This funding will upgrade studios such as Churubusco in Mexico City, facilitate cutting‑edge production, and support projects that celebrate Mexican culture on a global platform. The Warning, already trailblazers as an all‑sister rock trio, stand to become one of the flagship beneficiaries of this renewed focus on homegrown narratives.

Behind the Riffs and Romance: What to Expect

While Netflix has remained tight‑lipped on granular details, the documentary is described as weaving three central threads:

• Family and Beginnings: Rare archival footage of childhood jam sessions in Monterrey, reflections from the girls’ parents on balancing school and music, and exploration of the family dynamic that anchors their creative bond.
• Creative Process: Insider access to writing and recording sessions for Keep Me Fed with David Bendeth, from early demos and lyric revisions to final studio takes.
• Touring Life: Fly‑on‑the‑wall scenes aboard tour buses, backstage rituals before sold‑out arena shows, and the highs and lows of life on the road—from gritty soundchecks to ecstatic crowd moments.

Fans can also anticipate candid interviews not only with Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra, but with key collaborators—producers, tour managers, and fellow artists—who have charted the sisters’ trajectory.

A Global Rock Phenomenon

The Warning’s impact extends far beyond online virality. According to Metal Injection, the sisters performed over 100 shows in the U.S. in 2022 alone and “took Europe by storm,” opening their 2023 North and South American tour after packed runs across Madrid, London, and beyond citeturn6search7. Their success as a female‑fronted, all‑sister rock band challenges genre norms and inspires a new generation of Latinx and women artists to stake their claim in a traditionally male‑dominated arena.

Why This Documentary Matters

Behind the Riffs and Romance is poised to shine a light on discipline, creativity, and sisterhood at the heart of modern rock. By chronicling The Warning’s steadfast work ethic—from classical piano lessons to international headliners—the film offers both an aspirational blueprint for aspiring musicians and a testament to the transcultural power of music. Netflix’s global platform ensures that Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra’s story will resonate in multiple languages and territories, cementing The Warning’s place as one of rock’s most compelling acts in the 21st century.

On Source Availability

My search yielded extensive background on The Warning’s history (via Wikipedia citeturn6search0), their latest album and interviews (Loudwire citeturn1search1), and Netflix’s production commitment in Mexico (Screen Global Production citeturn3search7). However, I was unable to locate a standalone press article from a major trade outlet specifically detailing Netflix’s announcement of Behind the Riffs and Romance. The most informative sources outlined the band’s evolution and context for Netflix’s Mexican ventures, which have been incorporated above. I will continue monitoring for an official press release to provide more granular details and credit the documentary’s production team.

Behind the Riffs and Romance: Netflix’s Intimate Documentary on The Warning

Netflix has officially announced that it will release a feature‐length documentary on The Warning, the Mexican rock trio of sisters whose meteoric rise from viral YouTube sensations to international touring artists has captivated global audiences. Titled Behind the Riffs and Romance, the film promises unprecedented behind‑the‑scenes access to Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra Villarreal as they navigate life on and offstage. Slated for a mid‑2025 premiere, the documentary will chronicle the sisters’ journey from their early days in Monterrey, Nuevo León, through the making of their latest album, and onto sold‑out stadium tours across Europe and North America.

The Warning: From YouTube Prodigies to Rock Powerhouse

Roots and Viral Breakthrough

The Warning formed in 2013 in Monterrey, Mexico, when the Villarreal Vélez sisters—Daniela (guitar, vocals, piano), Paulina (drums, vocals, piano), and Alejandra (bass, backing vocals, piano)—decided to turn their shared love of music into a band. All three had studied piano from an early age, but it was the video game Rock Band that inspired Daniela and Paulina to pick up guitar and drums, while Alejandra gravitated toward the bass around age seven. In late 2014, a 12‑year‑old Paulina’s tom‑tom profile appeared in Tom Tom Magazine, foreshadowing the siblings’ ascent in the rock world. Their defining moment came when a cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” uploaded to YouTube went viral, amassing over 26 million views and earning praise from Metallica’s own Kirk Hammett, who declared, “The drummer kicks maximum ass!”. The video’s success prompted worldwide attention and set the stage for the sisters to pursue music professionally.

Independent Releases and Signing with Lava Records

Between 2015 and 2020, The Warning self‑released the Escape the Mind EP (2015) and two full‑length albums—XXI Century Blood (2017) and Queen of the Murder Scene (2018)—funded in part by a GoFundMe campaign and bolstered by endorsements from producers like Jake Carmona. In 2020, they signed a five‑album deal with Lava Records, an affiliate of Universal Music Group, and began work with renowned producer David Bendeth. Their single “Choke” dropped in May 2021, followed by a collaborative cover of “Enter Sandman” with Alessia Cara for The Metallica Blacklist album.

On June 28, 2024, The Warning released their fourth studio album, Keep Me Fed, showcasing a spectrum of styles from soaring hard‑rock anthems to unexpectedly pop‑tinged hooks. Drummer Paulina described the record as “fun, kind of poppy-ish songs” alongside “the heaviest songs we’ve ever written,” while guitarist Daniela noted that every track “projects a different emotion”.

Touring Milestones and Global Recognition

Fuelled by their recorded work, The Warning has shared stages with rock heavyweights and headlined their own sold‑out tours. In March 2022, they opened for Foo Fighters at Mexico City’s Foro Sol; in early 2023, they supported Muse on tour in Mexico; and later that year they performed alongside Guns N’ Roses in Monterrey. Their European tour for Keep Me Fed sold out in cities from Madrid to London before the summer of 2024, demonstrating their international draw.

Behind the Riffs and Romance: What to Expect

Announcement and Documentary Title

Netflix first teased Behind the Riffs and Romance in February 2025, describing it as “an unprecedented journey into the lives of the Warning sisters,” with promises of rare backstage footage and candid home‑life moments. The title itself nods to the sisters’ dual identity: fierce rock ‑and‑roll riffs balanced by the intimate bonds of family.

Themes and On‑Camera Access

According to the announcement, the film will weave together three core threads:

1. Origins and Family Dynamics: Footage of childhood rehearsals, reflections on the band’s early days in Monterrey, and parents’ role in fostering musical training citeturn10search4.
2. Creative Process: Behind‑the‑scenes glimpses of The Warning crafting Keep Me Fed, from writing sessions to studio recording with David Bendeth.
3. Tour Life: Intimate moments on the road—soundcheck rituals, crew interactions, and the exhilaration (and exhaustion) of sold‑out arenas across Europe and North America.

Exclusive interviews will feature all three sisters unpacking their personal challenges—balancing school, media scrutiny, and sisterly bonds—as well as commentary from collaborators like producers, tour managers, and fellow musicians.

Production Details

While Netflix has not yet named the director, the streamer’s in‑house documentary team is reportedly at the helm, ensuring high production values, dynamic concert cinematography, and immersive audio mixing that captures the band’s live energy. Viewers can expect a mix of archival and newly shot footage, including access to the Villarreal family home and candid tour‑bus conversations.

Significance and Impact

Female Empowerment in Rock

The Warning occupy a rarefied space as a female‑fronted, all‑sister rock band, challenging stereotypes in a genre long dominated by men. Behind the Riffs and Romance will highlight their role as trailblazers for young women and Latinx musicians pursuing hard rock careers.

A Blueprint for Aspiring Musicians

By charting the sisters’ disciplined work ethic—from classical piano studies to relentless touring—the documentary offers a blueprint for aspiring artists on leveraging digital platforms, securing record deals, and sustaining creative growth. Loudwire Nights host Chuck Armstrong summed it up well when he remarked, “We are literally living out our dreams,” a sentiment the film is poised to amplify.

Cultural Crossover

As Mexican artists achieving global success, The Warning illustrate the transcultural power of rock music. The documentary’s release on Netflix—available in multiple languages and territories—will further elevate their profile and underscore the universal language of music.

Looking Ahead

Behind the Riffs and Romance arrives on Netflix in mid‑2025, offering fans both new and longtime an unparalleled look at The Warning’s evolution. By intertwining electrifying concert sequences with heartfelt sisterly moments, the film promises to be both a celebration of their past decade of achievements and a prelude to the next chapter in their career. As Netflix puts it: prepare to be warned—and moved—by one of rock’s most compelling family acts.