The song 's music video was directed by Cameron Duddy and Mars , and was released on October 15 , 2012 . The concept of the video shows Mars having a good time with his bandmates , doing things like smoking , drinking beer and playing games . He is also seen singing the song with his band at a club . The video has a vintage style reminiscent of VHS tapes . Mars said , " The concept is just old-fashioned fun . No story line , it 's not me singing to a girl , you get a good sense of what you 're going to get live ... It 's very VHS-y . I love that man , it takes me back to my childhood , when the tracking is off and the color is off , there 's a beauty in that . You 'd have to stand by the TV with , like , aluminum foil all over you . " Hugh McIntire of '' Billboard '' explained the video , writing , " Everything about " Locked Out of Heaven " – whether it be the video or the track itself – is retro . While the song references the early discography of The Police , the video takes us back a little bit further . From the style of their dress and the wonky-TV effects on the video , one might guess that Bruno and his friends are partying in the '70s . Only the Akai MPC sampler being played by a band member reminds the viewer that this video is , in fact , modern . " Idolator reviewer Sam Lansky wrote that Mars is " serving up all kinds of retro flavor in the clip for that song , which eschews the higher-concept vibe of his other videos ( dancing monkeys in ' The Lazy Song ' ) for a mellower vibe " , adding that the video is " all filtered with Instagram-evoking effects that give it the grainy feel of an old tape . " '' Rolling Stone '' , commented that the video takes place " in a dingy club " , however , " the real attraction here are the grainy visuals filmed in fake fuzziness , giving the clip a retro feel . " Chris Martins of '' Spin '' magazine said the video 's vintage style " may be slightly off since the song sounds far more Sting than Curtis Mayfield " , but regarded it as " a good one nonetheless . " The music video for the song received multiple awards and nominations . In 2013 , it received a nomination for Outstanding Music Video at the NAACP Image Award . At the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan , the visual received three nominations for Best Male Video , Video of the Year and Best Karaokee ! Song . It also received nominations for Video of the Year , Best Pop Video and Best Male Video , winning the latter at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards . The video received a nomination for Best International Video , a category decided by a Jury at the 2013 Los Premios Principales
2013 MTV Video Music Awards
2013 MTV Video Music Awards
Locked Out of Heaven