Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is a touch of nostalgia for the Internet generation that still finds a way to hold up as a comedy in its own right.
Director: Matt Johnson
Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 95′
SXSW World Premiere: March 9, 2025
U.S. Release Date: TBA
U.K. Release Date: TBA
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is an adventure nearly two decades in the making. Starting as a small webshow in the early days of YouTube, “Nirvanna the Band” soon became a proper series and now a feature film. It is an absurd, self-referential, quite heartwarming comedy which does not require knowledge of the series or the characters to understand.
Since the whole premise is a riff on Back to the Future, a movie everyone has seen, this is all the context anyone needs to “get” it. Plus, the zany Internet humor is enough to give anyone a few laughs.
The multitalented and hilarious creative duo Matt Johnson and Jay Mccarrol play caricatures of themselves, much like on the show. The initial conflict involves the two of them trying to book a show at Toronto’s famous bar The Rivoli, even though they have never finished a song. The plan involves parachuting off the CN Tower into Rogers Center to attract the attention of thousands of new fans. After this plan fails, Matt accidentally creates a time machine and magically transports the duo to the year 2008, where they have a chance to rewrite their history at the start of their careers. The unbelievable premise is self-aware and irreverent, leading to many hilarious mishaps.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is not a typical midnight movie. It takes an absurd story and adds subtext and nuance to it by making these characters believable. All the elements of time travel stories and live-acted comedies are deconstructed in unpredictable ways. The fourth wall breaks make for the best jokes, where even the cameraman is a character. While there are a few in-jokes for the fans, newcomers will not be put off by them and may even be encouraged to check out Nirvanna the Band’s back catalog because of this movie.
In the midst of all the comedy, there is also genuine heart. Jay and Matt are friends, and the lengths they go to in order to maintain their friendship are heartwarming and moving. In the second half, a separation leads to a breakdown for both of them, but this shows how much they mean to one another and how they play off each other’s strengths. Jay is the straight man who lets the situations happen around him without question, while Matt is the insane ideas man whose attempts usually end in failure, but he never allows them to ruin his incurable optimism. Both of them need each other to continue their paths in life, so you understand how their friendship stands the test of time.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is basically a millennial version of The Blues Brothers. It takes an already familiar cast of characters and makes the most absurd but still in character scenario to expand to feature length. The concept and humor run the risk of wearing thin after an extended run time, but the duo manages to pull it off. While some of it does drag, it does a fine job at translating the show to a ninety minute runtime. This got a five-minute standing ovation at its South by Southwest World Premiere, so watch it before all the best jokes get spoiled.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie: Movie Plot & Recap
Synopsis:
After a failed attempt to garner interest in their band, two washed out musicians travel back in time to the year 2008, where they alter the trajectory of their careers.
Pros:
- It can be enjoyed without knowledge of the series
- Zany sense of humor
- Genuine heart at the friendship of the two leads
Cons:
- The story loses a bit of steam in the third act
- Some of the inside jokes may be lost on newcomers to the show
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie had its Premiere at SXSW on March 9, 2025 and will be screened again on March 11-12. Read our SXSW reviews and our list of films to watch at SXSW 2025!
