I can not believe that this movie exists. There has never been a film quite like Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, which is saying something considering how it’s directly riffing off of a cinematic classic. This one of a kind flick is the kind of genius lunacy that independent cinema can produce at its best. Will it be for everyone? No. Is it still the most creative thing I’ve seen in a very long time? For sure chutzpah and cinematic bravery, as well as just crafting an instant cult classic, this is the pinnacle of 2026 releases for me so far.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie defies easy description (you can hear me slowly hook Myles Hughes with a bit of a tease, before revealing more here on the latest episode of the Awards Radar Podcast). You literally could tell someone the entire plot of the film and it would spoil nothing, because seeing is believing here. Then again, even after seeing the movie, I can’t believe they got away with it, let alone that it turned out as phenomenal as it did. Am I being vague up front? Sure. Below, I’ll get into more. However, if just shouting from the rooftops that this is a must-see is good enough for you, stop reading now and check this one out. You can thank me later.
A mockumentary and big screen continuation of Nirvanna the Band the Show, we’re introduced to our heroes with an early clip from the show. Best friends Matt (Matt Johnson) and Jay (Jay McCarrol) are desperate to play a gig at the Rivoli in Toronto, despite never having written, let alone recorded, a song. That’s just a tiny detail, however, and they’re sure it will happen. Flash forward to years later and they’ve made no progress, though Matt’s latest idea is one he thinks will get them the notoriety needed for the coveted spot. His plan? “Skydive into the Skydome,” which means the pair will parachute off of Toronto’s CN Tower on to the field of the Rogers Centre. While that doesn’t go as expected, it’s incredible to see unfold. Undeterred, it’s on to the next plan.
The next scheme? Well, that’s to retrofit their RV into a version of the DeLorean from Back to the Future and claim to be time travelers needing to play the Rivoli. The thing is, Matt accidentally has invented a time machine, leading the pair to travel back in time to the year 2008. Needing an out of production soft drink to power their time machine, they also run into their 2008 versions of themselves. From here on, it feels criminal to spoil anything, but it’s safe to say, the ambitions of this indie flick only get more outrageous from here. My jaw was hanging open at several points in the second half of this movie.
No one will ever claim that Matt Johnson or Jay McCarrol are threats to win an Academy Award, but they play heightened versions of themselves well, especially when it comes to their friendship. There’s a sense that they’re constantly delighting in what they’re getting away with. McCarrol has more range to display here than Johnson, but there’s a commitment from Johnson that you have to tip your had to. Together, they’re the friend duo of 2026, as Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is very much a tribute to friendship. Also on hand are Ethan Eng, Reid Janisse, Ben Petrie, and Michael Scott, but this Johnson and McCarrol’s show.
Matt Johnson directs while co-writing with Jay McCarrol and Jared Raab. This is not quite as controlled as BlackBerry (which I reviewed fondly here), but it does very much build on his earlier found footage efforts The Dirties and Operation Avalanche. While smaller than BlackBerry, it’s easily Johnson’s most complicated shoot to date. When you see what Johnson, McCarrol, and Raab not just came up with, but were able to have Johnson film while he and McCarrol act it all at, you’ll be stunned. There’s a moment where Johnson turns to address the cameras about the improbability of anyone ever seeing this film, which is not just hilarious, but one of the moments of the year for me, in terms of cinematic joy.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie absolutely blew my mind. I’ve been incredibly vague, compared to what I want to say, though already referencing Back to the Future is more than enough. Just trust that this is a small scale masterpiece and you’ve never seen anything like it. Hell, you may never see a movie like this again. Moreover, I’m down for absolutely anything that Johnson opts to make next (he’s already directing the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony, which is fascinating). He’s a lunatic, to be sure, but the very best kind. I can’t wait for more of you to see this flick, since I’m just bursting to discuss it more. It’s positively insane that it even exists, let alone is this tremendously well done.
SCORE: ★★★1/2