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The Canadian comedy Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, released February 13, isn’t just a film. it’s a layered, self-referential experience that playfully bends time, reality, and the very notion of a band trying to make it. Director and co-writer Matt Johnson, alongside composer and co-star Jay McCarrol, deliver a meta-comedy that’s as much about the making of the film – and the web series and television show that preceded it – as it is about the band itself. The film, described as an indie take on “Back to the Future,” throws audiences into a whirlwind of timelines and formats, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers, though the experience may vary depending on prior familiarity with the Nirvanna universe.
For those unfamiliar, Nirvanna the Band the Show originated as a web series created by Johnson and McCarrol between 2007 and 2009, later adapted into a Viceland television series that ran for two seasons from 2017 to 2018. According to Wikipedia, a third season was partially produced but remains unaired. The film builds upon this history, presenting a narrative where Johnson and McCarrol, playing fictionalized versions of themselves, attempt increasingly outlandish schemes to achieve musical success. Their latest, and most ambitious, plan involves time travel.
The film kicks off with a spectacularly ill-advised stunt: a parachute jump from Toronto’s CN Tower into the Rogers Centre stadium. This audacious attempt at publicity, documented with a guerrilla filmmaking style reminiscent of Sacha Baron Cohen, fails spectacularly but sets the stage for the central conceit of the movie. Driven by desperation, Johnson proposes traveling back to 2008 in an RV to alter their past and secure their band’s fame. This premise immediately establishes the film’s playful relationship with the 1985 classic, “Back to the Future,” a connection that permeates the narrative, both structurally and musically. McCarrol’s orchestral score even pays homage to Alan Silvestri’s iconic composition for the original film.
What sets Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie apart is the clever apply of archival footage from the 2008 web series. Johnson and McCarrol essentially act opposite their younger selves, creating a dynamic where altering the past leads to unexpected and often hilarious consequences. The resulting timeline sees McCarrol achieving pop stardom while Johnson is left behind, fueling a jealousy-driven farce that forms the core of the film’s comedic engine. As the Los Angeles Times notes, the film shows “little audience favoritism,” embracing confusion as part of the experience.
The film’s appeal will undoubtedly be heightened for those already invested in the Nirvanna saga. The frantic climax, echoing the iconic lightning-meets-DeLorean scene from “Back to the Future,” will resonate as a nostalgic callback. Though, newcomers may uncover themselves grappling with the film’s intricate layers and inside jokes. Despite this, Johnson’s deadpan humor and the sheer audacity of the filmmaking approach create a compelling viewing experience.
Johnson and McCarrol’s commitment to DIY filmmaking and their willingness to embrace absurdity are on full display. As NPR’s Scott Simon points out in a recent interview, explaining the film is a challenge in itself. The film’s runtime is 1 hour and 35 minutes and is rated R for language and brief violence.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie isn’t just a comedy; it’s a testament to the power of independent filmmaking and the enduring appeal of a good, self-aware joke. While a sequel hasn’t been officially announced, the film’s open-ended nature and dedicated fanbase suggest that this may not be the last we see of Nirvanna’s time-traveling misadventures.
What comes next for Johnson and McCarrol remains to be seen, but their track record suggests they’ll continue to push boundaries and challenge expectations. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is currently playing in limited release, and is sure to spark conversation among fans of meta-comedy and independent film. What did you reckon of the film? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
