Based on an original story by Josh O’Connor (La Chimera, Challengers), ‘Bonus Track’ is the feature film directorial debut of Julia Jackman. The coming-of-age romcom follows the story of a teenager with a dream of music stardom as he figures out his future and his identity after a new student enrols at his school.
‘Bonus Track’ world premiered at the 2023 BFI London Film Festival on October 5, 2023. It also screened at the 2024 Make Believe Seattle and the 2024 Stockholm Filmfestival Junior. The film was released in UK as a Sky Original Movie in June 2024.
Starring in the film are Joe Anders, Samuel Small, Jack Davenport, Alison Sudal, Ray Panthaki, Susan Wokoma, and Josh O’Connor.
Release Date
Directed by Julia Jackman, ‘Bonus Track’ opens in select US theaters on October 11, 2024.
Synopsis
It’s 2006, and George – a small-town sixteen-year old – is on the road to complete social and academic failure. He dreams of being a star, knows he’s a gifted musician – but no one else seems to agree…
So, when Max – the son of a mega-famous musical duo – enrolls at his school and takes an interest in his music, George can’t believe it! Neither can anyone else. But as the boys grow closer, George begins to question why he actually wants to spend time with Max… George is faced with a potential dream come true – if he can just figure out what that dream now really is…
Reviews
Nikki Baughan from Screen International gave the film a positive review, writing, “Two charming lead performances, and a largely positive depiction of adolescent homosexuality — although perhaps not entirely realistic for its 2006 setting — should chime with its intended teen audience…”
Peter Bradshaw in a Guardian review gave the film a score of 3/5, writing, “It’s an entertaining and sympathetic movie, if a bit route one, and audiences might possibly feel that TV shows like Sex Education and Heartstopper go a bit further and with more contemporary nous. But nice performances from Anders and Small bolster this movie’s likability factor.”
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for ‘Bonus Track.’