The wildly inventive comedy Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, directed by Matt Johnson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jay McCarrol, brings the cult characters from their indie web series and TV show to the big screen in a time-traveling adventure that feels both absurd and deeply affectionate.
In the film, Johnson and McCarrol play fictionalized versions of themselves, lifelong best friends and hopelessly unemployed bandmates, joined by a supporting cast including Ben Petrie, Ethan Eng, Luke Lalonde, Anthony Fantano, and Michael Scott as they stumble into one misadventure after another, all in the name of booking a show at a Toronto institution.
The movie debuted at South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival, followed by Toronto International Film Festival, where it opened the Midnight Madness program and won the People’s Choice Award. It is now set for a wide U.S. theatrical release on February 13, 2026, via Neon.
In Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, Matt and Jay’s attempt to book a gig at The Rivoli, a legendary Toronto venue, spirals into catastrophe, resulting in the duo and their friend/cameraman Jared being accidentally sent back in time to 2008. Stranded in the past, they must race to find a way back to the present while avoiding altering their own origins — a quest that leads them into a series of chaotic encounters, bizarre stunts, and self-aware meta-moments. Their mockumentary style blends improvised humor with crafted narrative, creating a comedy that’s both affectionate to its characters and relentlessly unpredictable.
Watch the official trailer for Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.