SXSW: ‘Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie’ Is Madcap Comic Genius

Matt Johnson is one of the most daring voices in independent film right now. After the rousing success of his 2023 feature Blackberry, Johnson was given funding by the Canadian government via Telefilm to make whatever he wanted, and he chose to make Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. If the rowdy audiences and standing ovation at the film’s SXSW 2025 premiere are any indication, that’s money well spent. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is a madcap delight. The brainchild of Matt Johnson and co-star/co-writer Jay McCarrol, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is chaos incarnate—a film as notable for its belly laughs per minute as it is for its guerrilla filmmaking.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, based on the web series and subsequent Viceland TV show of the same name, follows Matt (Johnson) and Jay (McCarrol), two musicians who still have yet to land a coveted gig at the Rivoli after over 17 years of practice. After a series of attempts gone wrong to secure their concert, an absurd accident transports them to the year 2008. There, their plan to alter their destiny goes off the rails as the friendship between band members crumbles.

The humor that Nirvanna fans have come to love over the years is absolutely present here. The chemistry of the motormouth Matt against the more subdued Jay presents a lovable duo worth following in their adventures. Moreover, Johnson and McCarrol maintain an irreverent silliness throughout their filmmaking, where it feels as if anything could happen.

Whether it be fourth wall breaks questioning how the two are even able to get away with this film (more on that later) or a spontaneous burst of violence, Nirvanna is anything but predictable. Sometimes, though, the funniest parts are simple riffs on the 2008 time period, specifically a scene where Matt watches The Hangover and is befuddled by the whole audience laughing at a slur.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is a testament to independent filmmaking.

The real gold in Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie comes from its sheer recklessness. While watching parts of this film, one might be inclined to ask themselves, “How is any of this legal?” Well, it turns out it might not be. During a screening of the film, Matt Johnson clarified that no permission for anything in the film had been requested. Considering that this film includes several Mission: Impossible-esque stunts, in public no less, that’s a wild notion to consider. The cherry on top is a constant flirtation with material that feels close to violating copyright, a blatant rebellious move that just adds to the energy.

Much like films like Borat and the Jackass franchise, Nirvanna has the two main characters interacting with the unsuspecting public. This means that Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol rebuilt and reconfigured their story around these interactions. Considering this is a highly complicated time travel yarn, that’s impressive. Even more so fascinating is that they’re able to recreate 2008 without much production design work, with cinematographer Jared Raab panning away from any indicators of 2025. Throw in the constant evasion of the police, and this film is a downright miracle.

A perfect score is not to be taken lightly. Oftentimes, there’s an inclination to come out of a film buzzing with the sensation to give out that golden rating with some residual regret on the part of the critic afterward. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie deserves its flowers, without question.

Matt Johnson’s latest is a laugh riot that doubles as a “they can’t keep getting away with this” kind of stunt and a testament to independent filmmaking ingenuity. Whether or not Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie ever screens again for legal reasons is up in the air, but it earns the distinction of being the most punk rock project to hit SXSW 2025.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie premiered as part of the 2025 SXSW Film Festival on March 9. The film currently has no released distribution information.