Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		2.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.0

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 20, 2026

Back in 2007, Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol joined forces to make a web series, with “Nirvanna the Band the Show” managing to delight viewers during its initial three year run. The creators returned to the idea for another few seasons of “Nirvanna the Band the Show” in 2017 for cable broadcast, giving the central idea of two friends and their dream to play a show at Toronto’s Rivoli performance space a little extra production polish. Johnson and McCarrol aren’t done with the brand just yet, co-scripting “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,” which brings the stars to the big screen for some additional tomfoolery, with this round involving a time travel nightmare that challenges friendships and career ambition, once again taking to the streets of Toronto for comedic mischief. And what a joyful viewing experience this is, as “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” delivers consistent laughs and craziness that should play well with fans, but remains accessible to all as Johnson (who also directs) and McCarrol get creative and downright crazy with this consistently surprising feature.

Matt (Matt Johnson) and Jay (Jay McCarrol) are roommates and bandmates, holding on to a dream to play the famous Rivoli bar in Toronto. However, they don’t have any music, making a booking impossible, though Matt is determined to make something happen with an outrageous publicity stunt. After failing to land a gig, Jay is finally ready to move on, privately booking a piano show in Ottawa, preparing to leave in the middle of the night. Matt has stayed up most of the evening turning their RV into a time machine, using inspiration from “Back to the Future,” though he accidentally spills his Orbitz drink into the Flux Capacitor. Jay and Matt are reunited on the road, and the time machine works, returning them to 2008, giving them a second chance to make their longstanding vision of performance a reality. However, messing with time causes problems for the pair, who face an incredible challenge to return to 2025 without the power of expired soda to help them.

In 2025, Matt and Jay are still striving to become Rivoli stars, though they still haven’t mastered the music part of the plan. They’ve been at this for years, with Matt the dreamer, always ready to cook up an idea to make something happen for the pair. Jay is the musician, and he’s gradually losing his spirit. “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” opens with Matt’s latest vision for publicity, putting the duo on a mission to reach the top of the CN Tower with parachutes under their clothes, aiming to jump off the structure and glide into a nearby baseball stadium for maximum exposure. “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” carries a documentary approach throughout the film, but there’s also some hidden camera work as Matt and Jay interact with everyday people, and these strangers aren’t too sure about such a dangerous plan, giving the actors room to riff.

The CN Tower stunt doesn’t end as planned for Matt and Jay, but it does establish the wild tone of “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,” which blends some reality with the world of the characters. And there’s cinema fandom too, as Matt eventually embarks on recreating “Back to the Future” by putting a time machine into his RV, and the film supports such adventuring by using fantasy mechanical parts from the 1985 classic, elements of plot, and composer McCarrol even works in sound-alike scoring to sell moments of suspense. Matt recognizes the “copyright nightmare” of it all, but the picture just goes for it, eventually returning to 2008, allowing Jay and Matt a chance to face their younger selves and deal with all the failures coming for them. Huge laughs are found in this section of “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,” as the material chooses unique targets to help identify how times have changed, with Jay and Matt suddenly in a world plastered with media spotlighting the megafame of future sexual predators, while a trip to the movies finds Matt stunned to find an audience laughing uproariously at scripted slurs. It turns out, a lot has changed over the last 17 years. The writing even sneaks in a shot at the baffling popularity of comedian Russell Peters.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (1.78:1 aspect ratio) for "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie" plays with time. There's a lot of digital trickery found during the viewing experience, with footage from 2008 and 2025 periodically blended together. Encoding troubles are prevalent as blockiness is present, limiting potential for detail. Trips to 2008 are captured with different equipment, offering an interlaced appearance. Color is capable, examining varied signage with nightlife walks, and living spaces offer warmer hues. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Compression is also troublesome, especially with 2008 footage, getting messy with banding and brief posterization.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix secures clear dialogue exchanges, with performances often caught in the wild, fighting background elements. Intelligibility isn't threatened. Scoring provides compelling support with defined instrumentation. Soundtrack selections are also healthy, with crisp vocals. Musical moods do fill out the surrounds at times, creating a more immersive listening event. Sound effects are sharp, and atmospherics are involving, exploring community bustle and extreme locations. Low-end isn't too challenged.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol, and the Production Team.

• Commentary #2 features Matt Johnson and the Post Team.

• "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie the BTS" (11:48) examines the making of the movie, and it's a fascinating look at all the tricks employed to sell the time travel fantasy, also highlighting the labor involved to recreate 2008 for the production.

• Animatics offer "Back to 2008" (11:58) and "Running Cable" (5:59).

• Alternate Opening (3:54) is provided.

• "Ethan" (2:26) is a deleted scene, exploring Matt's interaction with a supporting character from the alternate 2025.

• "Figured It Out" (20:44) collects miscellaneous items from the production experience, delivering behind-the-scenes activity as the shoots hits the streets and moves around sets. Deleted moments are included as well, and there's stunt-gone-wrong for Matt Johnson, who takes a hard fall in the RV.

• "Nirvanna the Band the Show" (21:18) is a 2016 episode of the series, titled "The Banner."

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As with all time travel pictures, messing with the past causes major problems. For "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie," issues between Jay and Matt inspire a mad dash to understand all that's changed and how much the men want things to return to normal, albeit for entirely different reasons. Again, surprises are plentiful in the feature, and time travel action is tremendously amusing to watch unfold, sold with capable visual effects and a deep passion for all things "Back to the Future." One doesn't have to be a fan of "Nirvanna the Band the Show" to enjoy "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie," as Johnson and McCarrol keep emotional conflicts and personal history understood. The focus here is on madcap fun with bellylaughs galore, and they deliver hugely with this wonderfully spirited endeavor, which is strictly out to provide a ride of Canadian humor and moviemaking creativity, creating a delightful viewing experience.