Cast: Mason Thames, Kyir Coffman, Ryan Foust, Mckenna Grace
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Director: Lee Kirk
In Irish Cinemas: Now
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about Nimrods. It’s the kind of coming-of-age road movie that feels as though it has been pulled straight from the 1990s, complete with teenage ambition, questionable decisions, chaotic friendships and a soundtrack packed with Green Day.
At the centre of the story is Tommy (Mason Thames), an aspiring musician determined to get his band noticed. Alongside his friends Fred (Kylr Coffman) and Chad (Ryan Foust), he sees an opportunity when the three manage to get into a Green Day meet-and-greet. Their goal is simple: somehow get their demo into the hands of their heroes.Things take an unexpected turn when Tommy receives a call telling him that his band has been chosen to open for Green Day in Los Angeles. There’s just one problem — the invitation isn’t real. Tommy’s older brother Wayne (Keen Ruffalo) has fabricated the whole thing as a joke. Unfortunately, Tommy is completely convinced that this is the big break he and his friends have been waiting for.
When his mother refuses to take them across the country, Tommy decides there’s only one option. He takes his brother’s car, rounds up Fred and Chad, and the trio sets off from Kansas City towards Los Angeles. They have little money, no real plan and absolutely no idea what awaits them.
That setup gives Nimrods plenty of room to embrace the classic road-trip formula. The journey becomes as important as the destination, with the three friends encountering a bizarre assortment of people and situations along the way. What begins as an exciting adventure gradually puts their friendship under pressure, particularly as the reality of their situation starts to sink in.
The film is heavily influenced by Green Day’s early years, particularly the period when the band was touring before Dookie transformed them into global stars. That connection is more than just background flavour. Green Day’s music is woven throughout the movie, with numerous familiar songs appearing alongside a brand-new track during the end credits. There are even additional live performances after the credits, while the band themselves make several appearances throughout the film.
One of the movie’s biggest strengths is the way it understands teenage optimism. Tommy doesn’t stop to question whether the opportunity is genuine because, to him, it simply has to be real. He has spent so much time dreaming about becoming a successful musician that the possibility of finally getting his chance is impossible to ignore.
That youthful determination produces some of the film’s funniest moments. One particularly memorable sequence involves the boys being forced to perform a Country song in a bar competition, while another takes a much more chaotic turn when mushrooms lead one of the characters into an increasingly bizarre downward spiral. Nimrods is happy to be ridiculous when the moment calls for it, but beneath the comedy is a surprisingly sincere story about friendship, family and having the courage to chase an unlikely dream. Mason Thames is a major reason the film works.
Following his impressive performance in The Black Phone, he gets to show a much more relaxed and playful side here. Tommy allows Thames to combine his acting ability with his musical talents, and he brings a natural energy to the role that makes the character easy to root for.
Kylr Coffman is equally entertaining as Fred, whose unpredictable personality provides much of the film’s comic energy, while Ryan Foust rounds out the central trio as Chad. Mckenna Grace also appears in a supporting role, adding another welcome presence to the cast. Ultimately, Nimrods isn’t trying to reinvent the road-trip movie. It borrows plenty of familiar elements from the genre, but it gives them enough personality to make the journey enjoyable. The combination of youthful enthusiasm, a likeable cast, absurd comedy and Green Day’s music gives the film its own identity.
It’s funny without being afraid to be sentimental, chaotic without completely losing its heart, and packed with the kind of nostalgic energy that makes it feel like a forgotten favourite from another era. Nimrods is an easygoing, music-filled adventure that knows exactly what it wants to be.
It’s a celebration of friendship, youthful dreams and the wonderfully irrational belief that your big break could be just one road trip away. If you’re a Green Day fan, there’s plenty here to enjoy — but even without that connection, the film delivers an entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt ride.
Overall: 7/10
Movie Reviewer
