TIFF 2025 Review: New Year’s Rev

New Year’s Rev: A Nostalgic Coming-of-Age Tribute to Green Day

Jesus of Suburbia. American Idiot. Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Holiday. Basket Case. The list goes on as Green Day’s music defined a generation, mine included. So when I heard there was a film inspired by their legacy, I couldn’t wait to see it. New Year’s Rev isn’t a biopic, but rather a heartfelt coming-of-age story about friendship, rebellion, and chasing your passion through music.

The film follows a group of punk-band hopefuls who call themselves Analog Dogs, led by Mason Thames (The Black Phone, How to Train Your Dragon) and his two friends, who have a long life dream to sneak into a Green Day concert and get their demo heard. Against all odds, they actually make it to a meet-and-greet where Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool -playing themselves accept their demo. It’s one of those wild, dream-come-true moments that every fan has imagined at least once.

But things take a turn when Thames’ character clashes with his older brother Wayne, played by Keen Ruffalo (Mark Ruffalo’s real-life son, making his film debut). After a cruel prank involving a fake invitation to open for Green Day’s New Year’s Eve show in Los Angeles, the boys steal their brother’s car and set out on a cross-country road trip to make their dream come true before the clock strikes midnight.

What unfolds is a fun, nostalgic mix of chaos, heart, and humor packed with themes of friendship, youthful passion, and the power of music. It’s also great to see Mason Thames continue to rise, especially alongside McKenna Grace, who plays his love interest here and reunites with him again in the upcoming Regretting You (releasing later this October).

While New Year’s Rev doesn’t break new ground, it delivers plenty of energy and charm. The nostalgia hits hard from the soundtrack to the rebellious spirit that defined early-2000s punk culture. Whether you grew up blasting Green Day or just love a feel-good road-trip movie, this one will leave you smiling by the end.

Watch the trailer for New Year’s Rev below

Live Nation Productions has set New Year’s Rev to come soon