The Musical — Sundance Review
Source: Sundance
Imagine Hamlet 2 (2008) in the style of an I Think You Should Leave sketch, and that’s essentially Giselle Bonilla’s new film, The Musical. Much like Hamlet 2, The Musical follows a failed artist-turned-teacher as he stages a politically incorrect musical. However, in Bonilla’s film, the protagonist is a playwright instead of an actor, he teaches middle school instead of high school, and most important of all, the musical he’s staging isn’t a sequel to a Shakespeare play. There are hints scattered throughout the film as to what the musical is about, so it doesn’t come as a complete shock. But as the characters proclaim, “The super power of the theatre is the element of surprise,” so it’s better to walk into the film without knowing that aspect of the plot ahead of time.
The Musical begins with playwright and middle school theater teacher Doug Leibowitz (Will Brill) discovering that his ex-girlfriend and colleague, Abigail (Gillian Jacobs), is dating their boss, Principal Brady (Rob Lowe). Knowing that Brady aspires to win the prestigious Blue Ribbon of Academic Excellence, Doug sets out to sabotage his chances by staging a wildly inappropriate musical while tricking his colleagues into believing the musical will simply be a harmless rendition of West Side Story. Revenge is such a common theme in films, but this one is so unbelievably petty and spiteful in the most frivolous ways, and that’s what makes it so funny.
The cinematography, editing, and sound design feel reminiscent of an I Think You Should Leave sketch. Even Will Brill’s performance is evocative of a Tim Robinson role, with his sometimes dry, sometimes over-the-top and immature comedic delivery. Whether it’s a crash zoom or a smash cut, the editing choices amplify the film’s humor.
Narratively, in addition to the obvious Hamlet 2 comparisons, the film also feels like a cross between Theater Camp (2023) and School of Rock (2003). However, the premise is stretched a bit thin. Not all of the jokes land, and most of the laughs are derived from the play itself, which is reserved for the final act of the film. Still, the entire concept of the play is so petty and unhinged that it’s hilarious to watch it all go down.
Ultimately, The Musical thrives on its commitment to chaos. It knows precisely what kind of comedy it wants to be: gleefully tasteless, self-aware, and unafraid to push jokes past the point of comfort. It may not reach the delirious heights of Hamlet 2, but by the time the curtain falls, it delivers just enough audacious humor to justify the ride. Audiences with a taste for unapologetically cringe comedy and delightfully petty acts of spite will find plenty to savor.
The Musical premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2026.
