User Reviews

This is a really enjoyable film that mixes drama and dark humor, following a group of kids from a small Canadian town struggling with the realities of life as they try to launch their metal band.

Happy FKN Sunshine is a coming of age story that follows a brother and sister trying to create a future for themselves through music. To do this Will (Matt Close) needs an electric guitar, but with the only mill in town going on strike, money is tight and his parents refuse. His sister Ronnie (Mattea Bortherton) is crude and rebellious towards everyone, but successful as a pot dealer and decides to help Will purchase his guitar in exchange for a favor. Will still needs a bass player so he recruits Artie (Dana Hodgson) into the band, but tensions escalate quickly as their front-man Vince (Connor Rueter) is violent with a temper and dislikes Artie. Despite all their troubles, the band finds an opportunity through Artie's Uncle Eddy (Ted Dykstra) to play at a bar in front of a big label owner from Toronto... if they can only keep everyone together long enough to make it there.

Featuring some great music and an incredible cast that makes the characters feel way too real, this indie film is funny and engaging and will be instantly relatable for anyone who also grew up in a small town. Highly Recommended!

Although set in the present day, Happy FNK Sunshine feels like it is grooving with Seventies themes. The one mill town faces an agonizing strike that demoralizes everyone. A high school kid dreams of taking his guitar to the big city. Problems arise with the parents, the band, and the prevalent deficit of money. And much of the music within is guitar-driven, hard rock; not exactly the style that is burning up the Billboard 100. But this band of 21st Century Gen Z kids, though, are all about the YouTube views.

The movie has charm, humor, and successfully works in an overused-yet-still-relevant message. This indie story from North Bay, Ontario has heart.

Happy FKN Sunshine plays out like a classic rock ballad. There is a decent hook, a catchy beat, and makes you smile. Regardless of any $%&*s!

As someone who came of age during The Breakfast Club years, this film feels like that small town teenage angst meets rural poverty and recession.

The cast is fantastic and truly has a small town Canadian feel to it. Mattea Brotherton is a standout as Ronnie, a pint sized, foul mouthed drug dealer.

The location shots are fantastic. Northern Ontario at its best and worst. The plot is rich with troubled characters, each one impacted by the impending closure of a mill in one way or another. Their town is where dreams go to die and yet these kids dare to have a dream.

Have a watch, you'll enjoy it.

What an amazing Canadian film. Happy FKN Sunshine has an amazing cast that all give great performances. The story is very believable, unique, and enjoyable. You would have absolutely no regrets seeing this movie in a theatre and it's probably one of the better movies I have seen in a very long time. If you have ever played in a band or thought about starting one, had fond memories of hanging out with friends in a parents basement, or grew up in a small town this movie definitely connects. I found this movie does leave you wanting to know more about the lives of these characters but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I would definitely recommend seeing this film as it's likely to be a Canadian cult classic.

If you've ever had a big dream but no matter how hard you work for it, it seems everything is getting in your way of pursuing it, then this is a movie for you. This movie is a true Canadian story that will have you laughing and feeling everything the characters are feeling. Definitely not a movie for the family, but a movie that most people can relate to even in a small way, especially if you grew up in a small mill town. The movie looks great, sounds great, and the music has you tapping your toes. It does an amazing job showing the charm and beauty of the small town. 10/10 excellent movie, worth a watch.

I absolutely loved watching Happy FKN Sunshine! The performance from the actors were terrific. Canada's got talent! I really appreciate this authentic story of a teenage boy growing up in poverty and trying to create a better life for himself through music. Seeing him and his friends overcome their struggles is motivating. I believe that when people watch this film they too will be able to imagine a light at the end of the tunnel. Films like these are important and a reminder that you don't have to be a product of your environment and if you dream big and work hard things just might happen for you. I'm excited to see what the future of this film will be. Also, how can I forget the music in this film... It was brilliant and I absolutely jammed to it while watching these kids jam out!!! Nailed it! Happy FKN Dreamin'

This movie does have some good moments, but on the whole I found it largely forgettable.

The writing has some good parts, particualry near the end during the concert scene. But i question some of its chocies. Theres a part in it thats suppose to show the selfishness of one character, but the involvement of 2 others (one of them being them being the main protagonist) makes them all come across as cruel, but the movie still plays it as the main protagonist is still a good guy and to root for him, which didnt make sense to me.

I also feel the cinematography in this was lackluster. There are lots of movies about teenagers starting bands and rebeling, but a lot of those have very cool and slick cinematography. This one felt it like it was just doing the bare minimum and really dragged it down from being memorable to just passable.

All in all, its not bad, the acting from some of the characters are pretty good. But I doubt its going stick with you after the credits roll.