MILE END KICKS -- An Indie Rock Love Story

Review by Steve Barton II

The indie rock scene has quite similar parallels to independent cinema. They both have groups of artists consisting of extremely talented individuals that create magic with limited resources. The interesting part of the film Mile End Kicks is how writer/director Chandler Levack combines both of these worlds into one piece of art. Mile End Kicks follows Grace (Barbie Ferreira) as a young woman in her early twenties working as a music critic and moves to Montreal to write a book on Alanis Morissette’s iconic album Jagged Little Pill. As she finds her footing in a new city (and life), Grace encounters an up and coming indie rock band and gets caught up in a bit of a love triangle. 

Mile End Kicks is a difficult movie to place in a concrete genre, besides independent cinema. It’s got plenty of jokes, funny moments and actors nailing their humorous cues, but it’s not a Jim Carrey, Rogen or Sandler goofball movie in the slightest. It’s described better as a dramatic, comedic tale that many people will find charming and relatable. Mile End Kicks has hints of a modern Dazed and Confused mixed with The Perks of Being a Wallflower and bleeds music from its DNA like School of Rock. It can also be viewed from a horror lens, looking back at how tough life was in your twenties and the mistakes many of us made for love or lust.

We must also take a moment to recognize the queen of independent cinema in 2026, Ms. Barbie Ferreira. Between this and Faces of Death, Barbie is dominating the silver screen with two characters that face very different adversities, but are still strong, independent women. Grace starts her journey as a wallflower who tries to please everyone, even at her own expense to her self respect. Anyone who's experienced horrible bosses, crappy relationships and feeling lost will see themselves in Grace and yell at the screen to guide her down the right path. The supporting cast is great with Jay Baruchel as her shithead boss along with Devon Bostick, Stanley Simons, Robert Naylor and Isaiah Lehtinen fill out the indie rock band, Bone Patrol (or Löded Diper 2.0). It was refreshing to see a bad Jay Baruchel while he plays a douche in sheep’s clothing, but Devon Bostick has shed off his Wimpy Kid skin and is reborn into a charming co-leading man.

Overall, Mile End Kicks is a film made for and by music lovers and lovers of the arts the community itself builds. The scenes in the music clubs will bring back memories from your youth with how authentic they look and the music will have you dancing in your seat. Chandler Levack made an intimate story about her young adulthood and the struggles she endured to find herself. To share an authentic story like Mike End Kicks, it’s like opening your heart and showing others that they might not be as alone as they feel and never let someone else control your life. If you’re an indie rock fan who loves a coming-of-age love story, Mile End Kicks is the movie for you! 

Mile End Kicks is out in limited theaters starting April 17th! 

Rating: 4/5