Review Published 22nd March 2026

Watch the official trailer.

In 1981, musicians Stevie and Paul reunite to plan a hit collaboration.

Sometime in 1981, after a very, very, very, very long journey by rowing boat, Stevie (Gil Gex) arrives at the Mull of Kintyre to reunite with Paul (Sky Elobar). Stevie and Paul are not just anybody; they are legendary musicians. The pair begin a series of conversations about a potential collaboration that they hope could lead to a hit single, and perhaps even become a global phenomenon.

Stevie and Paul face strange hurdles creating a hit song.

However, despite the pair being musical geniuses, coming up with a new hit song is not easy to achieve. The two embark on a journey together unlike anything they have ever experienced before. Not only is music explored, but otherworldly elements begin to surface. The pair do everything together, from smoking some doobie woobie (aka marijuana), enjoying delicious frozen treats, swimming together completely naked, and crafting the perfect hot chocolate. But will the pair succeed in creating a song that impacts the world, or will they part ways and succumb to utter failure?

Ebony & Ivory is a wild comedy about rock legends, directed by Jim Hosking.

Ebony & Ivory (2024) is a wacky comedy- think Spinal Tap, but on a whole other level. The film is built around a playful concept: what if two rock legends, say Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, met up and created a hit song? Naturally, the film takes this idea to the extreme, exploring their collaboration with random, over-the-top comedy. The film was written and directed by Jim Hosking, whose past work includes The Greasy Strangler (2016) and An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn (2018), which he co-wrote and directed. Hosking has also contributed to other projects, including a director credit on the popular horror anthology ABCs of Death 2 (2014).

Ebony & Ivory is a wildly unpredictable comedy full of absurd, hilarious, and surprising moments.

Ebony & Ivory truly took me by surprise. From the very opening sequence, it became clear what I was in for: a playful film where nothing is predictable. This extends to the various conversations the pair dive into, where they often debate, argue, and speak openly on a surprisingly deep level. The dialogue is absurd, ridiculous, and for some viewers, occasionally painful or even torturous, but it is all done for laughs. Personally, I loved the sense of humour here and adored every random tangent the leads went on. I often found myself genuinely amazed at the lengths the film and its characters would go to, simply to talk about ridiculous nonsense, including the craft and skill required to make the perfect hot chocolate.

Strong performances and clever, playful comedy bring this absurd, wacky film to life.

The performances, like the comedy, are fantastic. Both lead actors are fully committed to their characters and the madness and ridiculousness they bring. They share a wonderful chemistry, portraying a genuine friendship, and convincingly selling the idea that these two are talented musicians. Visually, the film is equally impressive, and it’s clear the actors are not the only ones having fun. The director makes excellent use of playful and creative camera work, which successfully earns several chuckles. Ultimately, what I loved most was the script, which impressed on every level, taking something entirely absurd and wacky and crafting it so cleverly. That said, some gags do linger longer than expected, leaving you amazed at the audacity, yet simultaneously wondering when the next joke will finally arrive.

Ebony & Ivory is a delightfully wacky comedy full of sharp, absurd, and highly entertaining moments.

Overall, I had no idea what to expect going into Ebony & Ivory, but from the very opening moments, I found myself chuckling and laughing. The film quickly establishes a playful, offbeat tone that immediately draws you in. Ever wondered what might happen behind the scenes when musical geniuses come together? This is one director’s wildly imaginative and comedic take on that idea, and it runs with the concept in the most entertaining way possible. The premise alone is fantastic, and the script delivers sharp, snappy, and highly quotable dialogue. In a similar spirit to This Is Spinal Tap, Ebony and Ivory takes us into absurd territory, where everything is extra random and delightfully wacky. It’s a film that fully embraces its silliness, and that’s exactly what makes it so much fun to watch.

Ebony & Ivory (2024) will be Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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