“With charm, chemistry, comedy and infectious musical energy, Back to the 90s is a confident big-screen debut for The Elevator Boys.”
Amazon MGM brings us the film debut of German music and social media sensations The Elevator Boys in Back to the 90s. This time-travel piece combines comedy, music and romance in a story about friendship and creativity that capitalises on the charm of its five leads – all of whom make the jump to the big screen with a sense of confidence and conviction.
The German-language feature centres on best friends Matteo (Julien Brown), Jonas (Tim Schäcker), Chris (Luis Freitag), Ben (Jacob Rott) and Oliver (Bene Schulz), who are about to fulfil their dream of making it as a boy band when one member suddenly wants to throw it all away after a crisis of confidence. Things take a turbulent turn when the group finds itself transported via a time-travelling elevator back to 1995.
Directed by Facundo Scalerandi, Back to the 90s draws influence from classic high-school comedies, as well as sci-fi classics such as Back to the Future. The film finds plenty of humour in the contrast between the 2020s and 1990s settings, enhanced by great period details in the costumes, mise-en-scène and even prop labels, including original Pepsi branding. A highlight sees the boys try to navigate an old-school desktop PC, frantically tapping at the chunky monitor, capturing the carefree fun vibe of the feature.
Writers Marian Grönwoldt, Juliana Lima Dehne and Joy C. Mitchell showcase a strong understanding of The Elevator Boys’ star power, with a script that allows moments for each member of the group to shine. Various subplots give each performer the opportunity to impress, alongside well-constructed group scenes where the boys can flex both their dramatic and comic muscles.
Each of The Elevator Boys impresses with their star quality. Jacob Rott excels as the sensitive, introspective writer of the band, facing a crisis of confidence over his struggle to write the group’s perfect song. As the narrative progresses, Rott unveils an emotional depth as Ben gradually rediscovers his confidence.
Bene Schulz impresses throughout, with his own romantic subplot involving a photography student allowing him to showcase both his skills as a romantic leading man and his talent as a comic performer. A highlight sees him charm the university tech librarian in a brilliantly funny sequence.
Luis Freitag’s skilled dramatic turn captures the struggle many young people face – whether to pursue their true passion or fall into a career in the hope of pleasing their parents. Freitag’s Chris building a bond with a 90s student over their shared love of guitar music is touching, while his gradual journey towards finding his own voice and pursuing his passions, rather than those of his father, provides another emotional layer.
Julien Brown brings charm and charisma to the role of Matteo. Confident and naturally cool, Brown delivers some of the film’s key comic moments, including a hilarious sequence in which he sarcastically explains the plot of Back to the Future to the others.
Tim Schäcker is a stellar presence as Jonas, the glue that holds the group together, delivering a performance that fuses dramatic and comic skill in equal measure. With the looks of a classic Hollywood leading man and equal amounts of confidence and charm, he shines here.
The success of Back to the 90s is partly due to the magic combination of all five stars together. A genuine chemistry shines through the screen, ensuring the audience has as much fun watching the film as the cast clearly had making it. Of course, we can’t think of The Elevator Boys without their music, and the group bring two new original numbers to the feature: Gotta Make It Work and the Gary Barlow-written 1995. The latter is a big, high-energy pop number that the band deliver during the film’s rousing finale, bringing the film to an appropriately euphoric conclusion.
Back to the 90s provides countless laughs and inventive spins on the sci-fi, romance and comedy genres, with a plot that truly hooks you in and invests you in its characters. Brimming with 90s nostalgia and character, and enhanced by the sun-soaked Maltese locations, Back to the 90s is an undeniable feel-good treat. Most importantly, the film provides a charismatic showcase for The Elevator Boys, with each member bringing their own personality, comic timing and dramatic presence to the screen. Their individual performances combine with their natural chemistry as a group to make this a thoroughly enjoyable and confident big-screen debut.
Back to the 90s is now streaming on Amazon.
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