Matthew Percefull
What makes someone a member of your family? Is it simply genetics and a last name, or is a deeper connection needed to earn the term? Do we truly have the obligation to stick around in toxic relationships just because they’re related by blood? Can we choose our family or are we stuck with what we have? Director Tracie Laymon ponders these questions in her debut feature Bob Trevino Likes It. Influenced by Laymon’s real life, the story is sweet, authentic, and more than likely to inspire a few tears. With a stellar cast and a heart-wrenching premise, Bob Trevino Likes It is an emotionally resonant piece of indie art.
Bob Trevino Likes It is about Lilly Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) and her struggle to find meaningful connections in her life. Lilly makes numerous attempts to make this connection with her father (French Stewart). Her father, Robert Trevino, quickly proves himself to be narcissistic and manipulative. Lilly turns to the internet to seek out more family. While on the search, she winds up on a page with a familiar name: Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo). After meeting online, the two form a bond that helps heal Lilly’s childhood wounds.
Lilly learns to give herself grace as she finds out what it means to be loved, just for being her. The contrast in Lilly’s behavior depending on which Bob Trevino she’s talking to is brilliantly done. With her biological dad, she’s clammy and always on the defense. When she’s with her surrogate dad she’s giggly and joyful. He’s able to bring out the childlike wonder in Lilly that her own father refuses to access. Through this relationship with Bob, Lilly opens herself up to people who value her friendship. She’s not the only one that is changed from this friendship. Bob is broken and Lilly helps him feel whole again. He is a grieving father who gets to fill that void while helping someone else.
It’s difficult to make a story like this not feel heavy-handed or emotionally manipulative. Bob Trevino Likes It doesn’t rely on cheap tactics. It doesn’t go for the easy cries and the overly traumatic moments that might be expected for an indie drama. Laymon’s script has complete control of the emotional spectrum. The big “cry” scenes are subtle. They’re unexpected and hit like an uppercut. Bob Trevino Likes It oozes heart. It’s one of the most unapologetically wholesome films I’ve seen in some time. This wholesome doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and rainbows. Despite its light and generally comedic tone, the film isn’t afraid to tackle deeper themes. The scenes between Lilly and her biological dad can be straight-up brutal to watch. Bob Trevino Likes It explores the human experience in all of its forms, while still keeping its light touch.
Social media plays a pivotal part in the narrative of Bob Trevino’s Likes It. Large portions of the story unfold through Facebook messages and post interactions. This film’s depiction of the internet is pretty vague and mainly acts as a vessel for the central friendship. Some of this stuff can make the film feel dated at points. It’s more reminiscent of Facebook from 2014 than any modern-day app. There are some hashtag jokes and other 2010’s era references that can go down rough in 2025. The internet aspects are instantly aged, but the universal charm of the story is enough to override this complaint. Besides a few confounding pieces of dialogue, it doesn’t do much to distract from the rest of the film.
Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo star in the film and turn in amazing performances. This movie doesn’t work if these performances don’t work. This project caught both performers at opposite ends of their careers. While by no means an unknown, Barbie Ferreria is still in the process of making a name for herself. She knocks it out of the park in her first lead role. She perfectly captures loneliness in a nuanced way. Lily isn’t portrayed as your typical awkward loser. She’s extremely sweet and likable but holds herself back due to low self-esteem. Ferreria balances the awkwardness with charisma beautifully. This could be the start of a special filmography.
Leguizamo on the other hand is a seasoned veteran. With a mixed but iconic catalog of work under his belt, Leguizamo’s presence helps to ground this film. He is perfectly warm and fatherly here. He has to go from silly dad jokes to devastating monologues, sometimes in the same scene. Another actor could’ve overplayed it and gone for a Mr. Rogers-style character. Instead, Leguizamo’s Bob Trevino is just a down-to-earth guy trying his best. Bob Trevino Likes It is reliant on its title character. You need a believable figure at the center here. Leguizamo was a perfect fit for both this film and this role.
Bob Trevino Likes It will hit home for a lot of viewers. Everyone has had issues with loneliness. Everyone has had a toxic dynamic with a family member. Films about these things aren’t uncommon Bob Trevino Likes It is special. It’s a story that skips any tropes and goes straight for what’s human. It takes an empathetic approach to exploring lonely youth and familial relationships. Tracie Laymon’s debut is a lighthearted indie film that offers much-needed counterprogramming in today’s negativity-driven media cycle.
