Tick, Tick... Boom!

“Tick, Tick... Boom!” is the sort of musical that feels like it’s having a conversation with anyone who’s ever felt stuck, restless, or like time was breathing down their neck. It’s all about Jonathan Larson, the guy who’d go on to create Rent, during the mid-90s in New York, before he was famous and while he was very much struggling. The movie swings between his inner panic and the lives of the people around him, all tangled up in love, friendship, and the hope that maybe someone will pay attention to what he’s creating.

Andrew Garfield pretty much carries the thing so hard that it should count as an Olympic sport. He’s immersed in Larson’s messy, electric energy, and he makes even the prickly moments magnetic. I definitely didn’t expect him to be this good at singing, but here we are. The supporting cast, like Robin de Jesús and Alexandra Shipp, add some authentic warmth (and frustration) that save the film from feeling like a one-man show.

The pacing can be a little hiccupy, especially in the first act. There are a few scenes that linger just a bit too long on Larson’s anxiety spirals, which can feel heavy-handed instead of emotionally resonant. But when it works, oh man, it really hits. The diner scene packed with Broadway cameos is absolute joy if you’re a theater nerd (even if it’s a bit self-indulgent).

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s direction is interesting. You can feel his love for the source material and his reverence for Jonathan Larson, which sometimes leads to indulgence but mostly gives the film a contagious energy. The musical numbers are shot with a pretty kinetic, mostly unflashy style that keeps things contained, almost like you’re watching a small Off-Broadway show. It’s refreshing, honestly, compared to the usual overproduced musical adaptations.

What really got me was the emotional through-line. Even if you know where it’s all going, the way the movie handles love, friendship, and ambition has a raw, unpolished ache to it. Some of the dialogue leans melodramatic, but there’s so much sincerity that it just works. The ending, in particular, will kind of haunt you for a while.

It’s not perfect. Some parts drag, and if you’re not on board with Larson’s creative obsession, you might find him a little insufferable. Still, the music is honestly great, and the film has a giant, beating heart. If musicals aren’t usually your thing, this could be a surprise win, especially if you’re a sucker for stories about messy creative people.