🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Mitchell, Jeremy Kipp Walker
- Genre: Comedy, Music, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 2013
- Runtime (length): 1h 26min
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10 (3.7K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two aliens sent to destroy Earth get totally sidetracked by banjos and decide forming a bluegrass band is a way better use of their time.
🍿 The History of Future Folk: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Mission to Earth Begins
General Trius is dispatched from the dying planet Hondo to Earth with a mission: prepare the planet for colonization by wiping out humanity. He arrives disguised as a human named Bill and begins observing the strange inhabitants of his target world. He lives a quiet life in Brooklyn, working as a janitor.

Discovering a Human Invention: Music
As Bill spends time on Earth, he makes an unexpected discovery that changes everything: music. This unique human creation captivates him completely, causing him to abandon his destructive mission. Instead of preparing for conquest, he decides to embrace Earth’s culture and stays put.

A New Life and a New Partner
Bill builds a new life for himself, marrying a human woman and raising a daughter. He even forms a bluegrass band, ‘Future Folk,’ using his Hondonian past as the basis for their act. However, his peaceful life is disrupted when another Hondonian, the Mighty Kevin, is sent to Earth to find General Trius and ensure the mission is completed.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Bill Hunt (Nils d’Aulaire): An alien general from Hondo who abandons his mission to destroy Earth after discovering the power of music.
- Kevin (Jay Klaitz): The second alien sent from Hondo who joins Bill in his love for Earth music and his quest to save the planet.
- Holly (Julie Ann Emery): Bill’s loving but unsuspecting Earth wife who is drawn into his alien secret.
- Wren (Onata Aprile): Bill’s young daughter whose bond with him is a central reason for his protecting Earth.
- Larry (Dee Snider): An agent from Hondo representing a persistent threat from their dying planet.
- Carmen (April Hernandez Castillo): A human police officer who becomes unexpectedly entangled with Kevin.
- Bounty Hunter (Robbie Smith): A determined figure sent from Hondo to retrieve the rogue aliens.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Kevin: “One dance, then I promise you can arrest me.” – Kevin says this to Carmen, the police officer, initiating an unexpected tango during their confrontation.
- Bill: “Hondo!” – An exclamation used by Bill and Kevin, referencing their home planet, often used during performances or moments of excitement.
- Bill: “We were sent here to destroy your world, but then we heard music.” – Bill explains how the discovery of human music caused him and Kevin to abandon their mission to prepare Earth for Hondonian colonization.
- Bill: “Well I grew up on my planet growing space worms, watching space worms grow so slow…” – A memorable lyric from one of Future Folk’s songs describing their alien upbringing on Hondo.
💰Box Office
- Budget: Unknown
- Domestic Gross: $17,646
- Worldwide Gross: $17,646
💥 The History of Future Folk Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I decided to watch ‘The History of Future Folk’ completely on a whim because the title sounded ridiculous, and wow, was I pleasantly surprised! I love movies that don’t take themselves too seriously but still have genuine heart, and this one absolutely nails it. The music is SO good and catchy – I found myself tapping my foot and smiling during every song. The scene where General Trius first plays the banjo medley is just captivating. And the lead guys, Nils d’Aulaire and Jay Klaitz, have such great chemistry; their deadpan alien personas learning about humanity through music is hilarious and genuinely touching. My favorite part might have been that weirdly awesome fight/dance scene. It sounds crazy, but it totally worked! This movie just makes you feel good. It’s a sweet, funny, and totally unique story about finding your place and the power of music. I’ve already recommended it to like three friends.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of quirky independent films”
- “Viewers who appreciate unique sci-fi premises”
- “People who enjoy folk and bluegrass music”
- “Audiences looking for charming and heartwarming comedies”
- “Families seeking a mild and engaging movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild thematic elements (alien invasion plot is non-threatening)”
- “Very minimal or no crude humor or violence (based on reviews)”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWatch Weekly: “A delightful oddity, ‘The History of Future Folk’ embraces its low-budget charm with open arms and a banjo. The film thrives on the deadpan delivery of Nils d’Aulaire and the surprising physical comedy of Jay Klaitz, portraying alien conquerors won over by Earth’s greatest weapon: music. While the plot is intentionally flimsy, the film’s sincerity and genuinely catchy folk tunes create a heartwarming experience. It’s a quirky, feel-good movie that proves you don’t need big effects when you have a big heart and killer harmonies.
- Sci-Fi Explorer Blog: “This is the sci-fi comedy you didn’t know you needed. The premise is bonkers – aliens ditch invasion plans for bluegrass – but the execution is surprisingly grounded and earnest. The musical performances are the real highlight, adding a layer of quirky charm that’s hard to resist. It’s not polished, and some moments feel a bit stretched, but the unique blend of genres and the endearing lead performances make it a worthwhile watch for anyone looking for something truly different.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers were charmed by the unique premise of aliens becoming musicians.: Audiences consistently praised the film’s heartwarming tone, humor, and surprisingly good folk music performances.
The lead actors’ chemistry and deadpan comedic timing were a hit.: Despite the low budget, viewers found the movie well-made and appreciated its originality and sincerity.
Overall Consensus: A beloved indie cult favorite, praised for its originality, humor, heartwarming story, and catchy music, despite its low budget.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Nils d’Aulaire (Bill Hunt/General Trius) and Jay Klaitz (Kevin) are the real-life folk duo ‘Future Folk’, who perform in character.”
- “The band Future Folk existed and had been performing in New York City for years before the movie was made, incorporating the alien origin story into their act.”
- “Despite the sci-fi premise, the movie was made on a very low budget and relies on character, story, and music rather than expensive special effects.”
🖥️ How to Watch The History of Future Folk?
Discover where to watch the quirky indie film ‘The History of Future Folk’. While specific streaming platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV may vary by region and time, this charming musical sci-fi comedy has been known to appear on services like Netflix in the past. You can typically find it available for digital rental or purchase on major platforms. Check your preferred digital storefronts for the most current options to watch or buy ‘The History of Future Folk’.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The History of Future Folk, you might like these similar films:
- Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006): A musical comedy centered around the exaggerated origin story of a real-life rock duo, sharing a similar low-budget, quirky charm.
- Safety Not Guaranteed (2012): Features a blend of quirky comedy, a touch of sci-fi, and a heartfelt character-driven story with an indie sensibility.
- Flight of the Conchords (TV Series 2007–2009): Focuses on a struggling musical duo with awkward, low-key humor and incorporates musical numbers into the narrative, similar to Future Folk’s performances.
- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984): A cult classic sci-fi adventure known for its eccentric characters, offbeat humor, and unique premise, appealing to fans of quirky genre blends.
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001): A musical film about a journey of identity and performance, sharing the theme of music as a central, transformative force in a character’s life.
🛒 The History of Future Folk Related Products
- The History of Future Folk Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Own the official soundtrack featuring the folk-infused space tunes that captured the hearts of Earthlings (and Hondonians!). Includes fan-favorite tracks like ‘Growth of a Worm’ and ‘Hondo’.
- Future Folk Inspired Red Bucket Helmet: Replicate General Trius’s iconic look with a replica of his signature red bucket helmet. An essential piece for any serious Future Folk fan’s collection or cosplay outfit.
- Future Folk Band Logo T-Shirt: Wear your love for the universe’s greatest alien bluegrass duo! This t-shirt features stylish artwork inspired by the band’s look and the movie’s themes.
- Folk Music Essentials: Beginner Banjo Kit: Inspired by the power of the banjo in the movie? Start your own musical journey with this beginner-friendly banjo kit, perfect for channeling your inner General Trius.
🎧 Soundtrack
The History of Future Folk features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Music History Banjo Medley” – performed by Nils d’Aulaire
- “Growth of a Worm” – performed by Future Folk
- “My Kingdom” – performed by Future Folk
- “Hondo” – performed by Future Folk
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, the lead actors, Nils d’Aulaire and Jay Klaitz, are actually members of the real-life folk duo ‘Future Folk.’ The movie presents a fictionalized, sci-fi origin story for their band.
It’s a musical sci-fi comedy about two aliens from the planet Hondo who are sent to Earth to prepare it for colonization. Their mission goes off track when they discover human music, which they love so much they decide to become a folk band instead.
Based on audience reviews, the movie is generally considered family-friendly. It has a mild tone, charming humor, and uplifting themes centered around music and connection, with no excessive violence or crude content mentioned.
Yes, it is categorized as a comedy, blended with sci-fi and music genres. The humor comes from the deadpan delivery of the alien characters, the contrast between their origin and their adopted lifestyle, and the overall quirky premise.
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