John Paul Tremblay
Julian
Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day
“The only difference between you and them is a coupla drinks.”
2009
1h 41m
Director: Mike Clattenburg
Overview
Ricky, Julian and Bubbles are about to get out of jail, and this time, Julian vows to go straight, even open a legit business. Soon the Boys will all be rich. At least that's what they've told the parole board. But when they arrive back at the park, they find it's not the same old Sunnyvale - and it's not the same old Jim Lahey, Trailer Park Supervisor.
Cast
11 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Boys Are Back in Town (And So Is the Same Old Chaos)
There’s a moment in Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day that feels like the whole franchise in miniature. Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles—fresh out of prison, fresh off another failed attempt at going straight—stand in the middle of Sunnyvale Trailer Park, staring at the wreckage of their latest scheme. The camera lingers just a beat too long, not on the physical mess, but on their faces: equal parts exhaustion and resignation, the kind of look you get when you’ve been playing the same losing hand for years and still can’t bring yourself to fold.
It’s funny, in that way only Trailer Park Boys can be funny, because the joke isn’t just that they’re idiots. The joke is that they’re us—stubborn, self-sabotaging, and just lucid enough to know it, but not enough to change.
Mike Clattenburg’s mockumentary franchise has always thrived on this tension between affection and absurdity, and Countdown to Liquor Day is no exception. The film picks up where The Movie (2006) left off, with the boys—Julian (John Paul Tremblay), Ricky (Robb Wells), and Bubbles (Mike Smith)—paroled from prison and vowing, yet again, to go legit. Julian, ever the schemer, has a plan to open a legitimate business (a liquor store, naturally), while Ricky and Bubbles oscillate between half-hearted support and outright sabotage.
The premise is familiar, but that’s the point. Trailer Park Boys isn’t about reinvention; it’s about repetition, the way people—especially people who’ve been written off—keep circling the same mistakes like moths around a porch light.
What makes Countdown to Liquor Day work, or at least work as well as it does, is the way it leans into the franchise’s strengths: its improvisational energy, its affection for its characters, and its willingness to let the humor emerge from the mess rather than force it. The mockumentary format, which has always been the series’ secret weapon, is used here to great effect. The camera lingers on the boys’ faces during their most ridiculous moments, letting the silence do as much work as the dialogue.
There’s a scene where Julian, in a rare moment of vulnerability, admits he doesn’t know how to do anything but hustle. The camera holds on Tremblay’s face, and for a second, the joke isn’t that he’s a criminal—it’s that he’s trapped. The humor comes from the fact that we believe him, even as we’re laughing at him.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.0/10
"A familiar but uneven return for the Trailer Park Boys, delivering laughs for fans but struggling to justify its existence as a standalone film rather than an extended episode of the series."
Viewers of *Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day* (2009) generally agree that the film captures the chaotic, irreverent spirit of the original TV series, but opinions are divided on whether it succeeds as a cinematic experience. Fans of the show appreciate the return of Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles, praising the trio’s chemistry and the film’s crude but often effective humor. The plot—centering on the Boys’ attempt to open a liquor store while dodging parole officers and rival criminals, mirrors the series’ formula, which some find comforting and others repetitive. Russian audience reactions on Kinopoisk echo this sentiment, with many noting that the film feels like a longer episode rather than a fresh story, though they still enjoy the characters’ antics. Some viewers highlight specific scenes, like the heist sequences or the Boys’ interactions with Mr. Lahey, as standout moments that justify the film’s runtime. However, others criticize the pacing, calling it sluggish in parts, particularly during the middle act where the plot meanders. The film’s low-budget aesthetic is both a point of charm and frustration; while it aligns with the series’ DIY ethos, some feel it limits the scope of the storytelling. latestnetflix.com's view is that overall, the movie is seen as a solid entry for existing fans but unlikely to win over new audiences unfamiliar with the Trailer Park Boys’ brand of humor.
What viewers praise
- Strong cast chemistry The core trio of Ricky (Robb Wells), Julian (John Paul Tremblay), and Bubbles (Mike Smith) maintain their signature dynamic, delivering the same chaotic energy that made the TV series a cult favorite. Fans appreciate the familiarity of their interactions, which feel authentic to the show’s tone.
- Crude but effective humor The film’s brand of humor—ranging from slapstick to dark comedy, lands well with its target audience. Scenes like the liquor store heist and the Boys’ run-ins with Mr. Lahey (John Dunsworth) are frequently cited as highlights for their absurdity and wit.
- Nostalgic for fans Longtime viewers of the series find the film nostalgic, as it revisits beloved characters and settings. The return of fan favorites like Lucy (Lucy Decoutere) and Randy (Patrick Roach) adds to the appeal for those invested in the Trailer Park Boys universe.
Common complaints
- Repetitive plot The story feels like an extended episode of the series, with little innovation in its structure. Some viewers criticize the lack of fresh ideas, noting that the film relies too heavily on the same tropes and conflicts from the show.
- Pacing issues The middle act drags, with some scenes feeling unnecessary or drawn out. Viewers mention that the film struggles to maintain momentum, particularly during the buildup to the liquor store heist.
- Limited appeal for newcomers While fans enjoy the film’s inside jokes and callbacks, those unfamiliar with the series may find it confusing or unengaging. The humor and character dynamics are deeply tied to the show’s history, which can alienate casual viewers.
Recommended for
Fans of the *Trailer Park Boys* TV series looking for more of the same humor and characters Viewers who enjoy low-budget, irreverent comedies with a focus on crude but clever jokes Those who appreciate mockumentary-style storytelling and chaotic ensemble casts
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsReturn of the Boys: Behind the Scenes of Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day
The Trailer Park Boys franchise has always thrived on chaos, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of Canadian absurdity. Countdown to Liquor Day (2009), the second theatrical film in the series, promised fans more of the same—this time with higher stakes, a prison break, and a race to reopen the coveted liquor store. latestnetflix.com's view is that but behind the scenes, the production was just as unscripted as the antics of Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles.
A Sequel Under Pressure
After the surprise success of Trailer Park Boys: The Movie (2006), which grossed over $1 million in Canada despite a modest budget, expectations were high for the follow-up. Director Mike Clattenburg, the mastermind behind the franchise, returned to helm Countdown to Liquor Day, but the pressure to deliver a worthy sequel loomed large. Unlike the first film, which had the novelty of transitioning the beloved mockumentary series to the big screen, Countdown had to prove the Boys could sustain their antics beyond a one-off hit.
The film’s premise—Ricky and Julian breaking out of prison to reopen the Shit Creek liquor store before a corporate chain moves in—was classic TPB: equal parts heist, comedy, and social satire. But the real drama unfolded off-screen, where the cast’s improvisational chemistry was put to the test.
Improv Rules the Set
One of the franchise’s defining traits has always been its reliance on improvisation. While Clattenburg provided a loose script, much of the dialogue and physical comedy was left to the actors’ instincts. Robb Wells (Ricky), John Paul Tremblay (Julian), and Mike Smith (Bubbles) had honed their dynamic over years of working together, but filming a feature-length project added new challenges.
According to sources, the cast often ad-libbed entire scenes, with Clattenburg encouraging them to push boundaries. The film’s runtime—102 minutes, slightly longer than the first movie—suggests a willingness to let the chaos play out 
. However, this approach also meant longer shoot days and unpredictable results. Rumor has it that some of the most iconic moments, including Ricky’s infamous "I’m not a criminal, I’m a goddamn entrepreneur" rant, were born from on-set improvisation, though no direct quotes from the cast confirm this.
The Cast’s Real-Life Bond
The chemistry between Wells, Tremblay, and Smith wasn’t just for the cameras. The trio had been friends long before Trailer Park Boys existed, and their off-screen rapport translated seamlessly into their on-screen personas. Supporting cast members like John Dunsworth (Mr. Lahey) and Lucy Decoutere (Lucy) also brought their own brand of chaos, with Dunsworth’s deadpan delivery and Decoutere’s no-nonsense attitude becoming fan favorites.
One unverified but persistent rumor suggests that the cast’s real-life antics occasionally delayed filming. Whether it was impromptu drinking sessions (a staple of the show’s lore) or last-minute script changes, the production reportedly embraced the same "go with the flow" mentality as the characters. However, without direct confirmation from the cast or crew, this remains speculative.
Reception and Legacy
Critically, Countdown to Liquor Day received mixed but generally positive reviews. SensCritique users rated it 6.7/10, matching the score of the first film, though with fewer votes . Fans appreciated the return of the core trio and the film’s faithfulness to the series’ tone, but some critics argued it lacked the freshness of the original.
The movie’s release also marked a turning point for the franchise. After Countdown, the Trailer Park Boys brand expanded into live shows, specials, and even a Netflix revival, proving that Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles’ misadventures were far from over. Yet, for many fans, Countdown to Liquor Day remains a beloved chapter—one that captured the spirit of the series while pushing the boundaries of its low-budget charm.
The Verdict: More of the Same (And That’s a Good Thing)
If Countdown to Liquor Day had one mission, it was to remind audiences why they fell in love with Trailer Park Boys in the first place. The film delivered exactly what fans wanted: more prison breaks, more rum, and more of the Boys’ signature brand of idiotic brilliance. Behind the scenes, the production was just as chaotic as the world it portrayed—a testament to the cast’s chemistry and Clattenburg’s willingness to let the madness unfold.
Whether it was the improvised one-liners, the cast’s real-life friendships, or the sheer audacity of its premise, Countdown to Liquor Day proved that the Trailer Park Boys weren’t just a flash in the pan. They were a cultural phenomenon, and their second big-screen outing was a raucous, unfiltered celebration of that legacy.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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