Bob Trevino Likes It
Bob Trevino Likes It is a 2024 American comedy-drama written and directed by Tracie Laymon. It stars Barbie Ferreira as Lily Trevino and John Leguizamo as Bob Trevino, with French Stewart and Rachel Bay Jones in supporting roles. The story follows a young woman who, after a painful past and a breakup, searches for her estranged father online and ends up befriending a man who shares his name but isn’t the father she’s looking for. Their growing friendship, built on shared hurt and small acts of kindness, becomes a lifeline for both of them.
Lily’s real father is distant and more focused on appearances, and her attempts to connect often meet indifference. She forges a connection with a man named Bob Trevino in Indiana, not realizing he’s a different person. Their online friendship deepens when they finally meet in person after a crisis at Lily’s home, and they discover they both carry trauma from the past. Over time they support each other, share simple joys—like a trip to see the Perseids, time with a dog, and honest conversations—and begin to heal.
Tragedy intersects their bond when Lily’s search for belonging collides with real-life heartbreak. Bob suffers a heart attack and dies after their friendship has grown meaningful. Lily travels to Indiana for his funeral, where Bob’s wife Jeannie gives her a scrapbook of their messages and memories, symbolizing a lasting connection that transcends blood ties. The film ends with Lily moving forward, carrying the memory of their friendship and the lessons it taught her.
The film is inspired by Laymon’s own experience of reaching out to a stranger who shared her father’s name. It was shot in Kentucky in 2023 and premiered at SXSW on March 9, 2024, where it won both the Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award for Narrative Feature. Roadside Attractions released it in the United States on March 21, 2025. It also screened at Cinéfest Sudbury, Tribeca Film Festival in Lisbon, and Valladolid, where it won the Audience Award. At the San Diego International Film Festival in 2024, it won Best Feature Film.
Reception was strong: Rotten Tomatoes reports 95% positive from 79 critics, with consensus praising Ferreira and Leguizamo’s performances. Metacritic gives the film a 71 out of 100. Audiences gave it an A+ CinemaScore. Critics highlighted its emotional power and healing focus, while some noted pacing and character interactions could feel simplified at times.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 13:00 (CET).