“Bob Trevino Likes It” A Truly Touching Drama That’s An Absolute Must See

“Bob Trevino Likes It” is inspired by the true friendship that writer/director Tracie Layman found with a stranger when looking for her father online. 

Often playing the role of caretaker to people like her father who should be caring for her, Lily Trevino longs for a familial connection, having been abandoned by her mother as a child and then suddenly by her father in her early twenties.

Bob Trevino works long hours alone at a construction company to support his wife’s scrapbooking habit. The couple has endured a lot in the past decade, and Bob has sought to put his wife first, to the point of ignoring his own feelings and need for friendship, meaning, and connection - that is, until he gets an unexpected Facebook message from a stranger.

Lily and Bob’s blossoming friendship becomes a vital source of connection and healing in both their lives. Bob’s small acts of fatherly kindness fills a familial void in Lily’s life and holds the power to change her direction forever. In their own ways, these two must both learn they are worthy of extraordinary love exemplified through small acts of kindness.

“Bob Trevino Likes It” is a recent independent release that was also featured during the Dietrich Theater’s 2025 Spring Film Festival line up. During that festival, I couldn’t fit the film into my review line up at the time. So, with the Fall Film Festival in full swing, I decided it was the right time to finally check this independent film out.

“Bob Trevino Likes It” is a beautiful, moving film that’s a heart-felt portrayal of human connection, trauma and chosen family. This is a must see film that will leave you feeling extremely moved and I’ll admit there were a few times where I shed a little tear or two.

The performances from lead actors Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo are emotionally powerful when they need to be and their characters feel so authentic and relatable. Ferreira’s performance is really extraordinary as Lily, a young woman navigating

loneliness and childhood trauma.

Leguizamo delivers one of his best performances as he highlights his ability to convey warmth, humor, and unspoken pain. He also brought an everyman believability to the role that contrasts with his better known comedic roles.

There’s a truly moving scene where Bob makes a detailed effort to address Lily’s sorrowful memory of dogs by taking her to a rescue shelter and helping Lily hold a dog for the first time since her father took her dog away when she was little. This scene resonated so deeply that it serves as a turning point for Lily and serves as a “healing breakdown.”

“Bob Trevino Likes It” conveys its wholesome message without becoming inauthentic, offering a sincere portrayal of kindness and its power to heal. The film also dives into the emotional baggage of parental trauma, offering hope and highlighting how unresolved issues can be processed and overcome through unexpected friendships.

MPA: Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, and thematic elements   (runtime 101 minutes).

You can currently stream “Bob Trevino Likes It” on Hulu or rent it on various PVOD services.

Make sure to keep on checking my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews page on Facebook for upcoming line ups that I have planned! Along with a couple film festival selections, I will be checking out a Robert Redford film (RIP Robert Redford) and kicking things off with the scary month of October with a recent horror franchise that has been trending! And quick side note: I didn’t get a chance to check out “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” as initially planned, but will check it out once it’s available on streaming!

• Based on the true internet friendship of writer/director Tracie Laymon with a stranger on Facebook while searching for her own father.

• The film premiered at the 2024 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 9, where it won the festival's Grand Jury Award and Audience Award in the Narrative Feature categories.

• Production occurred in 2023; because it was independent of any major studios, the project received waivers to continue filming amidst the Hollywood labor disputes at the time.

• In August 2024, Roadside Attractions acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film. It received a limited theatrical release on March 21, 2025.