'Do I Shock U Like Lightning' Review: A Scrappy, Spark-Filled Indie with Heart and Harmony
- Romey Norton
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - April 29, 2025
Don’t let the budget fool you—Do I Shock U Like Lightning hits like a bolt from the blue. This indie musical dramedy might not have Hollywood polish, but what it does have is a ton of charm, a few surprisingly catchy tunes, and a beating heart that’s hard to resist. Following its buzzy festival run at the Lighthouse Film Festival and the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, the film is now lighting up TVOD platforms, and it’s well worth pressing play.
The story begins in classic indie fashion: a failed guitarist slinks out of LA, nursing a bruised ego and a creatively fried soul. While his career hangs by a thread, an unexpected character shakes things up. Enter, a ukulele-playing stranger with enough quirks to fill a Wes Anderson movie and just enough magic to make you believe in second acts. Their unexpected encounter sets off a journey of musical rediscovery, friendship, and the quiet chaos of starting over.
What sets Do I Shock U Like Lightning apart isn’t just its earworm-y original music (though there are a couple that’ll stay with you) but its sincerity. There’s something refreshingly unpretentious about the film’s funny without being snarky, heartfelt without being saccharine tone. And I give the credit for this to the two main leads. The chemistry between Omar Maskati and Malia Aiello is brilliant to watch. Their banter feels natural, their performances grounded, and their scenes together have that awkward but endearing energy. They’re both so easy and enjoyable to watch - they drive this sweet but simple film along. They’re so cute at times that it’ll make you either swoon or be sick.
There are some quirky and weird musical interjections, which include a clip using the classic acapella singing challenge. (Remember the girl who sang Usher’s 'Yeah'). There are also some randomly fantastic songs throughout. My favourite is the one about Frodo and Sam from The Lord of the Rings - it’s annoyingly, wonderfully, memorable.
With a production budget of just $80k, the film leans heavily on inventive visuals, snappy editing, and a solid script to carry the weight. And it works. The film keeps a solid, tight pace and the tone breezy, letting the quieter moments breathe without losing momentum.
As the story develops, nothing too dramatic happens, but it turns into an unrequited love story, and we learn that one of our leads has a rare disorder, causing them to question their life decisions and future. With only six months to live, emotions are high, leading to a poignant and heartfelt ending.
If you’re craving something feel-good but not fluffy, musical but not a full-blown song-and-dance, this indie gem will absolutely hit the spot. It’s a story about creative rebirth and unexpected friendship that reminds audiences that even in our loneliest, least glamorous moments, connection can strike.
Do I Shock U Like Lightning is out now on digital platforms
Need more indie film inspiration? Check out Film Focus Online for hand-picked reviews, hidden gems, and festival favorites you won’t want to miss. Because great stories don’t always come with big budgets, just big sparks.
