Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

Last updated:
August 13, 2025

Bill & Ted Face the Music is the third entry in the beloved sci-fi comedy franchise, arriving almost three decades after Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991). Directed by Dean Parisot, the film reunites Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as the most laid-back rock duo in cinematic history, Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan. It’s a nostalgic yet fresh continuation that leans into the absurd charm of its predecessors while adding a new generational twist.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Problem with the Song That Will Save the Universe

The film begins with Bill and Ted struggling in middle age. Their once-famous band, Wyld Stallyns, never actually wrote the prophesied song that would unite the world and save reality. Instead, they’re playing small, awkward gigs, watching their marriages falter, and wondering where it all went wrong. Then, Rufus’ daughter, Kelly (Kristen Schaal), arrives from the future to inform them that the collapse of reality is imminent—and they have only 77 minutes to write and perform the song.

Time-Traveling to Steal from Themselves

Faced with the impossible deadline, Bill and Ted devise the most Bill-and-Ted-like plan possible: travel into the future and steal the song from their future selves, since by then they’ll have already written it. This leads to a series of increasingly bizarre encounters with future versions of themselves, from bitter, failed musicians to prison-hardened, heavily tattooed rockers.

The Next Generation Steps In

Meanwhile, their daughters, Thea Preston (Samara Weaving) and Billie Logan (Brigette Lundy-Paine), set off on their own adventure. Much like their dads in Excellent Adventure, they travel through time to recruit the ultimate backing band, collecting legends like Jimi Hendrix, Louis Armstrong, Mozart, and even prehistoric drummer Grom.

The Robot with an Existential Crisis

The future also sends a killer robot, Dennis Caleb McCoy (Anthony Carrigan), to eliminate Bill and Ted in a misguided attempt to fix the timeline. Instead of succeeding, Dennis accidentally kills them, their daughters, and the entire band—sending everyone straight to Hell.

Reunion in the Underworld

In Hell, Bill and Ted reconnect with Death (William Sadler), their old frenemy from Bogus Journey. After some humorous negotiations and apologies, they convince Death to help them escape and rejoin their daughters in the world of the living.

Movie Ending

In the climax, the gang returns to the present just as reality begins to fracture, with time periods collapsing on each other. Bill and Ted realize they misunderstood the prophecy: the “song” isn’t theirs alone to write—it’s a collective performance involving everyone in existence. Thea and Billie take the lead, organizing the band and handing out instruments to people across time and space. Bill and Ted distribute the music via time travel, so everyone plays together in perfect harmony.

The song works. Time stabilizes. Reality is saved. The future’s prophecy—that “Bill and Ted would unite the world”—turns out to be true, but in the sense that they inspired everyone to play together, not that they personally composed the masterpiece. The film ends with a montage of people from every era playing in sync, followed by Bill and Ted sharing a moment of humble pride in what they’ve accomplished.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes. After the credits, there’s a short, heartwarming scene showing elderly Bill and Ted in a retirement home, still playing guitar together. They’re frail but clearly happy, underscoring the idea that their friendship and love of music lasted a lifetime.

Type of Movie

Comedy, sci-fi, time travel adventure, and a nostalgic sequel to a cult classic.

Cast

Keanu Reeves as Ted “Theodore” Logan
Alex Winter as Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Samara Weaving as Thea Preston
Brigette Lundy-Paine as Billie Logan
Kristen Schaal as Kelly
William Sadler as Death
Anthony Carrigan as Dennis Caleb McCoy
Erinn Hayes as Elizabeth
Jayma Mays as Joanna
Holland Taylor as The Great Leader

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Mark Isham, with the soundtrack blending original score with rock tracks fitting the film’s quirky, upbeat tone. Wyld Stallyns’ climactic song was created with contributions from various musicians to embody the “all of humanity together” theme.

Filming Locations

Principal photography took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, chosen for its tax incentives and variety of locations. Most of the fantastical backdrops (Hell, future utopia, collapsing time scenes) were created through extensive CGI, blending practical sets with digital effects.

Awards and Nominations

The film received several nominations for comedy and sci-fi awards, including:

Saturn Award nomination for Best Science Fiction Film
People’s Choice Awards nomination for Favorite Comedy Movie

Behind the Scenes Insights

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter performed many of their own comedic physical gags.
The prison-muscle versions of Bill and Ted required extensive prosthetics and muscle suits.
Anthony Carrigan improvised much of Dennis Caleb McCoy’s awkward personality.
William Sadler reprised his role as Death with minimal makeup thanks to naturally aging into the look.

Inspirations and References

The movie continues the mythology from the original films, while taking cues from generational passing-of-the-torch stories like Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It also incorporates elements of ensemble time travel films and a music-centric climax reminiscent of School of Rock.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some deleted scenes reportedly included more interactions between the daughters and historical musicians, and an extended Hell sequence with additional demon characters. No drastically different ending was filmed, as the finale was locked early in production.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A novelization of the film expands on side plots, including more detail about the daughters’ recruitment journey and the internal politics of the future society. The core story remains faithful to the movie.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Bill and Ted meeting their bitter, failed future selves in a dingy apartment.
The daughters jamming with Mozart and Hendrix in a modern alley.
Dennis Caleb McCoy’s clumsy accidental mass “killing.”
The Hell reunion with Death, complete with petty arguments about band credits.

Iconic Quotes

Bill and Ted (together): “Be excellent to each other.”
Dennis Caleb McCoy: “My name is Dennis… Caleb McCoy.”
Death: “You were replaced… by mp3s!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The phone booth time machine is slightly modified but still mirrors its original 1989 design.
A small photo of Rufus (George Carlin) appears in Kelly’s time pod.
Background graffiti in the future says “Station!”—a callback to Bogus Journey.

Trivia

This was Alex Winter’s first major acting role in over 25 years.
Keanu Reeves initially had trouble getting back into Ted’s vocal rhythm.
The production wrapped just before COVID-19 shutdowns in early 2020.
The soundtrack album includes contributions from Mastodon and Lamb of God.

Why Watch?

It’s a heartfelt, funny, and surprisingly emotional sequel that respects the originals while introducing a new generation of characters. If you enjoyed the goofy optimism of the first two films, this is an uplifting conclusion that delivers both laughs and sincerity.

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

Detailed Summary