Magic in the Mundane (2026)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

Leigh Brooks’ Magic in the Mundane chronicles the magic that exists in our everyday lives, the things that allow us to find peace, and the camaraderie that exists among all of us—even if we don’t realize it. 

Magic in the Mundane simply details the many things in this life that provide people solace. From religion to sports, this documentary attempts to showcase all that makes us human. The film does discuss a massive variety of things, and with the number of ideas present in Magic in the Mundane, it does quickly become overcrowded and even a bit messy. What Brooks is trying to accomplish is beautiful and brilliant, a breath of fresh air in a world that is often in need of one—but I’m not entirely sure that the final execution of the production allows the meaning to be as powerful as it needed to be. 

Again, Magic in the Mundane remains a bit messy as a result of the exorbitant amount of information present in it, but it also moves too quickly. It certainly runs the risk of losing viewers as they try to follow along as things fly by at the speed of light. 

Regardless of how the film is structured, however, it’s imperative to mention the fact that Brooks, despite what some may consider a shortcoming, is able to include an abundance of information that has the ability to appeal to a wide range of viewers. Brooks’ goal is fully realized in Magic in the Mundane, as people from just about every walk of life have the opportunity to take something away from this documentary. 

I have to mention that, even though I believe Magic in the Mundane has the potential to appeal to so many, it was, oftentimes, a bit too mystical for me. 

Regardless, Darren Le Baron has a presence that allows him to transcend the potential pigeonhole that this film could have been forced into. His cadence, his confidence, and the way in which he presents himself are attractive; this has great potential to strongly appeal to viewers. His charisma opens Magic in the Mundane up to viewers in a way that it hadn’t previously been. His inclusion in this documentary allows it to surpass its initial capabilities, effectively driving home the point of what Brooks hopes to express and allowing even the most skeptical viewers an opportunity to appreciate what’s being said throughout. 

In the grand scheme of Magic in the Mundane, I found things to be a bit challenging to appreciate. The mystical elements and the sudden shift toward the middle of the film in which just about everyone aggressively promotes the use of mushrooms weren’t all that compelling…to me. With that said, I can certainly understand Brooks’ vision, and I can understand why someone would genuinely appreciate this film. A level of charm exists throughout, particularly in the scenes with Le Baron—and Magic in the Mundane, at its core, is a film about doing what makes you happy, while finding ways to lift up and support everyone around you. 

Directed by Leigh Brooks. 

Written by Leigh Brooks & Adam Carr. 

Starring Tree Carr, Elad the Mountainman, Sorrell Robbins, Paul Summers Young, Darren Le Baron, etc. 

6.5/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE