Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip

Alexander Garcia believes his family is under a curse, primarily due to the series of misfortunes, especially accidents, that seem to follow them wherever they go, many of which he feels partly responsible for. Living with him is his older sister, Mia, who is eagerly waiting for a prom invitation, alongside their mother, Val Garcia, a travel journalist, and their father, Frank, who is struggling with the impending closure of his restaurant, a fact that remains hidden from the rest of the family. They are also accompanied by their devoted grandmother, Lidia Garcia. The family is about to embark on an exciting road trip, courtesy of Val’s magazine, while being visited by Val’s father, Gil, who has come to take care of their dog, Clyde.

As they prepare for their journey, Alexander makes a significant discovery in the attic—an old Mexican idol. Gil explains that his grandfather, Alejandro, was given this idol by brujas to ensure success on his farm. However, Alejandro’s failure to return it resulted in a devastating fire that consumed the town of Soledad. To alleviate Alexander’s fears, Frank resolves to dispose of the idol.

On the next day, the family sets off in a large, state-of-the-art RV, but their seemingly ideal trip quickly takes a chaotic turn. After Alexander accidentally spills soda on the RV’s controls, a series of comedic mishaps culminates in the vehicle crashing into an alien statue, damaging it. Meanwhile, Gil, who is still at home talking to Val, hears the commotion and decides to leave Clyde with their neighbors while he rushes to find his family.

The family is then compelled to make an unexpected stop at a car rental agency next to a botánica. After realizing that the idol has been packed with their belongings, they consult Claudio, who warns them that it is indeed cursed and suggests they return it to Soledad. Their journey continues when they rent a dilapidated travel van, only to run into further troubles, including a run-in with a wild skunk that leads to everyone getting sprayed. Making an emergency stop at a gas station provides them a brief respite, though they momentarily forget Lidia, who has stopped for a popsicle. In their rush to retrieve her, they are thwarted by a stampede of cows, forcing them off the beaten path.

In a dramatic twist, the van gets caught in a ravine and is swept away by a raging river, leaving the family to swim to safety but forcing them to abandon the idol once again. A heated argument arises between Frank and Val when Alexander reveals the truth about his father’s restaurant troubles and how his warnings go unheeded. Their situation takes a turn for the unexpectedly positive when they meet a friendly woman named Lupe, who communicates with the family in Spanish, guiding them back to her home where her husband, Chavo, is waiting.

As events unfold, Gil succeeds in finding Lidia, although they bicker about cultural differences. Gil reveals his own unresolved emotions about never having been to Mexico, a regret that weighs heavily on him. Amid this, he and Lidia start to bond over their shared experiences.

After being provided with a rundown ice cream truck by Chavo and Lupe, the family’s journey continues, only to become more chaotic. While rummaging through the truck, Alexander and Mia discover the idol once more, but their new vehicle soon rolls down a hill and lands in a ditch, exploding but fortuitously leaving the idol unscathed. Now fully convinced of its mystical power, the family is determined to return it after spotting a sign indicating the approach of Soledad.

Upon their arrival in Soledad, they joyfully reunite with Gil and Lidia, and they head to a museum. There, they learn from the mayor and curators, who oddly remind them of brujas, that a fire indeed obliterated Soledad, yet it led to the discovery of water, bringing a blessing in disguise to the town. To add to their bewilderment, they find out that the original idol is already housed in the museum, revealing that what they carried was merely a replica. Although Alexander feels disheartened that their arduous journey seems fruitless, Frank and Val remind him that life’s challenges are common, and his proactive nature has kept them all safe.

In the end, the family comes together to celebrate in Soledad, embracing the positive future that lies ahead. The previously strained relationship between Gil and Lidia flourishes, Mia finds the courage to invite the boy she likes to prom, and Val discovers inspiration for her next book, which she had long hoped to write.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04