Bad Taste

Bad Taste

Year: 1989

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Director: Peter Jackson

Sci-FiHorrorComedy

Two trigger-happy brothers, hitmen by trade, return home to New Zealand to find their father has been murdered. They soon discover that aliens have invaded, planning to enslave humanity and use them as ingredients in a grotesque intergalactic feast. What follows is a bizarre and over-the-top battle against the extraterrestrial invaders, filled with outrageous humor, graphic violence, and plenty of bodily fluids as the brothers fight to save their country from a culinary catastrophe.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Bad Taste yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Bad Taste (1989)

Trace every key event in Bad Taste (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Team Dispatch

The New Zealand Astro Investigation and Defence Service (AIDS) assembles a specialized team to explore the mysterious vanishing of residents in Kaihoro. Comprising Derek, Frank, Ozzy, and Barry, their mission is to uncover the secrets behind the strange occurrences in the town.

Kaihoro, North Island, New Zealand
2

Arrival in Kaihoro

Upon reaching Kaihoro, the team quickly realizes that the town is under siege by space aliens disguised as humans. As they assess the situation, the gravity of their task becomes apparent when they encounter signs of chaos and disappearance.

Kaihoro, North Island, New Zealand
3

First Confrontation

In a startling turn of events, Barry eliminates one of the aliens, which leads to a fierce counterattack by other aliens brandishing sledgehammers. This first confrontation lays the foundation for the ensuing chaos as Derek alerts his teammates who are en route to the town.

Kaihoro, North Island, New Zealand
4

Torture of Robert

To extract information, Derek resorts to torturing Robert, the alien they captured earlier. The situation escalates as Robert's desperate screams draw more aliens to their location, intensifying the already perilous scenario.

5

Derek’s Fall

During a dramatic clash with the alien reinforcements, Derek finds himself unexpectedly betrayed by Robert. In a tragic accident, Derek tumbles over a cliff, seemingly meeting his demise as the team tries to cope with the sudden loss.

Cliff near Kaihoro
6

Giles’ Encounter

Giles, a charity bill collector, innocently wanders into Kaihoro only to be attacked by Robert, who has been consuming the brains of the slain alien. In a desperate escape, Giles flees but is captured by another alien disguised as a chef.

Kaihoro, North Island, New Zealand
7

A Disturbing Awakening

Giles regains consciousness submerged in a bathtub full of water. He realizes he is the main course in a terrifying meal prepared by the aliens, raising the stakes for his survival amidst the ongoing crisis.

8

Derek's Recovery

Derek miraculously awakens in a seagull’s nest with part of his brain leaking out. He humorously attempts to remedy this odd predicament by stuffing his brain back in and securing it with a hat, showcasing his irreverent character.

Seagull’s nest in Kaihoro
9

Infiltrating the Alien Lair

As night falls, Frank, Ozzy, and Barry stealthily infiltrate the alien lair where they discover gruesome cardboard boxes hinting at the disturbing truth. They capture an alien and, in a daring move, Frank disguises himself to gather vital information.

Alien lair, Kaihoro
10

Revelation of the Fast Food Chain

Frank uncovers the horrifying reality that the residents of Kaihoro have been harvested to serve as food for an alien fast food chain called 'Crum's Country Delights.' This shocking revelation escalates the urgency for the team to act before it’s too late.

Alien gathering, Kaihoro
11

Dawn Attack

At dawn, the team's rescue plan for Giles goes awry as the aliens launch a fierce attack. In the chaos of a chaotic gun battle, Derek resourcefully transforms a belt into a headband to keep his remaining brain intact while wielding a chainsaw for combat.

Kaihoro
12

Confronting Lord Crumb

As the battle escalates, they confront Lord Crumb, the alien leader, who showcases his formidable power. Injured but undeterred, the team fights valiantly, with Derek proving his worth against overwhelming odds.

13

Final Climactic Showdown

In a climactic showdown, Derek wields his chainsaw in a fierce confrontation with Lord Crumb. Despite sustaining injuries, he surprises his friends with his resilience and determination, demonstrating bravery against the alien menace.

14

Derek's Attack from the Ship

Derek is inadvertently launched aboard the aliens' colossal spaceship. As he witnesses Earth shrink away, he uses the commotion to launch a surprise attack on Lord Crumb, slicing through the alien in a moment of victory.

Spaceship, Outer Space
15

Driving into the Sunset

The film concludes with a heartwarming scene where Frank, Ozzy, Giles, and Barry drive away in Derek's car. United after their harrowing experiences, they leave Kaihoro behind, symbolizing hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

Highway, North Island, New Zealand

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 23:17

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Gloriously Grotesque Sci-Fi Horror Comedies like Bad Taste

Movies that mix alien scares with disgusting gore and absurd laughs.If you liked the outrageous mix of alien invasion and body horror comedy in Bad Taste, you'll love these movies. This collection features similar low-budget, high-energy films where the gore is extreme, the humor is dark, and the sci-fi premises are utterly absurd.

campygorydarkly humorouschaoticgrungyabsurdlow-budgetenergetic

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically involve a straightforward, high-stakes confrontation with a bizarre threat, often extraterrestrial. The narrative is a vehicle for escalating chaos, focusing on visceral, over-the-top action and survival against grotesque odds, with character development taking a backseat to the next inventive set piece of carnage.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique tonal blend of high-intensity horror and intentional, often self-aware, comedy. They share a grungy, energetic aesthetic, a focus on practical effects for maximum gore, and a pace that rarely lets up, creating a cohesive experience of absurd, violent fun.

Chaotic Underdog Battles Against Overwhelming Odds like in Bad Taste

Ragtag groups facing bizarre, world-ending threats with chaotic energy.For viewers who enjoyed the frantic, messy battle against the aliens in Bad Taste, this list finds similar movies. These films feature ragtag protagonists using whatever means necessary to survive against bizarre, powerful enemies, resulting in chaotic and entertaining conflicts.

chaoticenergeticunderdogviolentabsurdthrillingdesperatedarkly humorous

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a simple escalation: a strange threat emerges, and a motley crew of protagonists, ill-prepared for the task, must rise to the occasion. The journey is defined by a series of frantic, often improvised confrontations where success is measured in survival and causing maximum chaos for the enemy.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core experience of high-stakes, disorganized conflict. The similarity comes from the fast pacing, the focus on unpolished, energetic action, and the emotional tone of defiant, darkly humorous struggle against impossible odds, making the victories feel earned through sheer grit and chaos.

Unlock the Full Story of Bad Taste

Don't stop at just watching — explore Bad Taste in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bad Taste is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Bad Taste Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Bad Taste, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Bad Taste Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bad Taste

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Bad Taste. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bad Taste

Bad Taste Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Bad Taste that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Bad Taste Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Bad Taste

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bad Taste: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Bad Taste

Similar Movies to Bad Taste

Discover movies like Bad Taste that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.