Year: 2011
Runtime: 86 min
Language: English
Director: Gregg Araki
Set in a vibrant Southern California town, an 18-year-old college freshman named Smith finds themselves entangled in a disturbing conspiracy. The film explores themes of sex, humor, and horror as the protagonist, who identifies as ambisexual, journeys through what appears to be an idyllic world. However, a sinister plot begins to surface, revealing a dark and unsettling reality hidden beneath the surface.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Kaboom (2011), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Smith, an 18-year-old film student who identifies as undeclared, finds his nights filled with unsettling dreams that begin to bleed into his waking world. As he heads to college with his longtime best friend, Stella, whom he has known since junior high, a mysterious note appears labeling him the chosen son. The strange message tugs at his sense of identity, while his relationship with Stella grows ever more complex against the backdrop of campus life.
At a party, Stella forms a connection with a girl named Lorelei, whom Smith recognizes from his dreams. The night takes another turn when a red-haired girl, who also appears in his visions, vomits on his shoe. Before long, a British student named London enters Smith’s orbit, and the two share an intimate encounter—though London makes it clear she has little interest in a real relationship beyond sex.
Smith’s journey into dream and reality deepens as he visits a nude beach and meets a man named Hunter. Their encounter ends with a blunt disappointment: Hunter is married. Meanwhile, Stella discovers that Lorelei is not only unstable but also a witch whose psychic problems seem rooted in rejection. Stella attempts to distance herself, yet Lorelei’s eerie influence begins to grow stronger, even as Lorelei’s malevolence surfaces in dangerous ways.
A pivotal moment occurs when Smith stumbles upon Thor and his best friend Rex wrestling in their underwear. London then entices Rex into a threesome with Smith, arranged for Smith’s 19th birthday, turning a personal milestone into a chaotic crossover of desire and fear.
As the dreams persist, the red-haired girl reappears, and Smith envisions a chase through landscapes haunted by masked attackers. He learns that in one dream there was a girl killed and her head severed, a revelation that unsettles him deeply. He later meets Madeline, who seems to be the same red-haired girl, and she reveals that she has a twin sister named Rebecca, who was kidnapped years ago by men wearing animal masks.
Lorelei’s power grows more dangerous, and Stella is soon assaulted by Lorelei in a bathroom. Stella survives by spraying water on Lorelei, causing Lorelei to burn up in an eerie flash of magic.
The tension peaks when the animal-masked figures capture Smith, London, and Smith’s mother. They are loaded into a van and taken toward a hidden cult’s headquarters. Smith discovers that the cult’s leader is his own father, a man he was told died long ago; startlingly, London is revealed to be another child of the same cult leader, making her and Smith half-siblings.
In a dramatic pursuit, Stella, Oliver, and the perpetually stoned “Messiah” chase the van. Oliver possesses powers similar to Lorelei’s, but uses them for protective purposes. The Messiah’s seemingly hazy persona is a calculated act meant to shield Smith, and the role of the Messiah intersects with a broader mission: to guard Smith from the cult’s reach. The masked attackers turn out to be Thor, Rex, and Hunter themselves, whose mission is to shepherd London and Smith to an underground shelter designed to withstand a looming catastrophe. The plan hinges on surviving the exposure of dozens of nuclear bombs while ensuring the cult’s takeover of the world with Smith at its helm.
As the confrontation unfolds, the Messiah attempts a daring maneuver, steering the van toward danger. The chase climaxes on a bridge that collapses into a fatal rift as Smith’s father triggers a last, catastrophic move: a button that unleashes a global eruption, and the Earth is cast into ruin. In the aftermath, loyalty, lineage, and power collide in a world where dreams, secrets, and survival collide in inexorable ways.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:42
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.
Absurdist thrillers where seemingly normal lives unravel into world-ending conspiracies.If you liked the blend of surreal college life and frantic conspiracy in Kaboom, explore these movies with similar vibes. This list features other absurdist thrillers and comedies where seemingly normal settings unravel into world-ending plots and paranoid journeys.
Stories often begin in a deceptively mundane or eccentric setting before a hidden, apocalyptic conspiracy is revealed. The protagonist's perception of reality is constantly challenged, forcing them to navigate a series of bizarre and escalating events that culminate in a bleak or catastrophic conclusion.
These movies are grouped by their unique fusion of absurdist humor, paranoid tension, and apocalyptic stakes. They share a fast-paced, chaotic energy and a dreamlike visual style that creates an unsettling, anxious viewing experience where nothing is quite as it seems.
Stories of sexual self-discovery colliding with dark, hidden truths and peril.Fans of Kaboom's blend of sexual discovery and sinister conspiracy will find similar themes here. Discover other movies where a character's journey of identity and desire leads them into dark, dangerous secrets and a heavy emotional experience.
The narrative follows a young protagonist, often in a transitional life stage like college, as they explore their identity and sexuality. This personal journey accidentally exposes them to a dangerous secret or conspiracy, blurring the lines between self-discovery and survival, and resulting in a loss of innocence.
These films share a focus on the volatile intersection of personal exploration and external danger. They feature complex protagonists, heavy emotional weight, and a tension-driven pace, using themes of identity as a lens through which to view a darker, more chaotic world.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Kaboom 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 Kaboom is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Kaboom with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Kaboom. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Kaboom 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.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Kaboom: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Kaboom 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.
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