Planet Terror

Planet Terror

Year: 2007

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

ActionHorrorThriller

Humanity’s last hope rests on a powerful machine gun. Two doctors on a night shift are overwhelmed by townspeople infected with painful sores. Among the victims is Cherry Darling, a dancer who lost a leg. As the afflicted turn violent, Cherry and her ex‑boyfriend El Wray rally a rag‑tag band of reluctant fighters to face the night.

Planet Terror (2007) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In a bleak, rain‑slick town where night seems to have a life of its own, a mysterious biochemical threat turns ordinary residents into painful, fever‑racked strangers. The community’s only sanctuary becomes the over‑crowded emergency ward, where two physicians on a relentless night shift scramble to keep the sick alive while the world outside slides toward chaos. The atmosphere is a tightrope of claustrophobic urgency and grim humor, the hum of hospital machinery underscored by distant, unsettling moans that hint at something far worse than a simple outbreak.

Cherry Darling is a fierce go‑go dancer whose confidence is matched only by the scar she carries—a missing leg that never slows her swagger. She re‑encounters her enigmatic former lover El Wray at a rundown roadside tavern, a meeting that quickly spirals into a reluctant partnership. Both exude a gritty charisma that draws a mismatched crew of locals, each haunted by personal doubts yet compelled to stand together against the creeping night. Their dynamic crackles with a blend of raw survival instinct and a stubborn hope that refuses to be extinguished.

Dr. William Block and his wife Dakota Block round out the core of the story, embodying the tension between professional duty and personal strain. The doctors’ expertise is vital, but their relationship adds a layer of emotional complexity that mirrors the town’s fractured equilibrium. As the infection spreads, the hospital’s corridors become a makeshift battlefield, and the promise of a single, powerful machine gun—humanity’s last hope—lurks as a symbol of desperate resistance.

The film balances visceral horror with moments of dark comedy, painting a world where every shadow could conceal danger, yet the smallest spark of camaraderie can ignite a fight for survival. In this night‑marred landscape, Cherry and El Wray must marshal their rag‑tag band, testing their resolve against an unseen, relentless threat that threatens to engulf them all.

Last Updated: October 11, 2025 at 19:46

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Grindhouse-Style Survival Horror Movies like Planet Terror

Over-the-top gore and dark humor in a desperate fight for survival.If you liked the over-the-top action and pulpy style of Planet Terror, explore more movies like it. This list features high-energy horror films with grindhouse aesthetics, graphic violence, dark comedy, and desperate survival stories that capture a similar chaotic and entertaining vibe.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a straightforward siege structure where a group of survivors, often flawed or eccentric, must band together against an overwhelming threat. The plot moves rapidly from one chaotic set-piece to the next, with character arcs focusing on quick redemption or moments of heroic sacrifice amidst the carnage.

Why These Movies?

This group shares a specific tonal blend of brutal violence and dark, self-referential comedy, delivered with a gritty, retro visual style. The pacing is relentless, the atmosphere is grungy, and the overall experience celebrates its own B-movie excess, creating a uniquely entertaining form of horror.

Movies about Ragtag Resistance like in Planet Terror

Flawed characters unite to fight a corrupt system during an apocalypse.Fans of the ragtag resistance fighters in Planet Terror will enjoy these similar films. Discover stories where a diverse group of survivors bands together against overwhelming odds, often facing threats from both monsters and a corrupt system, in fast-paced, high-intensity action horror.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative centers on a disparate group of individuals—each with their own baggage and skills—thrown together by catastrophe. They must overcome internal conflicts and personal demons to confront a powerful, often sinister, opposing force. The journey is marked by improvisation, sacrifice, and a bittersweet victory that comes at a great cost.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by the core theme of an underdog community forming in the face of annihilation. They share a heavy emotional weight due to significant loss, a dark tone from the bleak setting, and a fast pace driven by constant external threats, creating a compelling mix of character drama and intense action.

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Planet Terror Summary

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Planet Terror Summary

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Planet Terror Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Planet Terror

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Planet Terror

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