The Bad Batch

A young woman named Arlen finds herself exiled to a harsh desert landscape in Texas, a place where individuals deemed undesirable by the government, referred to as the “bad batch,” must survive on their own. A glaring sign makes it clear that this area is outside the United States, where American laws and citizenship are rendered void. Shortly after her arrival, Arlen is kidnapped by two women driving a golf cart. When she regains consciousness, she discovers she is chained up, and one of the women brutally amputates her right arm and leg. In a daring act of cunning, Arlen manages to deceive her captor, gains her freedom, and escapes while crawling on a skateboard. Eventually, she encounters a mute hermit who rescues her and brings her to a makeshift community known as Comfort, which is famous for its all-night raves.

Fast forward five months, and Arlen is now fitted with a prosthetic leg and has made a home in Comfort. One day, she ventures into the desert armed with a pistol to investigate a golf cart similar to those used by the cannibals from her past. During her search, she comes across a woman and a little girl scavenging in a trash heap. Believing the woman to be involved with the cannibal community, Arlen coldly shoots her in the head. Unbeknownst to her, the observant hermit witnesses this act as she takes the girl, Honey, back to the safety of Comfort. Meanwhile, Miami Man, the leader of the cannibals and Honey’s father, sets out to find his daughter after discovering the gruesome scene. After preparing an intricately drawn portrait, the hermit advises Miami Man to seek out Comfort for answers.

At Comfort, during a rave hosted by the enigmatic leader known as The Dream, Arlen indulges in a hallucinogenic substance and loses track of Honey, who is subsequently taken under The Dream’s wing. In a trance, Arlen wanders aimlessly into the desert, where she is confronted by Miami Man, who threatens her life if she cannot locate his daughter in Comfort.

As their treacherous journey unfolds, Arlen and Miami Man form an unexpected bond. Miami Man shares his tragic past, revealing that he was forced into this lawless territory due to his status as an illegal immigrant from Cuba. Their camaraderie is abruptly interrupted when another man shoots Miami Man in the chest, compelling Arlen to return to Comfort with a heavy heart as she continues her search for Honey.

Ultimately, Arlen discovers that Honey resides in a mansion owned by The Dream, surrounded by his harem of young pregnant women. During her encounter with The Dream, he discloses that the economy of Comfort thrives on the drugs produced by his concubines and that he has installed plumbing to keep the area surprisingly clean. Arlen conceives a plan to infiltrate his harem for the sake of Honey, but she secretly holds a pistol concealed in her prosthetic limb. After successfully extracting Honey, they flee Comfort in a golf cart and reunite with Miami Man, who has been rescued and tended to by the hermit.

The emotional reunion between Honey and Miami Man unfolds as Arlen contemplates her place in their new life together outside of Comfort. Although Miami Man tries to dissuade her from the harsh realities of desert living, he doesn’t push her away. Honey, having grown accustomed to a better lifestyle at The Dream’s mansion, requests spaghetti. Instead of fulfilling this request, Miami Man takes the family pet rabbit for dinner, and the three share a moment of peace around the fire while eating. As Miami Man comforts his daughter, he and Arlen share warm, knowing smiles, exchanging glances that hint at the possibility of a shared future in the unforgiving desert.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 19:45