Very Bad Things

Very Bad Things

Year: 1998

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Peter Berg

Budget: $30M

ThrillerComedyCrime

A bachelor party in Las Vegas takes a dark and unexpected turn when a tragic accident leads to a stripper's death. The group of friends, desperate to avoid consequences, finds themselves entangled in a web of lies and paranoia. As they attempt to cover up the incident, one man’s unraveling sanity escalates the situation into a terrifying fight for survival, with deadly consequences for everyone involved.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Very Bad Things 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 & Setting – Very Bad Things (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Very Bad Things (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film captures the chaotic essence of a bachelor party weekend, typically associated with the celebration of impending marriage. This period of recklessness highlights the transition from singlehood to commitment, layered with consequences of impulsive actions.

Location

Las Vegas, Desert

Las Vegas, known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for its vibrant nightlife, casinos, and extravagant shows. The desert setting plays a crucial role, symbolizing the isolation where the characters attempt to hide their dark secrets. Together, these locations create a contrasting backdrop of excitement and despair.

🏜️ Desert 🎰 Las Vegas

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:22

Main Characters – Very Bad Things (1998)

Meet the key characters of Very Bad Things (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kyle Fisher

Kyle is a conflicted protagonist torn between his impending marriage and the chaotic events of his bachelor party. His desire for freedom clashes with the horrifying reality of his actions, leading to a deep emotional struggle. Despite his attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy, Kyle is ultimately overwhelmed by the consequences of his choices.

👰‍♂️ Groom 😟 Guilt 🎉 Party

Laura

Laura is Kyle's controlling fiancée who represents the emotional stakes of his reckless behavior. As the story unfolds, she transitions from a bride-to-be to a figure overwhelmed by the subsequent chaos of their lives. Her relationship with Kyle is tested as secrets and tragic events unfold, revealing her darker side.

👰 Bride 😠 Anger 😥 Overwhelm

Boyd

Boyd is a pivotal character whose actions escalate the chaos after the accidental death. Initially seeking to help, his character quickly turns sinister, revealing a selfish and manipulative nature. His descent into violence demonstrates the moral breakdown that ensues when faced with dire consequences.

👹 Manipulative ⚔️ Violent 😱 Chaos

Adam

Adam is the brother of Michael, haunted by guilt and emotional turmoil stemming from their disastrous night. His conflict escalates and leads to tragic consequences, showcasing the weight of responsibility that comes with reckless actions. His character arc reflects the tragic result of poor decisions.

😨 Guilt 🚗 Tragedy 💔 Loss

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:22

Major Themes – Very Bad Things (1998)

Explore the central themes of Very Bad Things (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Consequences

The theme of consequences permeates throughout the film as the characters grapple with the aftermath of their reckless choices. Their night of fun quickly devolves into a series of tragic events that ultimately lead to emotional and physical repercussions. Each decision they make builds a spiral of guilt and responsibility that they cannot escape.

🤐 Secrecy

Secrecy weaves a tangled web among the characters as they conceal the truth about their actions. The pressure to maintain facades not only strains friendships but also reveals the darker sides of their personalities. As secrets unfold, trust diminishes, and paranoia reigns.

🎭 Deception

Deception is a central theme as the characters attempt to cover up their heinous actions. With each lie told to protect themselves and each other, the situation deteriorates further. This theme highlights the moral decay that comes from trying to evade the consequences of their night in Vegas.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:22

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.

Paranoid Crime Thrillers with Moral Collapse like Very Bad Things

One bad decision triggers an unstoppable chain of violence and moral decay.If the grim descent into chaos in Very Bad Things captivated you, explore more movies like it. These films feature ordinary people whose lives spiral out of control after a crime, leading to intense stories of cover-ups, betrayal, and psychological breakdown. Fans of dark, high-tension thrillers will find similar unsettling experiences here.

paranoidchaoticgrimunsettlingcynicalanxiousclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a single, often accidental, transgression that quickly escalates beyond control. The central conflict shifts from external consequences to the internal psychological warfare among the collaborators, as their sanity frays under the weight of guilt and fear. The plot follows a domino effect of bad decisions, leading to an inevitable, bleak conclusion.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the psychological toll of crime, a relentlessly fast pace that mirrors the characters' loss of control, and a uniformly dark, cynical tone. They deliver a specific, intense experience centered on moral decay and the futility of escaping one's actions.

Dark Comedies of Escalating Chaos like Very Bad Things

Where a night of celebration turns into a catastrophic fight for survival.For viewers who appreciated the bleak humor amidst the chaos of Very Bad Things, this section highlights similar movies. These stories often begin with a party or celebration that goes horribly wrong, mixing crime thriller intensity with cynical, dark comedy. Discover films that explore the absurdity of disaster with a similar fast-paced, unsettling vibe.

cynicalchaoticunsettlinggrimsatiricalanxiousbiting

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a social gathering or event that serves as the catalyst for a series of disastrous, interconnected events. The comedy is woven into the tension, arising from the stark contrast between the characters' initial intentions and the horrific reality they create. The story is a downward spiral where each attempt to fix a problem only creates a bigger one.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique tonal blend of high-tension thrills and subordinate, but essential, dark comedy. They share a fast-paced structure where chaos multiplies, a focus on the consequences of poor decisions within a group, and an overall vibe that is both grim and cynically humorous.

Unlock the Full Story of Very Bad Things

Don't stop at just watching — explore Very Bad Things 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 Very Bad Things is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Very Bad Things Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Very Bad Things, 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.

Very Bad Things Summary

Very Bad Things Timeline

Track the full timeline of Very Bad Things with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Very Bad Things Timeline

Very Bad Things Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Very Bad Things 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.

Very Bad Things Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Very Bad Things

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Very Bad Things: 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 Very Bad Things

Similar Movies to Very Bad Things

Discover movies like Very Bad Things 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.