🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Diego Hallivis
- Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 1h 41min
- IMDb rating: 4.9/10 (5.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 55%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Detained kids of immigrants get offered a sweet deal: work in an old folks’ home instead of being deported, but plot twist, the elder care facility is secretly a meat processing plant for old people.
🍿 American Carnage: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Controversial Executive Order
Following a controversial executive order, children of undocumented immigrants are arrested across the country. Among them is JP, a young man navigating life when his world is suddenly turned upside down by the crackdown. Along with other detained youth, JP is presented with a stark choice: face deportation or volunteer for community service. The offered opportunity is to work at an eldercare facility, promising dropped charges in exchange for their labor.

Arrival at the Peculiar Facility
JP and a group of other young detainees, including Camila, Big Mac, and others, accept the offer and are transported to the isolated eldercare facility. Upon arrival, they find the environment unsettling and the staff, led by the facility’s supervisor, behave strangely. The elderly residents exhibit unusual behavior, and the volunteers begin to suspect that their placement isn’t simply about eldercare. A sense of unease grows as they observe disturbing events and strict rules.

Discovering a Dark Conspiracy
As the volunteers spend more time at the facility, they uncover clues suggesting a sinister operation is underway. They realize the governor and the facility’s administration are involved in something far more depraved than standard detention. The conspiracy involves the young volunteers and the elderly residents in a horrifying scheme. The friends must work together to figure out the truth and find a way to escape the facility before they become permanent victims of the plan.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- JP (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.): The resourceful protagonist, an arrested youth who must navigate a sinister conspiracy while volunteering at an eldercare facility.
- Camila (Jenna Ortega): A sharp and cynical member of the detained youth group who helps uncover the horrifying truth about the facility.
- Big Mac (Allen Maldonado): A loud and humorous fellow detainee who provides comic relief and support within the group of young volunteers.
- Lily (Yumarie Morales): JP’s younger sister whose safety becomes a central concern as the horrors of the eldercare facility are revealed.
- Micah (Bella Ortiz): One of the young detainees volunteering at the facility who harbors secrets and a personal connection to the unfolding events.
- Eddie (Eric Dane): The charismatic yet sinister supervisor of the eldercare facility who orchestrates the depraved operation involving the youth and elderly.
- Harper Finn (Brett Cullen): The governor whose executive order targeting immigrants’ children sets the stage for the horrifying events at the eldercare facility.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Camila: “Hey, if she were into girls, I’d try to hit that too.” – Said casually to JP upon meeting Micah at the detention center, showcasing her straightforward personality.
- Big Mac: “This ain’t no community service! This feels like some Hunger Games type shit!” – Exclaiming in disbelief and fear upon arriving at the eerie and restrictive elderly care facility.
- JP: “They just trying to make us disappear.” – Realizing the horrifying truth about the facility and the fate planned for the immigrant youth.
- Eddie: “We’re not just providing care. We’re providing… futures.” – The facility supervisor gives a chilling, veiled explanation of the true, sinister purpose of the program.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $5,000,000
- Domestic Gross: None
- Worldwide Gross: $116,699
💥 American Carnage Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched American Carnage purely because of Jenna Ortega, but I was genuinely surprised by how off-the-wall it was! The setup with the detention center was already messed up, but when they got to the elderly care facility, I was like, ‘What in the world is happening?’ It gets genuinely creepy and then just completely bonkers with the twist. Honestly, the character Big Mac totally stole the show for me; he was hilarious and brought the only consistent comedy. The political stuff was *really* in your face, which might not be for everyone, but I appreciated that it wasn’t subtle. It’s definitely not a perfect movie; some parts felt slow, and the ending was a bit rushed. But overall? It was a surprisingly fun, albeit messed up, ride. If you like horror-comedies that aren’t afraid to get weird and tackle some heavy themes, you might dig this. Just don’t expect it to be *Get Out*.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark satire and political commentary in horror”
- “Viewers interested in unconventional or ‘B-movie’ horror concepts”
- “Fans of cast members, particularly Jenna Ortega or Jorge Lendeborg Jr.”
- “Those who enjoyed films like ‘Get Out’ or ‘The Hunt’ (with caveats regarding execution)”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Gore and body horror (related to rapid aging and processing)”
- “Disturbing themes (exploitation, cannibalism, xenophobia)”
- “Political and potentially divisive commentary”
- “Violence and death”
Professional Reviews
- Independent Critic: “American Carnage has a truly wild premise attempting to blend horror, comedy, and sharp political commentary. While the concept is ambitious and the central mystery intriguing, the execution is uneven. It swings wildly between tones, and some of the satire feels heavy-handed. Performances are decent, especially from the young cast, but the film struggles to consistently deliver scares or laughs, ultimately feeling like a missed opportunity.
- Genre Watcher: “For fans of audacious, over-the-top genre mashups, American Carnage offers a bizarrely entertaining ride. It doesn’t pull punches with its political themes, presenting them through a darkly comedic and gory lens. The twist is bonkers but memorable, and standout characters like Big Mac provide much-needed comedic relief. It’s flawed and low-budget, but it’s certainly not boring and delivers some genuinely shocking moments.
- Mainstream Media: “Despite a timely premise and a talented cast including Jenna Ortega, American Carnage ultimately collapses under its own weight. The script is weak, relying on clunky dialogue and unbelievable plot holes. The attempt at satire falls flat, replaced by jarring tonal shifts and ineffective scares. It tries to be many things—a thriller, a comedy, a horror, a political statement—but succeeds at none of them, resulting in a frustrating viewing experience.
Audience Reactions
Big Mac is the fan-favorite character, providing laughs and charm.: The film’s unique and bizarre premise, especially the unexpected twist, is a major talking point.
The movie sparks strong reactions, both positive and negative, regarding its political themes.: Despite mixed feelings on the execution, the core concept is seen as intriguing and timely by many.
Overall Consensus: A divisive horror-comedy with a polarizing political edge. Praised for its wild premise, standout character (Big Mac), and shocking twist, but criticized for uneven pacing, tonal shifts, and heavy-handed satire.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film’s title is taken from a phrase used by Donald Trump during a 2016 speech, directly influencing the movie’s political satire themes.”
- “Jenna Ortega appeared in four horror films released in 2022: Scream, Studio 666, X, and American Carnage.”
- “Despite being set in the United States, principal photography for the film took place in Madrid, Spain.”
🖥️ How to Watch American Carnage?
Directed by Diego Hallivis, ‘American Carnage’ is available for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Check your preferred digital storefront for pricing and availability. Specific streaming service availability may vary by region and subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed American Carnage, you might like these similar films:
- Get Out (2017): Similar blend of horror, satire, and social commentary focusing on the exploitation of a marginalized group by a sinister, privileged elite.
- Soylent Green (1973): Features a dystopian future where a grim truth about the source of food is revealed, mirroring the central, cannibalistic conspiracy in American Carnage.
- The Hunt (2020): Another satirical thriller centered on a group being hunted and exploited based on political ideology and class, with dark humor.
- Fresh (2022): Released the same year, this horror-thriller also involves themes of human exploitation and a disturbing, cannibalistic reveal under the guise of something else.
- Idiocracy (2006): A cult classic pure satire that critiques societal decline and political absurdity, appealing to fans who appreciate the overt social commentary aspect.
🛒 American Carnage Related Products
- Jenna Ortega Horror Movie Collection (e.g., X, Scream): Experience more thrills with a collection of highly-rated horror films featuring the movie’s star, Jenna Ortega.
- Social Satire Films Blu-ray Set (e.g., Sorry to Bother You, The Hunt): Explore other films that blend genre conventions with sharp social and political commentary, offering dark humor and thought-provoking themes.
- Dystopian Graphic Novel: Immigration Theme: Dive into a visually striking graphic novel that explores dystopian societies and the experiences of immigrants and marginalized communities.
- Horror-Comedy Movie Fan Merch (T-Shirts, Posters): Show your love for the horror-comedy genre with unique apparel and posters inspired by weird, wild, and funny scary movies.
🎧 Soundtrack
American Carnage features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
American Carnage is a horror-comedy film where children of undocumented immigrants, facing deportation, are offered a chance to clear their names by volunteering at an eldercare facility. Once there, they uncover a horrific conspiracy involving the residents and the facility’s purpose.
Yes, American Carnage is categorized as a horror-comedy, blending elements of thriller, mystery, and dark satire with its horror themes and gruesome premise.
The major twist (spoiler!) is that the eldercare facility is rapidly aging the young volunteers to turn them into meat for a fast-food chain, as part of a conspiracy orchestrated by the governor.
Yes, Jenna Ortega is part of the main cast in American Carnage, playing the character Camila, one of the young detainees sent to the eldercare facility.
American Carnage has received a low rating (4.9/10 on IMDb based on user reviews) and mixed reception. Common criticisms from viewers include its political messaging being heavy-handed, a premise some found absurd, poor pacing, and uneven tone blending comedy and horror.
🔥 Bonus Content
Growing Old 8x Faster In This Place, Teens Need To Find Way Out Quickly
Ever wondered how teens end up in a place where time goes super fast? This video breaks down the wild story of ‘American Carnage’ for you, and honestly, the premise is pretty mind-bending!
The movie is called “American Carnage.” #movie #film
Curious what people are saying in quick takes about the film? Check out this popular short – it seems to capture the essence perfectly in just a few seconds!
Jenna Ortega And Jorge Lendeborg Jr in American Carnage Exclusive Clip
Want to see some actual scenes from ‘American Carnage’ featuring Jenna Ortega? This exclusive clip gives you a sneak peek at the acting and the movie’s vibe – always cool to see a real moment!
Government Turns Illegal Immigrants Into Zombies By Injecting Them With Some Chemicals
Ready for the shocking core twist of ‘American Carnage’? This recap gets right to the crazy conspiracy involving ‘zombies’ and chemicals – buckle up, it’s wild!
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