🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer
- Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Parody
- Release year: 2013
- Runtime (length): 1h 23min
- IMDb rating: 3.2/10 (23K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Girl volunteers for deadly game show where she might win a used pickle, accidentally becomes a superhero, and then kills everyone, including the Avengers, because…reasons.
🍿 The Starving Games: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Kantmiss and District 12
In a post-apocalyptic future, Kantmiss Evershot practices archery in District 12. Her hunting trip is interrupted by her boyfriend, Dale, leading to an accidental arrow strike on the Wizard of Oz. This sets the stage for the absurd humor that defines the film, establishing Kantmiss as the central figure in a world struggling with food scarcity and bizarre societal norms. The scene serves to parody the serious tone of the original *Hunger Games* by injecting elements of randomness and pop-culture references. It quickly shows the audience what kind of movie they are settling in to see.

The 75th Annual Starving Games
The 75th annual Starving Games gathering reveals President Snowballs’ vision for a society divided into districts to prevent past absurdities, such as Lady Gaga’s presidency. The drawing of contestants is filled with comical name puns, and Kantmiss volunteers to save her sister, Petunia. Peter Malarky becomes the other contestant from District 12, much to Dale’s dismay. This section satirizes the dystopian elements of *The Hunger Games* by exaggerating the bizarre fashion and power structures, emphasizing the ridiculousness of the premise.

Inside the Arena
The Starving Games begin with a chaotic fight for survival. Kantmiss grabs a backpack and flees, facing attacks from Angry Birds sent by the producer. She teams up with Rudy, vowing to eliminate other contestants. Kantmiss uses various strategies to kill competitors, including exploiting their weaknesses. This part parodies the violent and strategic aspects of the *Hunger Games* arena, mixing in pop-culture characters and absurd weaponry for comedic effect.

Romance and Betrayal
President Snowballs desires a lesbian love story, but settles for a straight romance. The producer announces a couple can win, leading Kantmiss to team up with Marco, then with Peter, following the producer’s manipulation. Intimacy between Kantmiss and Peter becomes a televised spectacle. Dale, disgusted, intrudes into the arena, causing further chaos. This section satirizes the romantic subplots and reality-TV elements of the original story, emphasizing the absurdity of the games’ manipulation and the contestants’ relationships.

The Final Showdown
Kantmiss, Peter, and Marco face off, leading to Dale’s intervention and the elimination of the Expendables. After a breakup with Dale, Kantmiss kills Marco and ultimately kills Peter to emerge as the sole winner. Nick Fury and the Avengers appear, only to be killed in an explosion. The ending satirizes the convoluted plot twists and the superficial heroic narratives of the source material, leaving the audience with a sense of absurd resolution.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Kantmiss (Maiara Walsh): Kantmiss Evershot is the film’s protagonist who volunteers for the Starving Games in place of her sister and must use her archery skills to survive.
- Dale (Brant Daugherty): Dale is Kantmiss’s boyfriend who is left behind when she enters the Starving Games, later attempting to rescue her.
- Peter (Cody Christian): Peter Malarkey is the baker’s son who becomes Kantmiss’s teammate and potential love interest in the Starving Games.
- President Snowballs (Diedrich Bader): President Snowballs is the tyrannical leader who oversees the Starving Games for entertainment and control.
- Effoff (Lauren Bowles): Effoff is the district’s representative who prepares Kantmiss and Peter for the Starving Games.
- Seleca (Dean J. West): Seleca is the producer of the Starving Games, manipulating events for higher ratings and dramatic effect.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- President Snowballs: “I separated America into districts to keep ‘stupid stuff’ from happening again, such as Lady Gaga being president.” – This line is part of President Snowball’s promo video explaining the history of the Starving Games.
- Nick Fury: “I want Kantmiss to join the Avengers team as a replacement for Hawkeye.” – Fury’s line leads to an explosion that kills all the Avengers, highlighting the movie’s absurdist humor.
- Kantmiss Evershot: “It’s nothing personal.” – Kantmiss utters this line right before killing Peter with an arrow, a darkly comedic moment.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $4,999,278
- Domestic Gross: None
- Worldwide Gross: $3,906,308
💥 The Starving Games Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this knowing it wouldn’t be Oscar-worthy, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s dumb, it’s crude, but it’s also kinda funny in a “turn your brain off” sort of way. I chuckled at the ‘Angry Birds’ attack and the sheer absurdity of the plot. Honestly, the bloopers at the end were probably the best part. If you’re looking for high art, steer clear. If you want a silly distraction, this might do the trick.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of parody movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy low-brow humor”
- “Those familiar with ‘The Hunger Games'”
- “Those looking for a silly comedy”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude humor”
- “Sexual innuendo”
- “Violence”
- “Some gore”
Professional Reviews
- FilmSnobReviews: “While it weakly pokes fun at ‘The Hunger Games,’ this parody mostly throws random pop culture references at the screen, hoping something sticks. The humor is broad and often falls flat, but Diedrich Bader as President Snowballs provides a few genuine laughs. Approach with extremely low expectations.
- MovieMadness: “Another Friedberg and Seltzer disaster. Dated references, tired gags, and a complete lack of wit make this a painful experience. The plot is barely coherent, and the acting is phoned in. Avoid at all costs unless you’re a glutton for cinematic punishment.
- SpoofCentral: “If you enjoy low-brow humor and appreciate the occasional well-executed parody, ‘The Starving Games’ might offer some mild amusement. It’s uneven, but Maiara Walsh commits to the role, and there are a few surprisingly clever moments amidst the toilet humor.
Audience Reactions
If you like these kinds of spoof movies, you will laugh at this.: People find the jokes to be poorly executed, depending on taste.
A few found this movie hilarious: Those who get the humor appreciate the references
Overall Consensus: A low-brow parody that may appeal to fans of the genre, but is generally considered unfunny and poorly executed.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is a parody of ‘The Hunger Games’ and also spoofs other pop culture elements like ‘The Avengers,’ ‘The Expendables,’ and various celebrities.”
- “Many of the jokes rely on toilet humor and crude references, which is a common style for the directors, Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Starving Games?
As a parody film, availability on streaming services may vary. Check platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray might also be available from online retailers like Amazon or at local stores. Because of the film’s low ratings, it is not available on most major streaming platforms but can be found for rent on smaller platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Starving Games, you might like these similar films:
- Meet the Spartans (2008): Another parody film by Friedberg and Seltzer, known for its similar style of humor and pop culture references.
- Scary Movie (2000): A more successful and earlier parody that set the tone for the genre, with a mix of horror and comedy.
- Airplane! (1980): A classic parody film known for its fast-paced humor, sight gags, and absurd situations.
- Epic Movie (2007): Shares the same directors and formulaic parody style, lampooning various blockbusters of its time.
🛒 The Starving Games Related Products
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 [Blu-ray]: Experience the original Hunger Games saga in high definition. A stark contrast to ‘The Starving Games’, this film offers thrilling action and a compelling story.
- The Hunger Games: The Complete 4-Film Collection [Blu-ray]: Get the complete Hunger Games saga to delve into the world that inspired this parody. See the differences between the real world, and the movie.
- NECA – The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Prop Replica: Own a piece of the Hunger Games with this detailed Mockingjay prop replica. A great addition to any fan’s collection and a reminder of the world being parodied.
- Rubie’s Costume Co The Hunger Games Katniss Costume: Dress up as the original Katniss Everdeen. Great costume to make a parody version of your own.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Starving Games 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
Yes, ‘The Starving Games’ is primarily a spoof of ‘The Hunger Games’ film series. It incorporates characters, plot elements, and themes from the original movies, exaggerating them for comedic effect. The movie also includes parodies of other popular movies and cultural phenomena.
The main actors in ‘The Starving Games’ include Maiara Walsh as Kantmiss Evershot, Brant Daugherty as Dale, Cody Christian as Peter Malarkey, and Diedrich Bader as President Snowballs.
As a parody film, availability on streaming services may vary. Check platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray might also be available from online retailers like Amazon or at local stores.
‘The Starving Games’ generally received negative reviews from critics, with many criticizing its reliance on crude humor and its failure to deliver clever satire. Audience reviews are mixed, with some viewers finding it funny if they enjoy low-brow comedy, while others find it unwatchable. The audience scores indicate that viewers are generall unhappy with the film.
🔥 Bonus Content
Hunger Games Press Conference – Saturday Night Live
Remember that iconic SNL Hunger Games sketch? It’s seriously hilarious, and this press conference bit is probably the best part. You HAVE to see it!
Funny moments from The Starving Games
Need a quick laugh? This video compiles the funniest scenes from ‘The Starving Games’. Some of them are genuinely unexpected, I promise you won’t regret watching!
The Starving Games Cast Talks Filming – Celebrity Interview
Ever wondered what it’s like filming a parody movie? This interview with the cast gives you the inside scoop on all the behind-the-scenes fun. You’ll find out that Maiara Walsh and Cody Christian are incredibly funny.
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