The Tripper Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of hippies go to a music festival and get axed by a dude in a Reagan mask because…reasons?

🍿 The Tripper: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Origin of ‘Reagan’

In the 1980s, a young boy named Gus witnesses his father, a lumberjack foreman, clashing with environmental protestors. After one protestor physically assaults his father, Gus, enraged, kills the protestor with a chainsaw. This formative event sets the stage for his future actions and warped ideology.

Journey to the American Free Love Festival

In the present day, Samantha, recovering from abuse by her ex-boyfriend Jimmy, joins her friends on a trip to the American Free Love Festival, a rock concert in the woods. Their journey is disrupted by encounters with hostile locals, highlighting the clash between counter-culture and conservative elements. Despite the harassment, they manage to reach the festival grounds.

A Killer Emerges

As the festival gets underway, a masked killer dressed as Ronald Reagan begins targeting the attendees. The local mayor, Hal Burton, and Deputy Buzz Hall attempt to maintain order, but are largely ineffective against the escalating violence. The hippies find themselves easy prey due to their drug use and carefree attitude.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Samantha (Jaime King): A traumatized woman escaping a past relationship, attending the Free Love Festival with her friends.
• Buzz (Thomas Jane): The local deputy sheriff trying to maintain order and investigate the murders at the festival.
• Ivan (Lukas Haas): Samantha’s boyfriend who struggles with drug use and keeping his promises.
• Muff (David Arquette): A local redneck and hunter who gets into an altercation with the hippies.
• Jimmy (Balthazar Getty): Samantha’s abusive ex-boyfriend who stalks her at the festival.
• Ronald Reagan Killer (Unknown): A deranged serial killer wearing a Ronald Reagan mask, targeting the hippies at the festival.
• Frank Baker (Paul Reubens): The sleazy concert promoter of the American Free Love Festival.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bert – Lumberjack Foreman: “Yeah, and what is that petition made out of? Paper, you moron! Paper from trees!” – Said to a protesting hippie, highlighting the irony of their cause.
• Killer: “But I’m a Republican!” – A victim desperately pleads for his life, showcasing the film’s political satire.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,840
• Worldwide Gross: $20,840

💥 The Tripper Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘The Tripper’ is definitely a weird one. It’s like David Arquette had a bunch of crazy ideas, threw them in a blender, and hit ‘puree’. The Reagan mask killer is genuinely disturbing, especially with the political undertones. I wasn’t always sure if I was laughing or cringing, but I couldn’t look away. The drug trip scenes are wild, and the gore is over-the-top. Definetly a movie that is best watched with friends, and some snacks!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of campy horror movies”
  • “Viewers interested in political satire”
  • “Those who appreciate over-the-top gore”
  • “Slasher film enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “David Arquette delivers a politically charged slasher that is daring. It may be for horror fans only, but it’s an attempt to launch a broadside at a right-wing establishment that is ankle-deep in dead bodies. Gore and nudity are abundant, with some nice cinematography that mimics the drug experience.
• IMDb: “Arquette has written a dark satire that, thanks to Trickle Down economics, transcended the political climate for the past 20 years. He seems to have left no political ideal untouched. This is a unique film experience. The characters are rich, and their personalities are extremely layered.

Audience Reactions

The Ronald Reagan mask-wearing killer provides both scares and dark humor.: Many viewers found the film entertaining due to its blend of horror and satire.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing film with some finding its blend of horror and satire entertaining and others finding it to be a poorly executed mess.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “David Arquette gave each cast and crew member a personalized poncho at the wrap party because it rained so much during filming.”
• “Ironically, the few days it didn’t rain, the crew had to create artificial rain for the rain scenes.”
• “David Arquette was inspired to create this film growing up in Los Angeles during the Reagan era.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Tripper?

As of today, there are no streaming options to watch ‘The Tripper’. You can try to find it for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or similar digital storefronts. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Tripper, you might like these similar films:

• Scream (1996): Shares a self-aware, comedic approach to the slasher genre, with David Arquette in a prominent role in both films.
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974): Features graphic violence and a group of young people terrorized in a remote location.
• Idle Hands (1999): A stoner comedy-horror with over-the-top gore and dark humor.

🛒 The Tripper Related Products

• Ronald Reagan Mask: A high-quality Ronald Reagan mask perfect for cosplay, Halloween, or adding a touch of dark humor to your collection. Embrace the Reagan spirit, whether for political satire or horror-themed events.
• Tie-Dye T-Shirt: Embrace your inner hippie with a vibrant, hand-dyed tie-dye t-shirt. Made with soft, breathable cotton, each shirt features a unique swirl pattern. Perfect for music festivals or casual wear.
• Horror Movie Soundtrack Collection: Download a collection of iconic horror movie soundtracks, featuring suspenseful scores and memorable themes. Perfect for setting a creepy atmosphere or reliving your favorite scary movie moments.
• Axe Weapon Replica: A replica of an Axe Weapon for display purposes only. Made of durable, lightweight materials, perfect for cosplay or collection display.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Tripper features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Change” – performed by Ear 2000

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Tripper Snipper | The big lez show

Ever wonder what happens when The Big Lez Show meets the barber shop? Check out this hilarious sketch, it’s ridiculous and totally worth a watch!

✨ Rate