Very Bad Things Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bachelor party goes sideways when a stripper dies, leading to a series of increasingly bad decisions fueled by wedding planning stress and an overzealous self-help guru, resulting in everyone dying or wishing they were.

🍿 Very Bad Things: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Ill-Fated Bachelor Party

Kyle Fisher and his four friends head to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. The group includes the assertive Robert Boyd, brothers Adam and Michael Berkow, and the mild-mannered Charles Moore. Their celebration takes a dark turn when Michael accidentally kills a stripper they hired. This sets off a chain of increasingly bad decisions. The accident marks a critical turning point, shifting the tone from a raunchy comedy to a black comedy with dark and suspenseful elements.

The Cover-Up Escalates

Boyd, demonstrating a chilling level of composure, convinces the others to cover up the death. Their attempts at concealing the crime escalate when a hotel security guard discovers the body. In a desperate move, Boyd kills the guard, committing them further to the cover-up. The group then disposes of both bodies in the desert, hoping to return to their normal lives, unaware of the consequences to come.

Guilt and Paranoia Unravel the Group

Back home, the weight of their actions begins to unravel the group. Adam, burdened by guilt, becomes increasingly erratic, confiding vaguely in his wife, Lois. During the wedding rehearsal, tensions explode between Adam and Michael, resulting in Adam’s accidental death when Michael intentionally hits Adam with his car. Now, dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy, the group is forced into even more desperate and dangerous actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kyle Fisher (Jon Favreau): The groom-to-be whose bachelor party sets off a chain of increasingly violent events.
• Laura Garrety (Cameron Diaz): The bride obsessed with her wedding, willing to do anything to ensure it goes as planned.
• Robert Boyd (Christian Slater): The seemingly level-headed friend who manipulates the group into covering up the initial crime, leading to further violence.
• Adam Berkow (Daniel Stern): One of the friends at the bachelor party, whose guilt and paranoia contribute to the escalating chaos.
• Michael Berkow (Jeremy Piven): Adam’s brother who is responsible for the initial incident and struggles with the consequences.
• Charles Moore (Leland Orser): A quiet, somewhat passive member of the group, who becomes increasingly affected by the unfolding events.
• Lois Berkow (Jeanne Tripplehorn): Adam’s wife, who seeks the truth after his death, becoming a threat to the group’s cover-up.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Boyd: “If you take away the horror of the scene, take away the tragedy of the death, take away all the moral and ethical implications that have been drilled into your head since grade one, do you know what you’re left with? A 105-pound problem that needs to be moved from point A to point B.” – Boyd rationalizes covering up the accidental death of the stripper in a detached, business-like manner.
• Boyd: “Surrender is no longer an option.” – Boyd says this after killing the security guard, indicating a point of no return for the group’s actions.
• Laura: “No one is going to rob me of the wedding I’ve waited 27 years to have.” – Laura expresses her obsession with having a perfect wedding, even in the face of horrific events.
• Laura: “The scent of cheap hotel’s whore’s sex” – Laura shows her disgust after hearing the story about what happened in Vegas.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,898,412
• Worldwide Gross: $9,898,412

💥 Very Bad Things Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw ‘Very Bad Things’ late at night and was completely blown away. It’s not a film for everyone, that’s for sure. The dark humor is REALLY dark, and the violence is over the top. But I found it incredibly entertaining. Cameron Diaz’s character is hilariously awful. The rehearsal dinner scene? Absolutely brilliant. It really explores how wedding stress can turn people crazy. It’s a wild ride from start to finish.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedy”
  • “Viewers who appreciate satire”
  • “Those who enjoy films that push boundaries”
  • “People who like films with unexpected twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “”Very Bad Things” starts with a promising premise but quickly devolves into a series of increasingly absurd and violent scenarios. The talented cast tries its best, but the dark humor often misses the mark, leaving a disturbing and uneven viewing experience. The film struggles to balance its comedic and thriller elements, ultimately falling short of its potential.
• The New York Times: “Peter Berg’s “Very Bad Things” is a misfire. The film’s attempts at dark comedy fall flat due to its reliance on shock value and unlikeable characters. The escalating violence becomes tiresome, and the film lacks the wit or insight needed to justify its grim tone. It’s a disappointing effort from a talented ensemble.
• Los Angeles Times: “”Very Bad Things” is a savagely funny and daringly dark comedy that pushes the boundaries of good taste. The film’s success lies in its willingness to embrace the absurd and the grotesque, while still delivering sharp social commentary. Christian Slater shines as the charismatic yet terrifying Robert Boyd.

Audience Reactions

Cameron Diaz’s performance as the bridezilla is both hilarious and terrifying.: Viewers either loved or hated the film, depending on their tolerance for dark humor and violence.

Christian Slater’s character, Robert Boyd, is a standout, with many finding him to be both charismatic and unsettling.: The film’s ending is divisive, with some finding it to be a fittingly bleak conclusion, while others found it unsatisfying.

Overall Consensus: A divisive dark comedy that elicits strong reactions, praised for its daringness and performances, but criticized for its excessive violence and unlikeable characters. Viewers either find it hilarious or deeply disturbing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Adam Sandler was originally cast as Michael Berkow but dropped out at the last minute to make ‘The Waterboy’. Jeremy Piven replaced him.”
• “Kobe Tai, who played the stripper Tina, was an actual adult film star. This added a layer of authenticity, if controversial, to the role.”
• “Peter Berg, who wrote and directed ‘Very Bad Things’, is primarily known as an actor, appearing in films like ‘Cop Land’. This was his directorial debut.”

🖥️ How to Watch Very Bad Things?

Currently, ‘Very Bad Things’ is available for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check these services for the most up-to-date availability and pricing. Unfortunately, it is not typically included in standard streaming subscriptions.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Very Bad Things, you might like these similar films:

• Shallow Grave (1994): Deals with a group of friends making increasingly bad decisions after stumbling upon a dead body and a large sum of money.
• Fargo (1996): Features dark humor and escalating violence as ordinary people get caught up in criminal activities.
• A Simple Plan (1998): Explores how a group of ordinary people are driven to do terrible things after finding a large sum of money.
• The War of the Roses (1989): Showcases a descent into madness and extreme behavior within a seemingly normal suburban setting, though centered on a failing marriage rather than crime.

🛒 Very Bad Things Related Products

• Very Bad Things [Blu-ray]: Own the darkly comedic cult classic on Blu-ray. Experience the film’s sharp visuals and intense sound design in high definition. A must-have for fans of black humor and stellar performances.
• Christian Slater Autographed Photo: A rare and authentic autographed photo of Christian Slater as Robert Boyd. Perfect for collectors and fans of Slater’s memorable performance in “Very Bad Things.”
• Wedding Planner Survival Kit: A tongue-in-cheek kit designed to help survive the stresses of wedding planning. Includes stress balls, relaxation aids, and emergency chocolate. A humorous gift inspired by Cameron Diaz’s character.
• Corkscrew Weapon Keychain: A novelty keychain shaped like a corkscrew, a subtle and humorous nod to one of the film’s more memorable (and gruesome) scenes. A dark but funny accessory for fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Boogaloo in Room 802” – performed by Willie Bobo

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Something very bad has happened to the girl Movie Explain

Ever felt like a movie’s ending went right over your head? This short video breaks down the plot of ‘Very Bad Things’ in under a minute. I thought the ending was wild, and this really helped me understand what happened!

✨ Rate