The Bubble 2007

As the COVID-19 pandemic ravages the globe, a silver lining emerges in the form of Hollywood’s desperate need for escapism. Amidst this backdrop of desperation, one major studio dares to defy the odds by pressing ahead with the sixth installment of the “Cliff Beasts” franchise, carefully implementing safety measures to ensure a smooth production.

Behind the scenes, Gavin (Peter Serafinowicz), the executive producer, and his trusty assistant Pippa (Danielle Vitalis), are busy setting the tone for their latest project. They welcome two new additions to the team, Gunther (Harry Trevaldwyn) and Bola (Samson Kayo), who join forces with Gavin and Pippa to navigate the challenges of bringing this behemoth of a film to life.

Meanwhile, franchise stalwart Carol Cobb (Karen Gillan) makes her triumphant return to the series after a hiatus in the previous installment. Her reappearance sparks a mix of emotions among the cast, who are still reeling from the fallout of her earlier departure. The tension is palpable as Carol meets with her agent Marti (Rob Delaney), preparing her for the scrutiny that comes with being back in the spotlight.

As production gets underway, Carol finds herself sequestered in a London hotel, where she passes the time indulging in junk food and binge-watching movies. Her quarantine eventually lifted, she makes her way to a glamorous party, where she reunites with old friends and foes alike. Castmate Howie Frangopolous (Guz Khan) greets Carol warmly, and even extends an olive branch to Gunther. Lauren Van Chance (Leslie Mann), another series regular, initially harbors some resentment towards Carol’s return, but the two eventually make amends.

The cast is further complicated by the presence of Dieter Bravo (Pedro Pascal), a veteran actor struggling with secrets addiction to sex and drugs, who attempts to charm hotel employee Anika (Maria Bakalova). The studio has also brought in social media sensation Krystal Kris (Iris Apatow) to tap into the younger demographic. Carla (Galen Hopper), the production assistant, sees an opportunity to form an alliance with Krystal, while Sean Knox (Keegan Michael-Key), another mainstay of the series, views her as a rival.

At the helm of this behemoth is indie director Darren Eigan (Fred Armisen), who faces pressure from studio head Paula (Kate McKinnon) to deliver a film that will please everyone involved. As the cameras roll and the drama unfolds, it becomes clear that this production is full of surprises, complexities, and more than a few hidden agendas.

As the film’s production enters a new phase, the cast and crew delve into the intricacies of action sequences, with Krystal (character not specified) leading an impromptu TikTok dance party that brings together the entire team, including hotel staff. Amidst this festive atmosphere, tensions simmer beneath the surface as Dustin (character not specified) voices his creative concerns to Darren (character not specified), highlighting the importance of script refinement.

However, the euphoria is short-lived, as Gavin (character not specified) delivers a somber announcement: a positive COVID test has been detected within the crew, forcing everyone back into quarantine. The sudden halt in production sends shockwaves through the group, leaving some members to unravel in their hotel rooms.

In this climate of uncertainty and confinement, unexpected connections begin to form. Krystal and Carla (character not specified) forge a genuine bond, while Lauren (character not specified) and Dustin ignite a passionate spark that burns bright when the cameras aren’t rolling. Meanwhile, Carol (character not specified) finds herself drawn to Zaki (Raphael Acloque), an athlete who has joined the cast, though she struggles to maintain her loyalty to Josh.

As Howie reaches his breaking point, he storms off the set, declaring his departure from the project and prompting a heated reaction from the rest of the cast. His character’s fate is sealed, as his exit is written out of the film in a poignant, unseen moment.

Two months into production, the cast is fitted with trackers, allowing the studio to monitor their movements at all times. Following another shooting session, Carol receives devastating news: Josh has started a romantic relationship with a waitress, despite their children remaining under her care. This revelation sparks a chain reaction, as she finds solace in Zaki’s company.

As Dieter becomes increasingly disenchanted with reality, he embarks on an acid-fueled adventure that culminates in a surreal encounter with the AI-powered Kate (Daisy Ridley) in his workout equipment. Meanwhile, Carol’s health begins to decline, and after a series of tests, Gavin confirms that the cast has tested negative for COVID, but some members have contracted the flu.

The production continues, marked by another intense shooting session where Lauren’s character experiences a dizzying spell followed by violent vomiting, accompanied by Carol and Dustin. As the cast navigates this chaotic environment, Gavin engages in a tense conversation with Paula (character not specified), who warns him that they are operating well behind schedule.

As tensions simmer beneath the surface, Carol seizes the opportunity to rally the cast and persuade them to abandon the production due to the catastrophic circumstances. However, her pleas fall on deaf ears as her colleagues remain resolute in their determination to push forward with filming. The higher-ups catch wind of this impasse and respond by scaling back Carol’s role, depriving her of a pivotal scene featuring a baby dinosaur – a moment that is instead usurped by Krystal (and transformed into an ill-advised TikTok dance). Moreover, Carol’s most dramatic moment becomes a mortifying spectacle, as she soils herself in terror at the sight of a prehistoric creature.

Meanwhile, Lauren and Dustin’s disagreements over their adopted son escalate into a full-blown argument, ultimately culminating in Lauren setting Dustin’s laptop ablaze. As flames engulf the device, Lauren flees the hotel, only to be confronted by Gavin’s hired security detail – a group of heavily armed guards who mistake her frantic behavior for that of a crazed fan attempting to breach the premises. In the ensuing chaos, one guard fires, causing Lauren to suffer the loss of several fingers on her left hand. Efforts to downplay the incident as a misunderstanding only serve to further exacerbate the situation, prompting Gavin to confer with Paula and Tom (John Lithgow), the studio chairman, regarding how best to salvage the production.

As the cast’s morale continues to plummet, Carol becomes increasingly disheartened by the erosion of her role. Sean suffers an injury during a botched stunt, while Lauren is replaced by another actor clad in a green suit, his face digitally composited with Lauren’s CGI’d visage. In a desperate bid to lift everyone’s spirits, Paula arranges for musician Beck to create music for the film. The cast and crew are later summoned for an interview, where Darren casually drops the bombshell that the studio has already given the go-ahead for “Cliff Beasts 7”, prompting Carol to reach her breaking point – insisting she will not acquiesce to any of this.

Undeterred, Carol attempts to enlist Krystal’s aid in posting a viral video, intended to raise awareness about the dire conditions and potentially prompt intervention. Unfortunately, Carla convinces Krystal that such an effort would only serve to portray them as insufferable divas, prompting Krystal to delete the video. However, her own troubles soon unfold as a compromising video of her partying and flaunting her COVID-exposed body goes viral – resulting in the precipitous loss of millions of followers.

As the cast’s revelry reaches a fever pitch, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur. In a surreal sequence, Gunther becomes an unlikely doppelganger for Benedict Cumberbatch in the eyes of his colleagues, who then proceed to create another viral TikTok sensation on Krystal’s page. Meanwhile, Dieter’s exuberance knows no bounds, but it ultimately takes a dire turn when he succumbs to an overdose. Thankfully, Anika springs into action, administering a much-needed adrenaline shot to revive her stricken friend.

This harrowing experience serves as a catalyst for Carol, who rallies the group with a heartfelt plea to look out for one another and support each other in their bid for escape from the beleaguered set. With renewed determination, the cast members begin to make their own exit, with Carol pursued by James McAvoy, Sean facing off against security personnel, and Krystal grappling with Carla’s treachery – a revelation that her friend was hired specifically to ensure the film’s completion.

As our heroes navigate their individual escape routes, Dieter and Dustin join forces, while Darren attempts to put the kibosh on their plans, only to find himself engaged in a laughable struggle with Dustin. The trio eventually finds refuge aboard Anika’s chopper, leaving Gavin and Darren to ponder the long-term consequences of their actions for their careers.

Fast-forward to the premiere of “Beasts of the Bubble,” a documentary that chronicles the film’s chaotic production. Lauren has undergone a remarkable transformation, sporting a state-of-the-art robotic hand, while Dieter finds love with Anika and solidifies his relationship with Kate, the artificial intelligence from the workout machine, serving as their unconventional third partner.