Bad Trip 2021

This unconventional film employs a hidden camera style that captures its actors as they unwittingly become entwined in a wild cinematic narrative, reminiscent of Borat. The adventure kicks off in West Grove, Florida, where Chris Carey (Eric André), a car wash attendant, is infatuated with Maria Li (Michaela Conlin). Just as he musters up the courage to approach her, an unexpected mishap occurs— the carpet vacuum at the car wash suddenly snatches away Chris’ clothes, leaving him utterly embarrassed and unable to seize the moment with Maria.

Meanwhile, Chris’ best friend Bud Malone (Lil Rel Howery) is plodding through his own misadventures at a cell phone repair shop. His wildly eccentric sister Trina (Tiffany Haddish), who borders on chaotic, pulls off a brazen heist in broad daylight, stealing a flashy pink car known as the “Bad Bitch.” Bud, too intimidated by his sister’s antics, seethes in frustration as she speeds off.

Fast forward a year later, and Chris is still stuck in a mundane rut, now working at a juice bar. When Maria unexpectedly walks in, Chris seizes the chance to ask her out for coffee. However, he misreads her polite refusal—she’s set to return to New York City, where she owns an art gallery—as an invitation for romance. In a moment of distraction, Chris inadvertently shoves his hand into a blender, resulting in a shocking and graphic incident that leaves customers horrified.

Chris’ unrequited love for Maria inspires two elaborate musical numbers—one in a public park and another in a lively mall—where bemused onlookers bear witness to Chris’ heartfelt, if misguided, declarations. Getting inspired by Chris’ exaggerated antics, Bud reluctantly agrees to embark on a spontaneous road trip to New York City to find Maria. They commandeer Trina’s prized “Bad Bitch,” but their joyride is interrupted when Trina escapes her confinement, determined to hunt down her brother and Chris for their thievery.

As chaos reigns, their trip takes a disastrous turn when Chris accidentally breaks a gas pump at a gas station in Georgia, covering himself in gasoline. During their journey, conversations take a humorous turn as Bud reminisces about his fondness for White Chicks, featuring the Wayans brothers in drag. Their chatter is hilariously interrupted by the sight of Trina commandeering a police car, chasing them down the highway to the laughter of amazed bystanders.

Stopping at a rustic country-western bar, Chris drinks heavily, urges Bud to finally approach Maria, and unwittingly stages an amusing rooftop toast that ends with him crashing down in a heap of debris, only to cruelly regurgitate fake vomit on bewildered patrons below. Chris’s imagination continues to roam free as they cross state lines; one daydream features him crashing a meeting at Maria’s gallery, sharing a passionate kiss with a priest at their imagined wedding.

In a misguided moment, Chris sneaks into a zoo, aiming for a selfie with a performer in a gorilla suit, leading to shocking misunderstandings as the “gorilla” makes unwanted advances. Following that, he and Bud unwittingly consume what they believe to be mints while riding in Trina’s car, triggering a bizarre shopping spree filled with odd antics at a grocery store.

Meanwhile, Trina engages in hilarious exchanges with random bystanders who mistakenly consider her old acquaintances of Chris and Bud. When Chris and Bud snap back to reality, they find themselves stark naked on a golf course, hilariously trapped by a Chinese Finger Trap while pleading with onlookers for help. Their frantic escapades take them to a nearby Chinese restaurant, drawing a crowd as they manage to escape their predicament in an equally comedic display.

In Virginia, the duo takes refuge in a diner where sage advice on love is bestowed by an elderly waitress. Their adventure continues through various states, where unexpected events lead to comedic chaos: in Maryland, Trina posts flyers for Chris and Bud, vowing revenge; while in Pennsylvania, poor Bud is beset by a sudden bout of diarrhea.

As their misadventures unfold, they confront Trina at a bar only to be met with mocking laughter from patrons. In an explosive argument, Bud opts to return to Florida while Chris is determined to seek Maria in New York. Their heated exchange results in a wild vehicle accident, leaving them in disbelief and prompting Chris to seek out the military, hoping for guidance amidst a crowd of onlookers.

Reunited once more, Chris and Bud finally arrive in New York City, leading Chris to Maria’s art gallery. After managing to charm his way inside with the help of the security guard, he professes his feelings to Maria, who, despite being charmed, rebuffs him, citing a lack of meaningful connection. Just then, Trina crashes into the scene, her madcap driving demolishing priceless artwork, setting off a chain reaction of chaos that unnerves all attendees.

The dramatic showdown takes to the rooftop, where Trina confronts Chris with fury as the crowd below pleads for mercy. In a crucial moment, Bud returns to save Chris, leading to a sibling confrontation that transforms their rivalry into a newfound respect. With dramatic flair, Trina escalates the conflict, only for Chris to make a heartfelt apology—a moment met with Maria’s continuing skepticism.

In a twist of fate, the duo dons disguises to attend a high-society gathering, where they engage with elite guests. The night culminates with high-energy dancing to DMX’s “Up in Here,” as Trina serves as DJ, further adding to the evening’s amusement. As the film draws to a close, a series of outtakes reveal the amusing reactions of onlookers to the outrageous happenings, successfully flipping their expectations and enhancing the film’s comedic essence.