Weekend at Bernie's II

Weekend at Bernie's II 1993

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Weekend at Bernie's II (1993). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


As Larry Wilson (Steve James) and Richard Parker (Andrew McCarthy) entered the dimly lit morgue in Manhattan, the air was thick with a somber ambiance, highlighted only by the faint stench of formaldehyde. Their gazes fell upon the lifeless body of Bernie Lomax, their CEO, who lay cold and still on a metal slab. In a reckless decision, Larry spun an elaborate tale, asserting that Bernie was his long-lost uncle, driven by the desperate desire to claim the executive’s valuable assets, including his coveted credit card. With Richard reluctantly on board, they managed to venture into the realm of the insurance company, where they faced intense scrutiny from their boss and the determined investigator, Arthur Hummel (Barry Bostwick). The tension was palpable as Larry and Richard both denied any knowledge of Bernie’s alleged embezzlement of $2 million, but their boss remained unconvinced, promptly firing them and designating Hummel to shadow them for two weeks with orders to uncover their guilt.

As night enveloped the city, Larry treated Richard to an extravagant dinner, funded by Bernie’s illicit gains. Between bites of gourmet food, Larry shared the news of discovering a key to a safety deposit box in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and urged Richard to use the company’s computer to dig into Bernie’s financial records. Initially hesitant, Richard eventually succumbed to Larry’s relentless push.

Meanwhile, on St. Thomas, a mysterious voodoo queen named Mobu stood poised as ruthless mobsters hired her to track down the elusive $2 million. Her sinister plot included resurrecting Bernie’s corpse through ancient dark magic, dispatching her faithful servants, Henry and Charles, to New York with orders to reclaim Bernie’s body, perform the reanimation ritual, and guide him to the hidden treasure. However, their attempts at necromancy were marred by blunders and comedic mishaps.

Back in Manhattan, as Henry and Charles readied themselves for their dark ritual in a rundown adult cinema, they were forced to use a pigeon in place of the sacrificial chicken they had lost. This erroneous substitution led to a bizarre twist: Bernie’s revived body could only respond to sweet tunes. At the bustling 42nd Street–Grand Central subway station, they abandoned Bernie to chase a thief who had swiped their prized boombox.

Later that night, Larry and Richard stealthily infiltrated their office building, eager to unlock Bernie’s supposedly frozen account. To their shock, they discovered that only Bernie’s animated corpse had the means to access the funds. Soon, the pair found themselves in hot water with the authorities for breaking and entering. However, upon their release, they concocted a plan to capture Bernie, wrongly assuming he was still lifeless. They stuffed his animated body into a suitcase and transported it to the U.S. Virgin Islands, stashing him in a tiny refrigerator in their hotel room, oblivious to the mayhem that awaited them.

Unbeknownst to them, Hummel was covertly tailing the duo with the singular goal of retrieving the stolen cash. While Larry and Richard used their newfound companion Bernie to gain entry to his safety deposit box, they were met with disappointment—only a cryptic map awaited them, rather than the rich bounty they had hoped for. Concurrently, Larry formed a connection with Claudia, a local woman, impulsively handing her the very map that had thus far proven fruitless.

Their fleeting joy, however, came to a screeching halt as Henry and Charles captured them and brought them before the formidable Mobu. One of her henchmen ominously aimed a gun at Richard’s head while Claudia was coerced into ingesting a potent potion, admonishing that they must retrieve the map by sundown to secure an antidote.

The trio soon reunited to their astonishment as they witnessed Bernie moving independently. This shocking twist led them to believe he was unwittingly guiding them towards the long-sought $2 million. In a frantic bid to maintain his momentum, they affixed a Walkman with headphones to his lifeless head. As Bernie approached a submerged chest brimming with treasure, their excitement spiraled out of control, resulting in a disastrous speargun incident that destroyed the headphones.

In a desperate attempt to revive their undead associate, they tried to rescue Bernie from the chest; however, he clung tightly. The weight of the treasure proved too heavy, prompting them to attach Bernie to a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by soothing melodies. This unconventional strategy initially showed promise, but soon the carriage spiraled into chaos.

Following a series of nerve-wracking escapades, the carriage finally skidded to a halt at Mobu’s hideout. In a bizarre twist of fate, a chance encounter with a towering tree branch sent Bernie soaring through the air, knocking Mobu unconscious. The commotion led to Bernie releasing his grip on the chest, which burst open, sending its contents scattering across the ground. As Larry attempted to gather the spoils, he was apprehended by Hummel, who had become increasingly deranged in the presence of the animated Bernie.

With Mobu temporarily out of commission, Claudia’s father, a skilled physician, revealed that he had the means to cure Richard’s condition if he could acquire the blood of a virgin—a task Larry rushed to accomplish. The authorities subsequently rounded up the mobsters, clearing the path for Larry and Richard to reveal their true intentions.

In a mind-blowing revelation, it was disclosed that Bernie had swindled away $3 million instead of the rumored $2 million. With this crucial information at hand, Larry and Richard resolved to use some of the leftover cash to indulge in a luxurious yacht, manned by a stunning crew of women. Meanwhile, Bernie led Henry and Charles, now transformed into goats by the power of voodoo, through a vibrant Carnival parade, bringing their bizarre journey full circle.

Timeline

Track the key events of Weekend at Bernie's II (1993) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Discovery of Bernie's Body

Larry Wilson and Richard Parker enter a dimly lit morgue in Manhattan to find the lifeless body of their CEO, Bernie Lomax. The atmosphere is somber as they face the reality of Bernie's death and what it could mean for their future.

Manhattan

The Elaborate Lie

In a desperate attempt to secure Bernie's assets, Larry concocts an elaborate story claiming Bernie was his long-lost uncle. With Richard reluctantly agreeing to go along, they take significant risks as they venture into the world of insurance.

Insurance Company

Confrontation with Their Boss

Larry and Richard face scrutiny from their boss regarding Bernie’s alleged embezzlement of $2 million. After denying any involvement, they are fired on the spot, leading to a two-week investigation led by the determined investigator, Arthur Hummel.

Office

Dinner on Bernie’s Dime

That night, Larry treats Richard to an extravagant dinner funded by money stolen from Bernie. During the meal, Larry reveals he has found a key to a safety deposit box in St. Thomas, igniting a new plan to explore Bernie's financial dealings.

Restaurant

Mobster's Plot Unfolds

In St. Thomas, a voodoo queen named Mobu is hired by ruthless mobsters to track down the $2 million. She devises a plan to resurrect Bernie’s corpse using dark magic, sending her henchmen to New York to retrieve the body.

St. Thomas

Failed Necromancy

Henry and Charles, Mobu's servants, attempt to bring Bernie back to life but their effort is comedic and flawed. Using a pigeon instead of a chicken, they discover that Bernie's animated body responds only to music, adding to the hilarity of their mistakes.

Adult Cinema

Unplanned Chase at Grand Central

During a chaotic moment at the 42nd Street–Grand Central subway station, Henry and Charles abandon Bernie to chase a thief who has stolen their boombox. This comedic chase leads to unforeseen complications in their mission.

Grand Central Station

The Heist Attempt

Larry and Richard sneak into their office building to access Bernie's frozen assets. To their dismay, they discover that only Bernie's animated corpse can unlock the funds, leading them into deeper trouble with the authorities.

Office Building

Journey to the Virgin Islands

After thinking they've subdued Bernie, Larry and Richard decide to transport his body to the U.S. Virgin Islands. They stash Bernie in a refrigerator in their hotel room, naively believing their troubles are behind them.

Hotel in U.S. Virgin Islands

The Mysterious Map

Upon reaching the safety deposit box, Larry and Richard are disappointed to find only a cryptic map instead of the money they envisioned. Larry’s chance encounter with a local woman, Claudia, ends with him handing her the map, adding more twists to their plans.

Bank

Confrontation with Mobu

Larry, Richard, and Claudia are captured by Mobu and her henchmen. In a tense moment, Richard is held at gunpoint while Claudia faces a dire ultimatum involving a potion that may be their only chance at survival.

Mobu's Hideout

Bernie Comes to Life

To their astonishment, Larry and Richard witness Bernie move independently, leading them to believe he can help them find the $2 million. They attach a Walkman to his head, believing the music will guide him in their quest.

Treasure Discovery Mishap

As Bernie approaches a submerged chest believed to hold treasure, chaos ensues when a speargun incident results in him losing the headphones that seemingly controlled him. The group struggles to maintain their grip on their newfound fortune.

Final Escape and Arrest

Amidst a series of comedic and frantic events, Larry is apprehended by Hummel. With the mobsters rounded up and the chaos resolved, the group's misadventures lead to surprising revelations about the true nature of Bernie's dealings.

A Twist of Fortune

In a shocking ending, it is revealed that Bernie had embezzled $3 million instead of $2 million. Larry and Richard’s plans take a turn as they prepare to indulge in their newfound wealth, while Bernie leads Mobu's henchmen, transformed by magic, in a vibrant parade.

Carnival Parade

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Weekend at Bernie's II (1993) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Larry Wilson (Steve James)

Larry is portrayed as impulsive and reckless, often leading Richard into chaotic escapades. His desire to claim Bernie's assets drives much of the plot, showcasing a blend of humor and desperation in his character. Despite his flaws, his loyalty to Richard adds depth to his character's motivations.

😄 Comedic 💪 Impulsive 🤝 Loyal

Richard Parker (Andrew McCarthy)

Richard serves as the more cautious counterpart to Larry, initially hesitant to engage in their dubious schemes. His character evolves as he becomes embroiled in the absurdity of their adventures. The tension between his morality and Larry's greed creates a dynamic exploration of friendship.

🧘‍♂️ Cautious 🤔 Reluctant 🤝 Loyal

Arthur Hummel (Barry Bostwick)

Arthur is depicted as a determined investigator, intent on uncovering the truth behind Bernie’s suspicious activities. His relentless pursuit adds a layer of tension to the comedic chaos, showcasing the contrast between authority and the characters' misadventures.

🕵️‍♂️ Determined ⚖️ Authority 🎭 Serious

Mobu

Mobu is a compelling antagonist, portrayed as a mysterious voodoo queen with sinister motives. Her character represents the supernatural elements of the narrative, as her plot to reanimate Bernie showcases her connection to dark magic and the comedic mishaps that ensue.

🔮 Supernatural 😈 Malevolent 👑 Powerful

Setting

Uncover the settings of Weekend at Bernie's II (1993), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting the realities of the late 20th century. This time period was characterized by a blend of emerging technology and an increasing fascination with the supernatural, showcased humorously through the characters’ misadventures.

Location

Manhattan, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Manhattan serves as a vibrant urban setting known for its bustling streets and iconic skyline. The film contrasts this with the tropical landscape of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, famous for its beautiful beaches and rich Caribbean culture. Both locations play a crucial role in the characters' adventurous pursuit of treasure and the supernatural.

🏙️ City 🌴 Tropical

Themes

Explore the core themes of Weekend at Bernie's II (1993). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


💰

Greed

Greed drives the actions of the main characters as they pursue monetary gains at any cost. Larry and Richard's desperation to claim Bernie’s fortune leads them into a series of hilarious and reckless situations. Ultimately, their journey highlights the absurdities that can arise from avarice.

🪄

Supernatural

The involvement of dark magic and the resurrection of Bernie Lomax underscores the theme of the supernatural. The comedic attempts by Mobu to reanimate Bernie provide a fantastical element to the narrative, blending humor with the eerie world of voodoo.

😂

Comedy

The film epitomizes the comedy genre, characterized by outrageous scenarios and humorous blunders. Larry and Richard’s bumbling attempts to manage Bernie’s body and navigate their misfortunes create a lighthearted tone that makes for an entertaining watch.

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