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Bad Taste

Name: Bad Taste
Director: Peter Jackson
Released: 1987
Duration: 91 min

Representation Score

2.8/10

Limited

1987

Director

Peter Jackson

Runtime

91 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Bad Taste is a film that prioritizes visceral, grotesque physical comedy over structured sociopolitical commentary. It operates within a nihilistic, absurdist framework where traditional social hierarchies are rendered irrelevant by biological chaos. The film lacks intentional representation of multiple aspects of identity, resulting in a narrow demographic focus. While it deconstructs traditional heroic archetypes through absurdist violence, these disruptions are driven by comedic impulses rather than systemic intent. Ultimately, the film's commitment to an anti-authoritarian atmosphere provides a unique departure from conventional cinema, even if it fails to include diverse identity-based narratives.

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Category Breakdown

Does Bad Taste have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any LGBTQ+ characters or storylines that go beyond the assumption that everyone is straight. The plot focuses solely on surviving alien threats and physical survival.

How does Bad Taste portray gender?

Limited

The cast is mainly male, with gender roles being secondary to the survival horror theme. Female characters have limited roles and do not play a significant part in driving the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Bad Taste?

Limited

The film features a largely homogenous group of characters set in a specific New Zealand location. There is no indication of diverse casting or racial blending.

How does Bad Taste represent religion and culture?

Fair

The movie critiques consumerism through the antagonist, Crumb's Crunchy Delights, replacing moral virtues with survivalism and anti-institutional sentiment.

Does Bad Taste include disability representation?

Minimal

Physical mutilation and body horror are used for shock and comedic effect rather than meaningful representation. These transformations serve the genre's aesthetic goals rather than giving characters real power.

Present on Screen

The film challenges traditional heroic archetypes through its nihilistic and absurdist framework.
It provides a unique critique of consumerist expansionism through its intergalactic fast-food antagonists.
The story embraces an anti-institutional sentiment by depicting social structures as ineffective or non-existent.

Limited or Absent

Female characters lack meaningful roles or ability to act in the narrative.
There is a noticeable absence of diverse casting or racial blending among the main characters.
The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or storylines that go beyond the assumption that everyone is straight.

Official Synopsis

A team from the intergalactic fast food chain Crumb's Crunchy Delights descends on Earth, planning to make human flesh the newest taste sensation. After they wipe out the New Zealand town Kaihoro, the country’s Astro-Investigation and Defense Service (AIaDS) is called in to deal with the problem. Things are complicated due to Giles, an aid worker who comes to Kaihoro the same day to collect change from the residents. He is captured by the aliens, and AIaDS stages a rescue mission that quickly becomes an all-out assault on the aliens’ headquarters.

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