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Comedy

Bad Trip (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Bad Trip (2021) movie poster

Bad Trip is a 2021 comedy directed by Kitao Sakurai, starring Eric André as Chris Carey, Michaela Conlin and Tiffany Haddish. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
Echo Score
75
Metascore
61
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Bad Trip (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Kitao Sakurai
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Bad Trip About?

The premise of Bad Trip without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Two friends embark on a road trip, documenting their chaotic adventures with hidden cameras. Their outrageous antics and unexpected encounters with strangers lead to hilarious and increasingly wild situations, creating a whirlwind of laughter and memorable moments along the way.

Bad Trip Themes & Keywords

· 45 tags
  • buddy comedy
  • road movie
  • stuck in a rut
  • crazy sister
  • hidden camera show
  • scripted reality
  • raped by a gorilla
  • male rape played for laughs
  • prank show
  • bestiality rape
  • escaped female convict
  • female psychopath
+33 more
  • stolen police car
  • enraged woman
  • escape from prison
  • african american protagonist
  • racist humor
  • animal rapes a man
  • african american
  • two word title
  • car
  • crash
  • trip
  • road trip
  • u.s. car
  • ford
  • ford motor vehicle
  • ford car
  • ford crown victoria
  • dodge motor vehicle
  • dodge charger
  • raped by an animal
  • 2020s
  • 21st century
  • cringe comedy
  • road trip comedy
  • car crash
  • car accident
  • exploding car
  • dark comedy
  • reference to pubic hair
  • whiteface
  • chinese finger trap
  • cross dressing
  • road trip adventure
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Cast & crew

Bad Trip Cast & Characters

Eric André leads the cast as Chris Carey, with Michaela Conlin as Maria Li and Tiffany Haddish as Trina Malone. Directed by Kitao Sakurai; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Kitao Sakurai

More films directed by Kitao Sakurai: The Passage and The Eric Andre New Year’s Eve Spooktacular.

Full filmography
Ratings

Bad Trip Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bad Trip 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

Bad Trip Echo Score Breakdown

Bad Trip succeeds primarily as an entertaining hidden-camera comedy that balances irreverent humor with an unexpectedly warm perspective on human kindness. Most reviews highlight its effective prank setups and the chemistry among Eric André, Lil Rel Howery, and Tiffany Haddish, even as some note that the narrative framework feels thin and occasionally forced. The film’s brisk 84-minute runtime keeps momentum high despite a basic plot. Overall, Bad Trip offers a consistently amusing experience with just enough heart to leave a positive impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, Bad Trip demonstrates competent editing and practical staging with clear camera setups for hidden-camera moments. The production design remains straightforward but serviceable, relying on real locations to heighten authenticity. While the cinematography is functional rather than stylized, the editing maintains a brisk pace. Overall, the film’s technical execution efficiently supports its comedic conceit without drawing undue attention to itself.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from the energetic performances of Eric André, Lil Rel Howery, and Tiffany Haddish. Their improvisational chemistry fuels many of the funniest scenes, and the principal trio’s likability carries the audience through each setup. Even the unscripted reactions of bystanders contribute to an undercurrent of goodwill. In sum, the cast’s commitment elevates the emotional core beyond mere prank fodder.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, Bad Trip adheres to a simple road-trip structure that occasionally feels thin and contrived. Critics note a threadbare narrative framework as the pranks are strung together, resulting in uneven pacing between gag sequences. However, the surprising human moments and optimistic worldview help maintain engagement. On balance, the plot functions primarily as a vehicle for comedy rather than a deeply developed journey.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    From a sensory standpoint, Bad Trip offers a raw visual style rooted in hidden-camera realism rather than polished cinematography. The sound design effectively captures both dialogue and spontaneous crowd reactions, and the occasional musical cue underscores comedic payoffs. The gross-out humor and abrupt tonal shifts can feel jarring but align with the film’s irreverent tone. Overall, the sensory elements serve the prank-driven narrative without distraction.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s strongest pranks deliver genuine laughs on first viewing and retain some amusement when revisited. Viewers may appreciate the clever setups and unscripted crowd responses, though the novelty of each prank can diminish with repeat exposure. The film’s short runtime and energetic performances invite group viewings, sustaining appeal in social settings. Ultimately, Bad Trip offers modest replay value as a lighthearted comedy.

Plot

Bad Trip Plot Summary

What happens in Bad Trip from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

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.

Full summary

The whole story of Bad Trip, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Bad Trip Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

BAD TRIP Official Trailer (Redband) (2020)
  • Trailer Bad Trip | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Bad Trip?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  3. Question 3: not answered
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  5. Question 5: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character that has a crush on Maria?

Cars

Cars in Bad Trip

48 cars on screen, including the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria and the 2006 Dodge Charger.

All 48 cars
  • 1998 Ford Crown Victoria in Bad Trip 1998 Ford Crown Victoria Main role
  • 2006 Dodge Charger in Bad Trip 2006 Dodge Charger Important role
  • 1990 Blue Bird TC 2000 in Bad Trip 1990 Blue Bird TC 2000 Minor role
  • 2008 BMW 5 E60 in Bad Trip 2008 BMW 5 E60 Minor role

Seen Bad Trip?

FAQ

Bad Trip FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Bad Trip, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bad Trip?

Bad Trip runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Bad Trip released?

Bad Trip was released on March 26, 2021.

Who directed Bad Trip?

Bad Trip was directed by Kitao Sakurai.

More films by Kitao Sakurai

Who is in the cast of Bad Trip?

Bad Trip stars Eric André as Chris Carey, Michaela Conlin as Maria Li and Tiffany Haddish as Trina Malone, among 20 credited actors.

How is Bad Trip rated?

Bad Trip has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Bad Trip have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Bad Trip has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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