Meet the Hollowheads 1989

In a world that feels like a maze of pipes, tubes, and dim corridors, there is a mysterious “edge” that threatens misbehaving children. The Hollowhead family lives in a bright, surreal home filled with unusual appliances and foods, a setting that feels oddly cheerful yet oppressive at the same time.

Henry Hollowhead John Glover informs his wife that his new boss, Mr. Crabneck Richard Portnow, will be joining them for dinner. Henry hopes this dinner will be his big chance to snag a promotion at United Umbilical, turning the meal into a test of loyalty and ambition that might finally elevate him at work.

In the family’s bedroom chaos, Billy Hollowhead Matt Shakman and his best friend, Joey Joshua John Miller, are wreaking havoc with Billy’s splat-spray game, using the family pet’s parasites as ammunition. Upstairs, the older sister Cindy Hollowhead Juliette Lewis is buzzing about an upcoming party, while Bud Hollowhead Lightfield Lewis is testing out his electro-chicken-accordion, which he plans to perform at the same gathering.

The adults arrive just as Cindy heads out, and Mr. Crabneck quickly reveals a predatory edge. Dinner moves from light chatter about work to a murkier debate on rationalism, finally circling back to Henry’s hoped-for promotion. The lonely boss confides that the only path to advancement lies with Miriam, and with her willingness to ease his loneliness. Unable to restrain himself any longer, Mr. Crabneck attacks Miriam, but she fights back with help from Billy, and Henry eventually joins in. The three of them overpower the intruder and seize him.

The party is interrupted by a raid from the police, who arrive as guests had tapped into a highly restricted tube. Cindy is taken into custody after the chaotic scene leaves her in a state of intoxication from two pounds of softening cream. The disruption reels through the Hollowhead household as Bud returns after being booed out of the party for his songs, while the captured celebrity visitor lies unconscious in the kitchen.

Mr. Crabneck regains consciousness and then dies at the sight of Cindy’s inebriated state. Rather than discarding him over the edge, the family consigns the body to a regeneration chamber, revives him, and places him in the basement alongside Grandpa, whom they are secretly keeping alive despite the law.

With the problem solved, the promotion secured, and the “pervert” removed, the Hollowhead clan reaffirms their bond. In a closing, almost macabre toast to family, they remind themselves that “the family that slays together, stays together.”