Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) Plot Summary & Timeline

In the mystical mountains of the Himalayas, Ace Ventura, portrayed by Jim Carrey, finds himself consumed by sorrow after a disastrous rescue mission results in the unfortunate death of a raccoon. Seeking peace and spiritual healing, he retreats to a Tibetan monastery. However, his reprieve is short-lived when Fulton Greenwall, played by the illustrious Sir Ian McKellen, a seasoned British correspondent from the Bonai Province consulate in the fictional African nation of Nibia, tracks him down. Recognizing Ace’s exceptional talents, the Grand Abbot gives him the go-ahead toleave, directing him to assist Greenwall.

Their adventure to Africa is filled with Ace’s unique antics, from imitating animal calls to his wild driving, which leaves Greenwall anxiously clenching the car’s interior. He warns Ace about the unpredictable temperament of Eastern lowland gorillas during mating season—a notably tense period. Their mission is clear: to recover the Great White bat Shikaka, a creature held sacred to the Wachati tribe and lost shortly after being offered as part of a dowry for the impending marriage of the Wachati Princess to the Wachootoo Prince.

Upon arriving in Nibia, Ace meets Consul Vincent Cadby, played by Hugh Laurie, and dives headfirst into the investigation surrounding the bat’s disappearance. Despite his determination, Ace grapples with his deep-seated phobia of bats. Joined by his loyal capuchin monkey companion Spike, he navigates the mystery while forming a connection with the alluring Wachati Princess, who entices him with her charms. Yet, Ace remains true to his promise of clerical celibacy.

As he maneuvers through the intricate dynamics of alliances and conflicts between the Wachati and Wachootoo tribes, Ace develops an unexpected friendship with Prince Ouda, embodied by Michael B. Jordan, who aids him in his quest. He interrogates various suspects, from animal traders and poachers to a safari park owner, all while dealing with rising tensions between the tribes.

A harrowing encounter with the Wachootoo’s medicine-man, played by Tom Hiddleston, leaves Ace suspicious after he is incapacitated by tranquilizer-laced blow-darts. Alongside Ouda, he undertakes a secret mission to infiltrate the Wachootoo village. There, they are sadly mistaken for the fabled “White Devil” and captured. After enduring a grueling series of trials designed to test their loyalty, Ace ingeniously maneuvers through each challenge, ultimately culminating in a thrilling “Circle of Death” duel with the tribe’s fiercest warrior.

Despite facing a formidable opponent, Ace’s unorthodox methods and sheer perseverance earn him the trust and freedom of the Wachootoo tribe. The situation escalates when the Chief of the Wachootoo issues a grim ultimatum: if Shikaka is not returned soon, they will launch a devastating war against the Wachati, making Ace their primary target. As a final jab, the Chief humorously shoots a non-lethal blow-dart at Ace, lifting the tribe’s spirits and prompting Ouda to accompany him back. Upon investigation, Ace realizes that the darts—previously used against him—were different, leading him to suspect the Wachootoo may not be the culprits behind Shikaka’s disappearance after all.

This revelation leads Ace to two Australian poachers who possess the bat. Using his talent for mimicry, he distracts them with a Silverback mating call, but the scheme backfires, landing him in peril as the poachers tie him to a raft and send him over a treacherous waterfall. Surviving this brush with death, Ace delves deeper into the intrigue surrounding the tribal conflict, discovering that the poachers are mere pawns in a greater plot conceived by Cadby, who aims to exploit the chaos for his gain.

As danger escalates, Ace reaches out to the wise Grand Abbot through an astral projection, seeking clarity. Through the Abbot’s wisdom, he understands the truth: Cadby has been manipulating both tribes into mutual destruction to seize lucrative bat caves filled with valuable guano.

Confronting Cadby reveals the shocking truth—Ace had been hired as a decoy to draw attention away from Cadby’s nefarious plans. When the tribal security chief Hitu captures him, Ace seizes the moment to escape with the help of unexpected allies, including an elephant rallying a charge of jungle animals against Cadby’s base.

Enraged, Cadby retaliates, attempting to eliminate Ace, but finds himself thwarted by Greenwall, landing a punch that saves the day. The tension heightens as Cadby motors away in his Land Rover, only for Ace to chase him in a trusty monster truck. The climax unfolds as Ace skillfully outmaneuvers him, placing the bat’s cage deep within a towering tree.

Amidst rising chaos, Ace performs a remarkable act of bravery, catching the fluttering bat with his bare hands and restoring it to its rightful home, averting a catastrophic clash between the warring tribes. The impact of his selflessness doesn’t go unnoticed by Cadby, who watches from a distance, ultimately getting labeled as the “White Devil” by Ouda, giving Ace a timely chance to escape. Cadby’s escape merely sets the stage for a string of bizarre events as he is unwittingly courted by an amorous Silverback gorilla, while the Wachati Princess ties the knot with her tiny warrior husband—the very one who had bested Ace in the “Circle of Death.” The revelation of the bride’s lack of purity due to Ace’s earlier misadventures appears to have little effect, as both tribes, now united, embark on a quest to capture the elusive outsider, marking a pivotal moment in their rocky history.