Bad Taste (1987)
Peter Jackson's gloriously unhinged debut — a splatter comedy where aliens harvest humans for an intergalactic fast food chain.
Bad Taste - Movie Information
- Original Title: Bad Taste
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Peter Jackson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 1, 1987 (New Zealand - 18), June 21, 1989 (United States - NR), July 31, 1991 (Canada), November 16, 1990 (United Kingdom - 18), August 24, 1988 (France - 12), April 12, 1990 (Australia - R 18+), February 5, 1992 (Brazil - 18), October 26, 1989 (Italy - 14+), December 2, 1988 (Spain - 18), December 20, 1991 (South Korea - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Mal gusto (Bad Taste) (ES), Vesmírní kanibalové (CZ), Fuori di testa (IT), バッド・テイスト (JP), Поганий смак (UA), Trash - Náusea Total (BR)
- Production Companies: WingNut Films, New Zealand Film Commission
- Production Countries: New Zealand
Bad Taste - Plot
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.
Bad Taste - Trailer
See the chaos unfold in the official trailer for this cult splatter classic:
Watch out Aliens... here comes Derek!
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Bad Taste - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Peter Jackson
Main Cast
- Terry Potter
- Pete O'Herne
- Craig Smith
- Mike Minett
- Peter Jackson
- Doug Wren
- Peter Vere-Jones
- Ken Hammon
- Robin Griggs
- Michael Gooch
Writers
- Peter Jackson
Producers
- Peter Jackson
Bad Taste - FAQs
Did Peter Jackson act in Bad Taste himself?
Yes — Peter Jackson pulled double duty, both directing and starring in the film. He plays two characters: Derek, the unhinged AIaDS agent who becomes the film's wild hero, and Robert, one of the alien invaders. It's a remarkable feat given he also handled cinematography and editing.
How was Bad Taste made on such a tiny budget?
Bad Taste was shot over four years on weekends with a budget of roughly $150,000 NZD, mostly funded by the New Zealand Film Commission. Jackson and his friends built the props, made the costumes, and created all the gore effects themselves — a testament to sheer DIY determination and creative ingenuity.
What is Bad Taste about?
An alien fast food corporation targets a sleepy New Zealand town, planning to harvest humans as their newest menu item. A scrappy government squad called AIaDS is sent in to stop them, but things spiral into gloriously chaotic carnage. It's a splatter comedy that revels in absurdist gore and anarchic humor.
Is Bad Taste the film that launched Peter Jackson's career?
Absolutely. Bad Taste was Jackson's feature debut and the film that put him on the map internationally. Its success at genre festivals opened doors to Meet the Feebles and Braindead, eventually leading to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It remains a fascinating origin story for one of cinema's most celebrated directors.
Who are the main actors in Bad Taste?
The cast is largely made up of Jackson's friends and collaborators, including Terry Potter, Pete O'Herne, Craig Smith, Mike Minett, and Peter Jackson himself. Doug Wren and Peter Vere-Jones (who provided the Alien Leader's voice) round out the key roles in this gloriously low-budget ensemble.
Where can you stream Bad Taste right now?
You can watch Bad Taste on several platforms, including History Vault, IndieFlix, Plex, FlixHouse, and Darkroom for free. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video. A solid range of options whether you want to pay or stream it at no cost.
What is the age rating for Bad Taste?
In the United States, Bad Taste is rated NR (Not Rated). Internationally it carries stricter ratings — an 18 certificate in New Zealand and the UK, R 18+ in Australia, and 18 in Brazil and Spain. The heavy gore and graphic content make it strictly adult viewing regardless of territory.
What movies are similar to Bad Taste?
If Bad Taste is your kind of film, Jackson's own follow-ups — Meet the Feebles and Braindead — are essential viewing. Beyond that, The Descent, The Crow, and Revenge offer different flavors of genre mayhem. For pure splatter comedy in the same spirit, Braindead is the most direct companion piece.
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