The Pest (1997)
John Leguizamo goes full throttle as a Miami con artist who agrees to be hunted on a remote island to escape his debts.
The Pest - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Pest
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Paul Miller
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Comedy
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 22m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 7, 1997 (Germany - 12), February 7, 1997 (United States - PG-13), February 7, 1997 (United Kingdom - 12)
- Alternative Titles: O Peste (BR), Un tío llamado Peste (ES)
- Production Companies: The Bubble Factory, TriStar Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Pest - Plot
Fast-talking Latino con artist Pestario "Pest" Vargas is the target of Scottish mobsters to whom he owes a considerable debt. Willing to do anything to raise money and avoid severe injury or death, Vargas agrees to a very unusual job -- he will be transported to a remote island and hunted by Gustav Shank, a racist German executive. If he can survive a full day and night, Vargas gets $50,000 and will be set free. Is he wily enough to elude Shank?
The Pest - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see if Pest has what it takes to survive:
What kind of freakazoid would let someone hunt him just to collect $50,000?...Next question.
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The Pest - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Paul Miller
Main Cast
- John Leguizamo
- Jeffrey Jones
- Edoardo Ballerini
- Freddy Rodríguez
- Tammy Townsend
- Aries Spears
- Joe Morton
- Charles Hallahan
- Tom McCleister
- Ivonne Coll
Writers
- John Leguizamo
- David Bar Katz
Producers
- Sid Sheinberg
- Bill Sheinberg
- Jonathan Sheinberg
The Pest - FAQs
What is The Pest (1997) about?
The Pest follows Pestario "Pest" Vargas, a fast-talking Latino con artist who owes money to Scottish mobsters. To clear his debt, he agrees to be hunted on a remote island by a racist German executive named Gustav Shank. If Pest survives a full day and night, he earns $50,000 and his freedom.
Where can you stream or watch The Pest?
The Pest is available to watch for free with ads on Tubi TV and YouTube Free. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most current availability in your region.
Is The Pest based on a true story?
No, The Pest is not based on a true story. It is a fictional comedy loosely inspired by the classic short story "The Most Dangerous Game" (1924) by Richard Connell, which popularized the concept of humans being hunted for sport on a remote island.
Who are the main actors in The Pest?
John Leguizamo leads the cast as Pest, with Jeffrey Jones as the villainous Gustav Shank. The supporting cast includes Edoardo Ballerini, Freddy Rodríguez, Tammy Townsend, Aries Spears, Joe Morton, Charles Hallahan, Tom McCleister, and Ivonne Coll.
Why did The Pest fail at the box office?
The Pest was a significant commercial disappointment, earning roughly $3.6 million against a $17 million production budget. Critics widely panned the film for its reliance on crude stereotypes and frantic, exhausting humor. It holds a very low approval rating and is often cited among the weakest comedies of the 1990s.
What is the age rating for The Pest?
The Pest is rated PG-13 in the United States, indicating it may contain material unsuitable for children under 13. It carries a 12 certificate in both Germany and the United Kingdom. The film includes crude humor, comic violence, and racially charged comedy.
How long is The Pest?
The Pest has a runtime of 82 minutes (1 hour and 22 minutes), making it a relatively short feature film. Its brisk running time reflects its high-energy, sketch-comedy approach, keeping the frenetic pace of John Leguizamo's physical and improvisational performance moving quickly throughout.
What movies are similar to The Pest?
If you enjoyed The Pest, you may also like The Most Dangerous Game (1932), the original human-hunting thriller that inspired it, as well as Battle Royale (2000), Six Days Seven Nights (1998), and The Bounty (1984). These films share themes of survival, remote island settings, or high-energy action-comedy.
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