About Bad Taste
Peter Jackson's feature film debut, 'Bad Taste' (1987), is a landmark of DIY filmmaking and cult cinema. This New Zealand horror-comedy follows a team of government agents, the Astro Investigation and Defence Service, as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of an entire small town's population. They discover the horrifying truth: alien invaders have taken over, harvesting human flesh to supply their intergalactic fast-food chain. What ensues is a chaotic, blood-soaked, and absurdly funny battle for survival.
The film is a masterclass in resourcefulness, famously shot on weekends over four years with Jackson and his friends handling nearly every role both in front of and behind the camera. The performances are gleefully over-the-top, matching the film's tone of enthusiastic mayhem. Jackson's direction is raw but inventive, showcasing the early visual flair and dark humor that would later define his career in films like 'Braindead' and 'The Lord of the Rings'.
'Bad Taste' is essential viewing for fans of genre cinema and film history. Its charm lies in its sheer audacity and homemade spirit, turning obvious limitations into comedic strengths with outrageous gore effects and a relentlessly energetic pace. Watch it to experience the anarchic beginnings of a cinematic legend and for a uniquely hilarious, splatter-filled ride that celebrates the joy of filmmaking against all odds.
The film is a masterclass in resourcefulness, famously shot on weekends over four years with Jackson and his friends handling nearly every role both in front of and behind the camera. The performances are gleefully over-the-top, matching the film's tone of enthusiastic mayhem. Jackson's direction is raw but inventive, showcasing the early visual flair and dark humor that would later define his career in films like 'Braindead' and 'The Lord of the Rings'.
'Bad Taste' is essential viewing for fans of genre cinema and film history. Its charm lies in its sheer audacity and homemade spirit, turning obvious limitations into comedic strengths with outrageous gore effects and a relentlessly energetic pace. Watch it to experience the anarchic beginnings of a cinematic legend and for a uniquely hilarious, splatter-filled ride that celebrates the joy of filmmaking against all odds.


















