Scripts
VERY BAD THINGS poster

1997

VERY BAD THINGS script

Stressed about his wedding, Keith Fisher attends a Las Vegas bachelor party where a stripper accidentally dies, leading him and his friends to dismember her and a witness. The cover-up unravels as Adam's guilt-induced breakdown results in his accidental death by his brother Michael, and Adam's wife, Lois, is murdered by Boyd after finding a confession note. Keith confesses to Liz, who, to protect their future, kills Boyd with a crucifix in the church basement on their wedding day. Keith and Moore dispose of Boyd's body, crashing their car in the desert, while Liz, now complicit, watches her family, having accepted their dark secret.

Writer
Peter Berg
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt0124198
Script date
September 2, 1997
58Scenes
9Characters
78Pages
8Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

VERY BAD THINGS Save the Cat analysis

A tight-knit group of friends embarks on a bachelor party trip that goes horrifically wrong when a stripper dies accidentally.

Open full beat sheet
75

Key characters

Keith Fisher

Keith Fisher is listed as Groom. Blondish, unassuming, pleasant, attentive, reactive. In the parsed data, Keith Fisher is connected to 53 scenes, 96 dialogue lines, 96 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

53 scenes / 96 dialogue lines

Charles Moore

Charles Moore is listed as Friend. Chef, quiet, mesmerizing focus. In the parsed data, Charles Moore is connected to 35 scenes, 39 dialogue lines, 39 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

35 scenes / 39 dialogue lines

David Boyd

David Boyd is listed as Friend. Realtor, 30-ish, bizarre sincerity, manipulative. In the parsed data, David Boyd is connected to 34 scenes, 100 dialogue lines, 101 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.

34 scenes / 100 dialogue lines

Michael Brenn

Michael Brenn is listed as Friend. Short, compact, severe personality disorder. In the parsed data, Michael Brenn is connected to 30 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 42 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.

30 scenes / 42 dialogue lines

Adam Brenn

Adam Brenn is listed as Friend. Michael's older brother, mid-30s, soft in the belly. In the parsed data, Adam Brenn is connected to 22 scenes, 60 dialogue lines, 60 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.

22 scenes / 60 dialogue lines

Liz Garrety

Liz Garrety is listed as Fiancee. Attractive, tense, organized, demanding. In the parsed data, Liz Garrety is connected to 20 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.

20 scenes / 27 dialogue lines

Lois Brenn

Lois Brenn is listed as Adam's wife. Aggressive, mired in domestic resentment. In the parsed data, Lois Brenn is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 6.

9 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Tina

Tina is listed as Stripper. Devastatingly sexy Asian woman. In the parsed data, Tina is connected to 6 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.

6 scenes / 7 dialogue lines

Ralph

Ralph is listed as Tina's client. Fairly unassuming man. In the parsed data, Ralph is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.

4 scenes / 2 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. INT. CAR - NIGHT

    Fisher and Moore drive in a car, looking exhausted and bloodied, reflecting on a past football game.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore
  2. 2. INT. LOS ANGELES CITY HALL - MARRIAGE LICENSE DEPT. - DAY

    Fisher and Liz wait in line for a marriage license and argue about wedding preparations.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  3. 3. EXT. SANTA MONICA - DAY

    David Boyd sets up a real estate sign and makes a phone call to arrange a stripper for the bachelor party.

    David Boyd, Tina
  4. 4. INT. KITCHEN - DAY

    Moore works in a busy kitchen while Fisher and Liz continue their argument in line.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, Liz Garrety
  5. 5. INT. MONEY MANAGEMENT FIRM - DAY

    Fisher discusses his stress with Michael Brenn at their office.

    Keith Fisher, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  6. 6. EXT. ADAM'S HOUSE - SANTA MONICA - DAY

    The group prepares to leave for the bachelor party while Lois takes photos.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, Liz Garrety, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  7. 7. INT. MINIVAN - DAY

    The men argue during the drive to Las Vegas while Fisher tries to handle wedding logistics.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  8. 8. EXT. RED ROCK NAT'L PARK - CANYON - MAGIC HOUR

    The group stops at a scenic overlook to drink and prepare for the night.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  9. 9. EXT. DESERT - DAY

    The group travels in a minivan through Death Valley.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  10. 10. EXT. RED ROCK NAT'L PARK - CANYON - MAGIC HOUR

    The group prepares for their bachelor party night with a toast.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  11. 11. INT. CASINO - NIGHT

    A montage of gambling and drinking, followed by a phone call between Fisher and Liz.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety, Michael Brenn
  12. 12. INT. FISHER'S SPLIT-LEVEL HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT

    The group parties, debates, and eventually hires a stripper.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn, Tina
  13. 13. INT. HOTEL SUITE / BATHROOM - NIGHT

    A tragic accident occurs in the bathroom, leading to a moral crisis.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn, Tina
  14. 14. INT. HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT

    Boyd convinces the group to dispose of the bodies of Tina and Ralph.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn, Tina
  15. 15. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT

    The group discovers the carnage and Boyd takes charge.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn, Tina
  16. 16. INT. WALMART - NIGHT

    The group buys cleaning supplies.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  17. 17. INT. HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT

    The group dismembers and packs the bodies.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn, Tina
  18. 18. EXT. DESERT - NIGHT

    The group buries the bodies after reassembling them.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  19. 19. INT. MINIVAN - DAY

    The group drives home.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  20. 20. EXT. CAR WASH - DAY

    The group cleans the van while Fisher calls Liz.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  21. 21. EXT. ADAM'S HOUSE - DAY

    The group arrives at Adam's house.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn, Lois Brenn
  22. 22. INT. JUDGE'S OFFICE - DAY

    Fisher and Liz meet with the judge.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  23. 23. EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - SUNSET

    Fisher has a moment with his father.

    Keith Fisher
  24. 24. INT. ADAM'S OFFICE - DAY

    The group discovers a newspaper article about Tina.

    Keith Fisher, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  25. 25. EXT. SOMEBODY'S YARD - DAY

    Boyd talks to Michael and Adam on the phone, then destroys his realty sign in a manic rage.

    David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  26. 26. INT. BAKERY - DAY

    Fisher and Liz sample cakes.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  27. 27. INT. FLORIST - DAY

    Liz shows Fisher flowers.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  28. 28. INT. LIZ AND FISHER'S NEW HOME - DAY

    Liz and Fisher view a house with Maggie; Fisher writes a deposit check.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  29. 29. EXT. GAS STATION MINI-MART - DAY

    Adam experiences paranoia while filling his gas tank.

    Adam Brenn, Lois Brenn
  30. 30. INT. REHEARSAL DINNER - NIGHT

    The rehearsal dinner toasts are interrupted by Adam's breakdown.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, Liz Garrety, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  31. 31. EXT. BEACH RESTAURANT PARKING LOT - NIGHT

    A confrontation leads to Michael killing Adam with his car.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn
  32. 32. INT. UCLA EMERGENCY WAITING ROOM - NIGHT

    Adam dies in the hospital.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Adam Brenn, Lois Brenn
  33. 33. INT. DENNY'S - LATE NIGHT

    Michael has a breakdown in a restaurant.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn
  34. 34. INT. CAR - NIGHT

    Boyd manipulates Fisher about the nature of love and kisses him.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn
  35. 35. EXT. ADAM'S FUNERAL - GRAVE SITE - DAY

    Michael has a breakdown at Adam's funeral.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Lois Brenn
  36. 36. INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Liz and Fisher argue about the wedding; Fisher receives a call from Lois.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety, Lois Brenn
  37. 37. INT. CANTERS COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT

    The group discusses Lois's discovery of Adam's confession note.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn
  38. 38. INT. LOIS' KITCHEN - NIGHT

    The group confronts Lois; Fisher lies about Adam's infidelity.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn, Lois Brenn
  39. 39. EXT. LOIS' HOUSE - NIGHT

    Boyd instructs Fisher to take Michael home.

    Keith Fisher, David Boyd
  40. 40. INT. FISHER AND LIZ'S HOUSE - NIGHT

    Fisher tells Liz he needs to take Michael home.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  41. 41. INT. BAR - NIGHT

    Michael talks about his 'wahoo' moment while drinking.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, Michael Brenn
  42. 42. INT. LOIS' HOUSE - NIGHT

    Boyd enters Lois's bedroom and kills her.

    David Boyd, Lois Brenn
  43. 43. INT. BAR - NIGHT

    Fisher receives a call from Boyd.

    Keith Fisher, David Boyd, Michael Brenn
  44. 44. EXT. LOIS' HOUSE - NIGHT

    Boyd brings Michael into the house to 'confess'.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd, Michael Brenn
  45. 45. INT. CAR - NIGHT

    Fisher and Moore hear a gunshot.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd
  46. 46. INT. LAW FIRM - DAY

    The attorney informs Fisher and Liz about the estate and debts.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  47. 47. EXT. FISHER'S CAR - DAY

    Fisher confesses the truth to Liz.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  48. 48. INT. CHURCH BASEMENT - DAY

    Boyd enters the church basement.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd
  49. 49. INT. CHURCH BASEMENT - DAY

    Boyd and Fisher argue about money and insurance before fighting.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, David Boyd
  50. 50. INT. CHURCH - DAY

    Liz waits for the wedding to start.

    Liz Garrety
  51. 51. INT. CHURCH BASEMENT - DAY

    Boyd and Fisher fight; Liz kills Boyd with a crucifix.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety, David Boyd
  52. 52. INT. CHURCH - DAY

    Fisher and Liz get married.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, Liz Garrety
  53. 53. EXT. CHURCH - REAR - DAY

    Fisher and Moore load Boyd's body into the car.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore
  54. 54. INT. WEDDING RECEPTION - NIGHT

    Liz demands Fisher dispose of the bodies.

    Keith Fisher, Liz Garrety
  55. 55. INT. FISHER'S CAR - NIGHT

    Fisher and Moore drive to the desert.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore
  56. 56. EXT. DESERT - NIGHT

    Fisher and Moore re-bury the bodies.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore
  57. 57. INT. FISHER'S CAR - NIGHT

    Fisher and Moore crash the car.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore
  58. 58. INT. FISHER HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY

    Liz watches Fisher and the kids in the yard.

    Keith Fisher, Charles Moore, Liz Garrety

Dialogue examples

That's right, "Pup Corn." Doggie treats. Little snacks for dogs. He's figured it out. There is a hole in the market and he's going to fill it. Spends all out money, works himself into not two but three heart attacks getting this shit up. After fifteen months, the big day arrives, the first box of "Pup Corn" pops off the belt. He comes running home with that box, pulls us out of school. We all pile into the living room, must be fifty of us, and in comes "Shelmer," our 8 year old mutt. "Here Shelmer," my dad cries. He's got that little fucking pup corn in his hand, "Here girl." This dog will eat anything, she eats rocks, anything. She walk's up to my dad's hand, looks down at the little pellet, licks it once, turns around, walks out of the room. Shelmer rejected the "Pup Corn." Fifteen months of my dad's life, right there. Not one dog ate Pup Corn. Not one. Three months later, "Pup Corn" shuts down. Chapter Eleven. My father never got over it. Never.

Keith Fisher / Scene 55

Franco Harris has a flare for the dramatic. The former Pittsburgh Steeler running back, beat known for "The Immaculate Reception," his improbable sixty yard Ricochet Reception. I say Ricochet Reception has made a bold move on corporate America. Harris has lead a group of investors in the purchase of the Park Sausage Company. By taking on the challenge of resurrecting Park's, Harris is engaged in the equivalent of a sudden death overtime.

Michael Brenn / Scene 33

Well we can definitely call the police. That's an easy call. If we call the police... What happens? They find a dead prostitute in the bathroom... They ask us... What happened? We say, ah... our friend, Michael... Your brother... got a little out of control... they were making love... and he got a little excited... and he, ah, sort of beat her head into the side of a toilet, while he choked her to death with a rubber hose...

David Boyd / Scene 13

Then fuck what your father said, cause I'm gonna tell you right now... You'll know what it's all about, why you got married and why you love her when you wake up at three in the morning, and the streetlight's coming through the window and it's just catching a corner of her face, like a sleeping angel. And her hair smells sweet and she's your's. She's all your's. Do you see where I'm going here?

Adam Brenn / Scene 12

I will not be derailed! I will not be embarrassed! I will not be denied! I am walking down that aisle tomorrow come hell or high fucking water!

Liz Garrety / Scene 47

Time to pay the man. "For if we confess our sins he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Michael Brenn / Scene 33

Now if I'm the King of Israel and all these sand niggers are armed to the gills and you know it's just a matter of time... right? Am I right?

David Boyd / Scene 12

I've known him for while maybe twenty years kind of a close friend but hey what the heck officer, take him away, go on it's for his own good.

David Boyd / Scene 13

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