The Bubble (2022)
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A blockbuster action franchise cast attempts to film a sequel while quarantined in a posh hotel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The story
Following a problematic film role that nearly destroyed her career, actress Carol Cobb is offered the chance to revive it by reprising her role as the heroic Dr. Lacey Nightingale in the sixth installment of the wildly popular Cliff Beasts franchise. The cast and crew arrive at a swanky English hotel and must self-quarantine for two weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the production faces various delays and interpersonal tensions, the team must navigate the challenges of filming under restricted conditions while dealing with internal conflicts and the pressures of the studio.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Actress Carol Cobb joins the Cliff Beasts franchise for its sixth installment, fearing grudges from former castmates. The production moves to a swanky English hotel where the cast and crew self-quarantine for two weeks. The group includes various personalities: Dustin, the workaholic lead; Lauren, a bitter co-star; Dieter, a veteran actor; and Krystal, a TikTok sensation. Director Darren Eigan struggles to manage the group's morale and script disputes. During the shoot, Howie quits in a panic, Krystal is canceled online for sneaking out, and the cast tests positive for influenza. A security team led by Mr. Best oversees the production, causing suspicion. Carol realizes her dialogue is being stripped away, suspecting studio retaliation. After a violent incident involving Lauren and a medical emergency involving Dieter, the cast plans a getaway. They eventually escape the hotel via a helicopter piloted by an unsure Sean, while Darren is knocked out. Two years later, a documentary about the production is released to rave reviews, showing the cast in various states of success.
- First release year
- 2022
- Runtime (minutes)
- 124
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Judd Apatow
- Writers
- Judd Apatow · writer; Pam Brady · writer
- Cast and characters
- Karen Gillan · Carol Cobb; Vir Das · Ronjon; Pedro Pascal · Dieter Bravo; Iris Apatow · Krystal Kris; Fred Armisen · Darren Eigan; Maria Bakalova · Anika; David Duchovny · Dustin Mulray; Keegan-Michael Key · Sean Knox
- Genres
- comedy; parody
- Themes
- showbiz; pandemic life; career redemption
- Tone and mood
- comedy; pretentious
- Premise and plot tags
- metafictional; self-reflexive; pandemic-related
- Source material / true-story basis
- Inspired by the production of Jurassic World Dominion (2022).
- Franchise connections
- Cliff Beasts
- Reception
- The film received negative reviews, described as meandering and mostly unfunny.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 20% · review count: 118; Metacritic · score: 34 · scale: 100 · review count: 34
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Raspberry Awards · Worst Director · 43rd · Nomination
- Production trivia
- It was inspired by the production of Jurassic World Dominion (2022).; Principal photography took place in the United Kingdom at Shepperton Studios, Hedsor House, and Cliveden House.; The film features a parodic scene with an uncredited Maude Apatow.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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