Saagar Kote
Hulu’s ‘Pizza Movie’ deals with the experiences of Jack, Montgomery, and Lizzy, who experience a drug-fueled, surreal journey at their college campus. Jack and Montgomery accidentally find a box containing an old and powerful drug named M.I.N.T.S, which comes with its fair share of side effects. The unique properties of the drug can only be neutralized by the users if they consume pizza. What begins as a simple plan to get high takes Jack, Montgomery, and Lizzy down a path of impossible visions, hallucinations, and unexpected revelations.
With the simple act of eating pizza becoming a major challenge, the trio must find a way out of their ordeal. They must grab a slice of pizza before the side effects of the drug reach alarming levels. Through the corridors of the college campus, dorm rooms, parties, and encounters with strange individuals, the drugged students must not only conquer the mighty drug but also save their friendship in the process. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Pizza Movie Plot Synopsis
A student of Cranford College, Montgomery tries to flirt with his crush, Ashley, at a laundromat, but fails. His friend and dorm roommate, Jack, is a target of the college bullies, especially because of the trouble he caused the football team. Jack and Montgomery are specifically targeted by Logan, a bully who has befriended Lizzy, their former friend. The bullies don’t show any restraint in their actions, often forcing the dorm roommates to take part in degrading actions. During one such bullying session, Logan and his gang accidentally cause a small box of drugs to fall from the false ceiling of Jack and Montgomery’s room. Unbeknownst to the bullies, the two friends find a rare drug named “M.I.N.T.S” in the box.
The roommates watch an online video recorded a decade ago by a girl named Frankie, the drug maker who used to live in their room as a student in the past. Through the video, Jack and Montgomery learn that consuming M.I.N.T.S comes with serious side effects that unfold in “six phases” that grow increasingly difficult. The only way to experience the real bliss of the drug and escape the phases is by eating pizza to neutralize the side effects. Already experiencing weird hallucinations, the roommates immediately order a pizza. They realize that they must retrieve the pizza from the Snackatron 3000 delivery robot in the lobby, all while avoiding “Resident Advisor (RA)” leader, Blake, and his gang of students who target drug users at college. Under the influence of drugs, Jack and Montgomery endure surreal visions in various phases.
The first phase is one where they must not speak bad words at any cost, failing which their heads explode. The second phase is one where their past memories flash in front of them. When the two boys cross paths with Lizzy, they realize that she, too, has consumed M.I.N.T.S. The third phase forces a body swap where Jack and Lizzy swap bodies. Hilariously, Montgomery switches bodies with his pet butterfly, Lysander. The fourth phase is one where the drugged trio is forced to reveal uncomfortable truths. During this phase, the trio comes close to eating the pizza, which is when Montgomery hints that he is thinking of opting for a different roommate, angering Jack. The pizza gets into the hands of Blake, who confiscates the phones of drug-using students and compiles a list to have them transferred to the terrible and isolated Gralk Hall dorm.
Blake holds Jack captive and plans to use his unique face to unlock all confiscated phones and simultaneously transfer all students to Gralk Hall dorm. Lizzy, during the body-switch phase, learns that Logan just cares about her money and not her friendship. She then teams up with Montgomery to rescue Jack from Blake. When Blake throws the pizza during a fight, Snackatron 3000 saves the pizza by jumping out the window. Jack, Montgomery, and Lizzy enter the fifth phase, where their bodies work in tandem, making them appear like one single person. Lysander seemingly pushes Blake down an elevator shaft and comes close to saving the trio.
Pizza Movie Ending: Do Jack, Montgomery, and Lizzy Escape the Final Phase? How?
After Blake is handled by Lysander, the situation appears peaceful. Jack, Montgomery, and Lizzy assume that the worst part is over and express some relief. They share a lightheaded moment and even thank each other for their support throughout the M.I.N.T.S. ordeal. At this moment, a dangerous realization hits them. The three realize they still haven’t eaten the pizza, which means the “phases” of the M.I.N.T.S. are still on. As they try to handle the scenario, the room goes dark. As promised by Frankie in the video, their failure to eat pizza results in them entering the dreaded “final phase” of the drug, namely the “Your Worst Nightmare Comes to Life and Shoves a Chainsaw Up Your Ass” phase. In the drug-fueled visions, they see each of their “nightmares” holding a chainsaw, ready to use the machines against them.
Jack sees an older version of himself, Montgomery is shocked by the appearance of the “Rat King,” a character from a play, and Lizzy is troubled by the sight of her childhood bully, who used to laugh at her. The nightmares come closer with the chainsaws, at which point the three young people try to escape. As they run, they realize they are on a higher floor of the building. With no other option left, the three students jump out the window and land on a dumpster full of trash. However, when they realize the three visions are standing right behind them, they panic. Snackatron 3000 arrives on time with the pizza it had saved earlier. Jack, Montgomery, and Lizzy begin to desperately crawl towards the pizza before the nightmares shove the chainsaws in them.
As they are about to reach the pizza, Blake shows up out of nowhere. He stamps on the pizza box to prevent them from getting the pizza. This leads the trio to force the remaining M.I.N.T.S. drug down his throat and neutralize him. With Blake no longer a threat, the three students grab one pizza slice each and take a bite just in time before the chainsaws reach their bodies. As soon as they bite into the pizzas, the nightmares vanish. Despite the intense properties of the drug, the group manages to avoid the worst effects with a bit of luck, a touch of survival instinct, and lots of absurd visions.
Does Snackatron 3000 Shut Down? Why Does Lizzy Leave Logan’s Group?
Snackatron 3000 remains an integral part of the story as the dedicated pizza delivery robot. It appears when the trio needs it the most. It also waits for Montgomery to give it a good review. After handling the nightmares, Montgomery reaches out to the robot and tells it that he is happy with the pizza delivery service. The robot finally gets permission to shut down. But this turns out to be Snackatron 3000’s last moment as a functional machine. As Montgomery, Lizzy, and Jack salute it for its bravery, the robot’s “soul” leaves its body. Due to the damage sustained during its courageous jump from the window to save the pizza, the machine sustains cracks. Due to this, it bids the students goodbye and shuts down forever. After coming back to reality, Lizzy goes to the party bus, near which Logan and his group wait for her.
Earlier in the story, during the drug phase, when she switches bodies with Jack, she learns that Logan and his group are using her only for her credit card. By the bus, as Logan aggressively demands that she take out her credit card, Lizzy finally loses her cool. She kicks Logan and leaves the group, finally choosing liberation over validation. This also strengthens Lizzy’s bond with Jack and Montgomery. The three of them used to be close in the past, but somehow lost their way when Logan and his gang disrupted their emotional dynamics. With Logan out of the way, Lizzy comes to understand that her true friends are Jack and Montgomery. As the students in the school corridor notice them, the three friends walk together, closer than ever.
What Do the Flying Lollipop Pixies Signify? Will Lizzy and Montgomery Get Together?
With the dangerous side effects of M.I.N.T.S finally out of their bodies, Jack, Montgomery, and Lizzy are able to experience the real bliss of the drug. Just like Frankie’s description in the video, the three friends begin to experience lavender-themed surroundings where flying lollipop pixies appear and start singing. Before consuming the drug, this is what Jack and Montgomery look for, and they are finally able to feel the magic. The pizza is still with them and will come in handy if they feel the “phases” again. Though the narrative doesn’t portray when exactly the blissful effects of M.I.N.T.S fade, it can be presumed that it will stay long enough to provide the three students an escape from their realities.
As they are enjoying the drug, we see Lizzy and Montgomery holding hands. The two of them seem to like each other, especially because they have gone through one mind-bending adventure after another. Montgomery also stops showing romantic interest in Ashley after realizing that she is not the right person for him. It is highly likely that Lizzy and Montgomery will be more than schoolmates and friends in the future, and date each other.
Who are the Writers? What Do They Talk About?
When Blake gets the full dose of M.I.N.T.S, he enters a realm of pure reality where the truth is important. He sees two writers discussing the plot of the movie. This is a moment where the narrative breaks the fourth wall and communicates the hilarious and absurd tone of the movie to the viewers. The writers recognize Blake as one of the actors for their upcoming movie. When the writers talk to each other, they stress that the movie based on M.I.N.T.S. and the friends is silly and has outrageous plot points that don’t make any sense.
This is a unique part of the story, since it communicates honestly with the viewers and recognizes the value of cinematic entertainment. The conversation between the writers also sheds light on the over-the-top nature of comedy films and how they can sometimes involve elements that are too bizarre or illogical. This unique scene makes the narrative more entertaining and also leads to hilarious moments between the characters.
Read More: Where Was Hulu’s Pizza Movie Filmed?
