All horror movie references in Sabrina Carpenter's “Taste” music video

The music video for Sabrina Carpenter's single “Taste” is a blood-soaked, horror-inspired work of art that is as playful as it is gruesome.

Co-starring Jenna Ortega, the video takes viewers on a wild ride as the two become embroiled in a violent, yet black, argument over a friend.

The video is full of classic film references, taking inspiration from some of Hollywood's most famous horror films and reinventing them with playful twists. From the shower scene in Psycho to the nurse with eye patch from Kill BillCarpenter's video is a nod to the best of the genre.

“Taste” begins with a warning for parents and viewers, noting that it contains explicit content with “graphic violence” – a warning that should not be taken lightly. But rather than scaring outright, the video mixes horror and humor, turning gruesome scenes into cartoonish spectacles.

Much of the basis of the video is also a tribute to the dark, comedic chaos of Death suits her well, in which Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn fight an endless battle for a man after taking a potion that promises eternal life.

Here are all the movie references in Sabrina Carpenter's “Taste” music video that make it a visual feast for film fans.

Death suits her well

One of the most prominent references in “Taste” is the cult classic Death suits her wella 1992 black comedy starring Streep and Hawn. The setting of the video – a large, spooky mansion – bears a striking resemblance to the iconic house in the film, where much of the film’s action takes place. The mansion is not just a setting, it is central to the narrative, much like in Death suits her wellwhere the opulent yet ominous house becomes the setting for the film's bizarre events.

In one scene, Carpenter is thrown from a balcony and lands directly on a fence, where she is impaled by the posts, leaving a gaping hole in her stomach. For those who haven't seen the film, the revelation of the hole may be shocking, but fans of the 1992 classic won't bat an eyelid, as it's a direct reference to Death suits her wellin which Streep and Hawn repeatedly suffer absurd injuries and come back to life after taking a potion that promises eternal youth.

The reference remains as a common thread for much of the video as Carpenter continues to be impaled and resurrected, including a shower scene where Ortega chops off Carpenter's arm, only for her to be revived seconds later. As in Death suits her well, No injury is that bad.

By the end of the music video, Carpenter and Ortega seem to have reached a point of solidarity and affection, reminiscent of Streep and Hawn's ultimate decision to give up their rivalry over a man for a friendship that will last (literally) forever.

The tribute continues until the end of the video, where Carpenter and Ortega walk down the stairs after attending their friend's funeral. The scene mirrors the final moments of Death suits her wellin which Streep and Hawn walk down the church steps, now enemies, still arguing despite their broken and decaying bodies.

Carpenter's video, however, is a little more lighthearted: instead of falling down the stairs and losing limbs, the duo giggle and share a moment of camaraderie, hinting at their newfound bond.

Kill Bill

Another unmistakable reference in “Taste” is Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Billwhich is evident in a scene in which Ortega, wearing a nurse costume with an eye patch, bears an uncanny resemblance to Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), one of the film's most memorable villains.

In front of the eye patch, Carpenter stabs Ortega in the eye with a knife in a particularly brutal moment, which Kill Bill''s fearless use of violence. The knife in the eye is a reference to the film's characters who suffer serious injuries but still continue their quest for revenge.

Child's play

The Child's play The series, known for its killer doll Chucky, is also referenced in “Taste,” as Carpenter uses a voodoo doll to control Ortega and manipulates her movements with dark glee – a scene reminiscent of the supernatural horror series.

The twist comes, however, when Ortega reveals that she also owns a voodoo doll belonging to Carpenter, which she throws into the fire, causing the “Espresso” singer to burst into flames.

Psycho

No horror music video would be complete without a reference to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psychoand “Taste” does not disappoint. In a scene where Carpenter marches into the villa (with a knife in her hand) and finds Ortega and her lover in the shower, she tries to strike – a clear homage to the iconic shower scene from Psycho.

However, the scene does not end with a lifeless body collapsed in the tub. Instead, it escalates into a prolonged violent exchange of blows between Carpenter and Ortega, with the Wednesday Instead, the star chopped off the “Espresso” singer’s arm.

Beetlejuice 2

The video does not directly refer to the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel, but it hints at what will happen in the sequel to the cult classic. The final scene of Taste contains shots that bear an eerie resemblance to the opening frames of a funeral scene from the film.

Beetlejuice 2, The film is scheduled to be released on September 6, 2024, and Ortega also plays Astrid Deez, Lydia's (Winona Ryder) daughter.