The 5 Laziest Plot Holes in ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’

1 The Bogus Contract

Here’s the premise of Spinal Tap II: Manager Ian Faith is dead, and his daughter Hope has inherited the contract he’d signed with the band years earlier. That agreement contains a clause that says the band must perform a final concert. That could be worth a lot of money!

Which makes no sense at all. Spinal Tap’s last tour was a disaster, full of canceled dates and promotional appearances that fans ghosted. Why would Hope Faith think she could make money now with a nowhere group that hasn’t played together in 15 years? It’s a guaranteed loser — at least, according to established Spinal Tap history.

The only explanation: The movie spends 30 seconds on a TikTok in which Garth Brooks sings “Big Bottom” backstage. Sure, a famous singer covering a cheesy old song could go viral. But one Instagram Reel wouldn’t turn Spinal Tap into an arena act overnight. 

2 The Unlikely Reunion

The members of Spinal Tap haven’t spoken in 15 years. But the movie cuts straight to Nigel, David and Derek, living in different parts of the world, leaving their day jobs for the reunion concert. Not one of them refuses or puts up the slightest fuss, despite the fact that they hate each other now. They simply show up for a New Orleans reunion where they can give each other nasty looks. 

A scene or two of Marty DiBergi convincing them to come would have at least explained the begrudging assembly.

3 Are They Supposed to Be Popular Now?

This is Spinal Tap was about a failed band. That was the premise. 

When we last left Spinal Tap, radio DJs told us the group resided in the “Where are they now?” file. Their Smell the Glove album was a huge flop. The broke band couldn’t afford full-size props. The group reunites in Japan only because America gave them a big middle finger. 

But now, despite a 15-year absence from the scene, the band is selling out a huge arena in New Orleans? They can afford a multimedia extravaganza with lasers, video screens and huge props, such as a farting “Big Bottom” skull and a full-size Stonehenge monument? Huh? How?

And why the hell are Paul McCartney and Elton John stopping by rehearsals? We’re supposed to believe the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are longtime fans, longing for a chance to sit in with the boys?  

(Cue forehead-smacking.)

4 The Phony Grudge

There’s virtually no plot to Spinal Tap II, other than the fellas rehearsing for the big concert and David’s mysterious grudge against Nigel. For 75 percent of the film, there’s no hint at what’s behind the squabble other than a “you know what you did!” accusation.

Finally, out of nowhere, David reveals he believes Nigel slept with his wife, Janine, 15 years earlier. Why does he think that? The film doesn’t say. Then David has a fond memory of playing guitar with Nigel and forgives him. Why the change of heart? The film doesn’t say.

A comic storyline that played out the misunderstanding could have driven the entire movie. 

5 The Drummer Curse

One of the funniest bits in the original film was the band’s habit of constantly losing drummers to untimely deaths. The unlikely causes included spontaneous combustion, bizarre gardening accidents and choking.

How does Spinal Tap II dispatch with its new drummer? Choking. 

Come on, guys, you couldn’t even come up with a new way for the drummer to die?