Sabrina Carpenter’s "Taste" music video pays homage to iconic horror films.

Sabrina Carpenter’s music video for her single “Taste” is a visually striking homage to some of horror cinema’s most iconic films. Released on August 23, 2024, the video features Carpenter and Jenna Ortega in a darkly comedic and blood-soaked battle, nodding to several legendary horror movies with a playful twist.

The video draws significant inspiration from the 1992 black comedy Death Becomes Her, starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. Set in a grand, eerie mansion reminiscent of the one in the film, the video mirrors the movie’s themes of rivalry and eventual camaraderie. Carpenter’s character endures gruesome injuries, such as being impaled on a fence and having her arm chopped off, only to be restored moments later, just like the characters in Death Becomes Her.

Another unmistakable reference is Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, where Ortega, dressed in a nurse’s outfit complete with an eye patch, channels the character Elle Driver. The video also features a nod to Child’s Play as Carpenter uses a voodoo doll to control Ortega, a scene reminiscent of the infamous killer doll Chucky. However, the twist comes when Ortega reveals her own voodoo doll, leading to Carpenter’s character bursting into flames.

In a clear homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Carpenter storms into a shower scene wielding a knife, mimicking the iconic moment from the 1960 classic. However, the video takes it further, escalating the scene into a brutal fight between Carpenter and Ortega.

While not an explicit reference, the video’s final scenes bear a striking resemblance to the upcoming Beetlejuice 2 funeral scene, hinting at the film’s visual style. With Ortega starring in both projects, the connection adds an extra layer of intrigue.