Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip

As the calendar hits the spring break season, eleven-year-old Alexander is beyond excited for the family vacation of a lifetime. Together with his exasperated parents, Ben and Kate, and his younger sister, Sara, Alexander boards a flight to Mexico City, his eyes shining with anticipation and wonder. The family has been looking forward to this trip for months, meticulously planning every activity, every sight, and every meal. The allure of the vibrant city, the rich history, and the warm hospitality of the Mexican people has left them all in awe. As they soar through the skies, Alexander can barely contain his excitement, counting down the hours until they arrive in this wondrous land. However, things take a dramatic turn the moment they step off the plane. The first sign of trouble comes in the form of the scorching heat that hits them like a ton of bricks as soon as they exit the airport. Exhausted from their long journey, the family quickly realizes that their carefully laid plans have begun to unravel. Their pre-booked accommodations are still unavailable, and a series of unforeseen events starts to pile up. To make matters worse, Ben's phone is out of battery, leaving them stranded without directions or any means of communication. Despite the initial setbacks, the family trudges on, determined to make the most of their trip. They hail a taxi, which promptly gets stuck in traffic, wasting precious time and fuel. The driver's peculiar behavior only adds to their growing frustration. At each turn, the family's frustration grows, and their dreams of a relaxing and enjoyable vacation seem more and more far-fetched. As if fate itself were conspiring against them, their taxi breaks down on the side of the road with no one nearby to help. With their luggage in tow, the family is forced to navigate through the chaotic streets of Mexico City, relying on their wits and a faint map to find their way to a nearby hotel. Their journey, which was supposed to be an odyssey of discovery and adventure, is quickly turning into a nightmare of mishaps and misadventures. It is here, amidst the mayhem, that the group stumbles upon an obscure antique shop, nestled between a bustling marketplace and a dilapidated old temple. Sensing an opportunity to salvage their trip, Ben decides to explore the shop, hoping to find a rare artifact or a unique souvenir. Unbeknownst to the family, this seemingly innocuous visit will ultimately lead them down a perilous path. Deep within the shop, Ben discovers an intricately designed gold idol, its surface adorned with cryptic symbols and markings. The shopkeeper, an enigmatic figure with an unnerving grin, warns them that this idol has been cursed for centuries, causing untold suffering and hardship to those who possess it. Despite the ominous warning, Ben's desire for a unique memento gets the better of him, and he buys the idol, unaware of the catastrophic consequences that are about to unfold. As soon as they set foot back in their hotel, strange occurrences begin to happen. The air conditioning unit malfunctions, pouring water everywhere, and Sara becomes increasingly agitated, complaining of inexplicable headaches. Each family member starts to experience strange and disturbing visions, hinting at some unseen malevolent force at work. It becomes clear that the idol has brought a dark presence into their lives, exacting a terrible revenge for its capture. As things spiral out of control, the family realizes that they must act quickly to remove the curse. Panicked, they set out to research the idol's origins and understand the incantations needed to lift the curse. With each new discovery, the stakes grow higher, and the group finds themselves facing an increasingly impossible task. Can they unravel the secrets of the idol before it's too late, or will they succumb to the forces of darkness and lose themselves forever? In the midst of chaos and desperation, the bond between the family members becomes the only anchor holding them together. United in their quest for salvation, Alex, Ben, Kate, and Sara embark on a journey of self-discovery, facing their deepest fears and insecurities in order to overcome the unspeakable horrors that now surround them. Can they restore balance to their lives and exorcise the malevolent spirit that has been unleashed, or will they forever bear the scars of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad road trip?