Roto-Rooter’s Hall of Bathroom Scene Fame

Ah, the bathroom! A sanctuary of calm and privacy. A place where we can be ourselves and check Instagram in peace, right? Not if you’re a character in any of these Hollywood movies.

Usually we pride ourselves on being the first responders for most bathroom-related emergencies, but these scenes left us feeling cold with trepidation. After careful consideration, we’ve compiled a case-by-case study to come up with our SEBE (Survive Every Bathroom Emergency) guide. We hope you won’t need them, but just in case, here you go!

Jurassic Park (1993)

Scene: The worst part of using portable toilets? The queues. There’s always an impatient user trying to rush you. Maybe if Donald Gennaro had had a more considerate attitude, the T-Rex might not have been so vengeful.

Roto-Rooter SEBE advice: T-Rexs actually have relatively poor eyesight and are reliant on movement to spot their prey. If your toilet habits have enraged the next user, we suggest you align your shoulders, hips, and toes in the same direction and hold still. It’s also good practice to flush after use.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

Scene: “Who does No. 2 work for?” An enemy who attacks when you’re at your most vulnerable deserves all the swirlies he gets.

Roto-Rooter SEBE advice: If you find yourself facing a similar foe (although we truly hope you don’t), reach for the toilet scrubber. They’re usually close enough to reach easily, and the long handle inserts a bit of distance between you and the assailant. The nature of it’s day job also acts as an extra deterrent.

Psycho (1960)

Scene: The shower scene that redefined how we take showers afterwards. Marion Crane’s innocuous bathroom moment turned into a nightmare that haunts our solitary shower moments and means we always double or triple check behind the curtain.

Roto-Rooter SEBE advice: If you haven’t seen the movie and you enjoy not developing new paranoias, we’d recommend you skip this scene. Otherwise, locking bathroom doors and not checking into creepy hotels on your own is a good start. And if you find that your showerhead needs fixing or just needs an upgrade, we can arrange for a technician to help out. When you’re not using it and without the Hitchcock horror element.

Tech older female customer at table
Tech older female customer at table

There’s Something About Mary (1998)

Scene: The moment in cinematic history when we all took in a sharp breath of pain in sympathy with Ben Stiller’s teenage character. Teaching us all to always mind your own business in the bathroom.

Roto-Rooter SEBE advice: Honestly, this could have all been avoided with an appropriate frosted glass window or a waterproof bathroom blind. If your bathroom is lacking proper privacy features, give us a call for a straightforward bathroom refurbishment. Much safer than a visit to A&E due to distractions.

Bathrooms may seem like the last place to expect drama, but these Hollywood classics remind us that there are worse things than an overflowing toilet. If, like us, you’re a fan of good movies, you’ll know it’s good to be ready for anything. Stick with us for more survival guides; after all, there’s no problem a Roto-Rooter plumber can’t fix!