When Sausage Party hit theaters in 2016, it introduced viewers to a groundbreaking concept. Picture an animated film that channels the spirit of <em>Toy Story</em>, but instead of toys, it’s food that springs to life in the grocery store when humans are absent. Yet, Sausage Party was far from a family-friendly Disney flick; it was unapologetically adult, featuring outrageous scenes filled with explicit humor, including a series of comical food orgies and a rebellion against humanity, where the food takes a stand to eliminate their human oppressors.

So, what’s the next step after such a shocking film? The answer lies in a TV series. Sausage Party: Foodtopia, which debuted on Prime Video in 2024, reunites most of the star-studded cast, led by Seth Rogen, Michael Cera, Edward Norton, and Kristen Wiig. This series explores the aftermath of the revolution, as the food attempts to construct their own society, leading to unforeseen complications, especially with the arrival of a human named Jack (Will Forte). By the end of the first season, Brenda Bunson (Wiig) has met her demise, and Frank’s (Rogen) vision of a foodtopia has sparked discord among the other food, who begin to rebel against his authoritarian approach. Now, Sausage Party: Foodtopia has returned to Amazon Prime Video for a highly anticipated second season. While the outrageous humor may not be as shocking as before, the central themes of Frank and his companions grappling with isolation in a new world remain profoundly relevant.

What Is ‘Sausage Party: Foodtopia’ Season 2 About?

In the inaugural season of Sausage Party: Foodtopia, the effort to establish a society is tainted by Julius (Sam Richardson), a villainous orange that serves as a parody of Donald Trump, manipulated by a devious grain of rice named Jeri Rice (Stephanie Beard). The season culminates in Jeri Rice’s downfall, but not without the tragic loss of Brenda Bunson. By the end, Frank emerges as the leader, realizing his dream of a foodtopia. However, his desire for total control breeds discontent among the others.

As Season 2 unfolds, the other food grows increasingly frustrated with Frank, who now relies on human Jack (Forte) for protection. In a dramatic turn, they plot to remove Frank, Barry (Cera), and Sammy Bagel Jr. (Norton) from their community. The trio of friends is thrust into a vast world beyond their familiar grocery store and shopping center. The revolution’s impact is evident everywhere, with humans nowhere in sight. What begins as a post-apocalyptic journey leads our heroes to discover a new food community called Newfoodland, where everything seems almost too perfect to be real.

The citizens of Newfoodland embody the harmonious society Frank had long envisioned, with everyone eager to help one another. This results in a highly sophisticated and technologically advanced community, where Frank, Barry, and Sammy are celebrated as heroes of the revolution. In this idyllic setting, Frank takes on a role in the town council, Barry finds himself enamored with a fierce soldier in the form of a mustard jar named Dijon (Marion Cotillard), and Sammy Bagel Jr. carves out a niche as a celebrated filmmaker. However, beneath the surface of Newfoodland’s perfection lies a dark secret. The community has coerced some surviving humans to assist in their societal reconstruction, leading to the pivotal question of whether Frank, Barry, and Sammy can reconcile their new way of life with their past.

‘Sausage Party: Foodtopia’s Humor Starts To Fall Flat in This Familiar World

With many of the previous supporting characters from Sausage Party: Foodtopia taking a backseat, the series introduces a variety of quirky new characters. For the most part, this new cast succeeds in adding fresh dynamics. The leadership in Newfoodland includes Trish (Jillian Bell), a walnut with a shell that resembles a large brain, granting her an almost psychic ability to read others’ intentions. However, one of the standout comedic characters is Sherman (Martin Starr), a sheet cake designed to resemble a naked woman, complete with eyeballs for breasts and a face that reads, “Happy Birthday Dave.” It’s unfortunate that Starr wasn’t fully able to unleash the potential of Sherman’s outrageous design.

The aforementioned Cotillard portrays the most alluring jar of mustard ever seen—a strong character who plays a significant role in the human subplot while developing feelings for Barry. Love blossoms in Foodtopia in unexpected ways. Jack, who has always been shunned by the food for his past as a consumer, discovers purpose in Newfoodland and finds romance with another human named Jill (Patti Harrison). Jack and Jill—get it? If this new season of Sausage Party: Foodtopia has shortcomings, it’s that the humor lacks the robust flavor it once had. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that the outrageous scenarios feel less wild with each iteration. While the orgies remain, they are significantly toned down. There are still plenty of clever jokes and amusing food parodies (such as food directors modeled after the likes of Francis Ford Coppola and Quentin Tarantino), but the explosive, side-splitting humor has noticeably diminished. It’s not merely weaker Jack and Jill jokes; there’s also a belated reference to Will Smith‘s infamous Academy Awards slap and a repetitive “What’s in the box?!” punchline from Seven that feels outdated two decades later.

While Sausage Party: Foodtopia remains humorous, it undeniably feels more subdued than what we’ve come to expect. Whether this is a deliberate choice, a result of familiarity with this universe, or the challenge of surpassing previous heights, the series still thrives on the beloved characters we know. Jack displays deeper emotions and intelligence this season, Frank confronts the consequences of his leadership style, Barry learns to stand out from Frank’s shadow, and Sammy Bagel Jr., who was the most hilarious character in the first season, struggles with his own inflated ego as a filmmaker. The laughter may not be as loud this time, but the character development remains engaging and significant.

‘Sausage Party: Foodtopia’ Season 2 Sets Up a Twist for More

What distinguished the first season of Foodtopia from its cinematic predecessor was its transition from mere raunchy antics to a surprisingly insightful narrative. The journey toward establishing a liberated food society mirrors the struggles of a free humanity, showcasing food forming political factions and engaging in elections. The first season concluded with Frank’s idealistic socialist visions clashing with the harsh realities of governance. Season 2 delves deeper into the political landscape, seeking to uncover a functional society while revealing the unsettling truths lurking beneath the surface of this utopia. Throughout, Sausage Party: Foodtopia poses profound questions about the value of food. Is certain food more significant based on its origin or identity? Is it acceptable to disregard a fellow food simply because they are unfamiliar? These inquiries resonate with the harsh realities of our world today.

In the climactic eighth episode of Foodtopia, the narrative takes an unexpected turn that we won’t spoil here. This pivotal moment introduces a character voiced by the late Andre Braugher, and the series pays tribute to him in the end credits. While his absence will be felt in whatever unfolds in Season 3, Sausage Party: Foodtopia is poised for its next chapter. Let’s hope that the upcoming season strikes a balance between humor and thought-provoking content.