Set in the small village of Maaskantje in North Brabant, “New Kids Turbo” follows a group of friends: Gerrie, Richard, Rikkert, Robbie, and Barrie, who find themselves unemployed. They believe they are victims of the widely reported credit crisis, but their misfortunes stem from their own idleness, lack of common sense, and poor punctuality.
Gerrie, for instance, is notorious for arriving late to work, leading to a disastrous incident where he drives his forklift into a pallet of boxed plasma screen televisions. Meanwhile, Richard brings his old bulldog to work, which causes chaos by gnawing at the shovels of his supervisor. Rikkert faces the wrath of his boss, a sarcastic garage owner, and is promptly sacked.
As their lives spiral downward, Gerrie is kicked out by his mother after attempting to steal from her purse. Around the same time, Rikkert breaks up with his girlfriend, Manuela, and Barrie’s house, which doubles as an illegal cannabis farm, catches fire. With nowhere else to go, the trio takes refuge in Richard and Robbie’s home.
In a desperate attempt to make ends meet, the group goes shopping, relying on Richard to pay. However, his bank card is declined after refueling Rikkert’s Opel Manta. Frustrated, they storm the local employment and benefits office, demanding more benefits. When their request is denied, Richard loses his temper and threatens the official, leading to a series of unfortunate events.
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The next morning, Richard informs the group that their benefits have been completely cut off. In response, they decide to stop paying for anything and embark on a spree of petty thefts, including stealing fuel from a local petrol station and lager from the supermarket “Lupus.” Gerrie even steals deep-fried croquettes from a takeaway while Barrie distracts the staff.
As their criminal activities escalate, Richard receives a flood of letters and final demands. A debt collector visits, but the group manages to deceive him with the help of a local Down syndrome sufferer. However, when the collector returns, Richard punches him, leading to a confrontation with the police.
Their antics attract the attention of a local journalist, who portrays them sympathetically in a report for TV Brabant. This coverage sparks imitation riots across the Netherlands, further complicating the situation.
In the midst of the chaos, Gerrie seeks help from an old friend, Peter Aerts, also known as “The Lumberjack,” who is now a professional kickboxer. Gerrie borrows a large sum of money and heads to a casino, where he places it all on a single number at the roulette table and wins big. The group celebrates their unexpected fortune, but Gerrie’s reckless nature leads him to bet it all again, resulting in a total loss.
Meanwhile, Rikkert’s Opel Manta is towed away by authorities, leaving him devastated. The group’s situation becomes increasingly dire as civil unrest spreads throughout the region.
In an attempt to quell the riots, the Ministry of Defence decides to wipe Maaskantje off the map. However, a mistake leads to the neighboring town of Schijndel being bombed instead. The government tries to downplay the incident, claiming it was a rogue Belgian missile.
As tensions rise, the group finds themselves ambushed by gunfire, only to discover that Gerrie has acquired antique weapons from a farmer. In a chaotic turn of events, Gerrie accidentally shoots himself while the group prepares to defend their town.
As the local residents evacuate, the group teams up with their friends and allies to face the incoming troops. In a dramatic showdown, Richard confronts the troop leader, but chaos ensues when a lorry crashes through the ranks, spilling lager everywhere. The driver turns out to be the Down syndrome sufferer, adding to the absurdity of the situation.
In the end, the local police chief re-arms himself and shoots the troop commander, leading to the group’s arrest. They are charged with numerous offenses and sentenced to 240 hours of community service.
As the group serves their community service, they encounter “The Lumberjack” once more, who demands repayment.