C.H.U.D.

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1:31

C.H.U.D.

R

1984

1h 30m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

44%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

33%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Photographer George Cooper (John Heard) is documenting the lives of subterranean homeless people, a population that has mysteriously dwindled. After receiving information from a reporter, George becomes aware of a conspiracy theory about cannibalistic monsters lurking in the sewers. He teams up with the reporter, a policeman (Christopher Curry) and a priest (Daniel Stern) to fight two battles: one against the cannibals and the other against a corrupt government official.

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Critics Consensus

It has its fair share of goopy B-movie thrills and unexpectedly pointed social commentary, but C.H.U.D. ultimately emerges from its cinematic sewer as a narratively slack and inconsistent creature feature.

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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

Oct 8, 2025

CHUD, a low-budget exploitation item, is scary, but only because bottomless incompetence can be truly terrifying.

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Richard Harrington

Washington Post

Aug 21, 2025

Despite its bare-bones plot and minimal effects, "C.H.U.D." is kept floating by thankfully underplayed acting and Parnell Hall's script.

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Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

May 11, 2025

More funny than scary, this schlock-horror Z flick articulates a primal NYC fear harbored by anyone who’s ever peered down a sewer grate.

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Michael Walsh

The Province (Vancouver)

Apr 7, 2026

Directed by the aptly named Douglas Cheek, the picture compensates for its overall roughness by emphasizing incidental humor.

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Lou Cedrone

Baltimore Sun

Oct 7, 2025

It isn't up there with "Frankenstein," but it does have some integrity, and you can't say that about many fright movies.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Aug 31, 2025

1/5

Ridiculous monsters, unappealing main characters and an inevitable twist ending only add insult to injury in this crass exploiter.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 9, 2026

This is *not* a good movie!

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Farah R

@Farah Jul 27, 2026

A recommendation got me to watch this film, and it’s not the mindless campy creature feature I expected it would be. C.H.U.D. is an indictment of corruption and exploitation first, and a gory mutant monster movie second. It’s way smarter and meaningful than it suggests. Still very low budget though.

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Brant F

@destroyfascism Jul 26, 2026

Three percent C.H.U.D.s, ninety-seven percent municipal corruption. Somehow, it works. The atmosphere and anti-authoritarian streak are stronger than the creature feature, but I’d still recommend it to anyone who loves grimy drive-in style ‘80s horror-thrillers.

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Jamie W.

@winenanator May 7, 2026

Fun movie with a few celebrities in it … If 80s cheapos interest you there is a good chance you will enjoy this too

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Felix B

@yodieslaya Mar 8, 2026

This movie is fun and can be scary at times but should be watched more as a drama than a horror movie. The cinematography is very skillful and not many films ever show New York City grime like chud does. It also has relevant social commentary. If you cannot watch a low budget movie or if your favorite movie is a marvel movie, you probably won’t enjoy this. But this movie has so much charm I hope you like this movie, because it is such a refreshing, original watch and a break from all the regurgitated slop coming out now.

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Jeepers C

@RT12312147 Nov 6, 2025

I really liked this creature feature. This was a great drive in movie, back then. It is a classic creature feature now on my big screen TV. I love the story about the cannibalistic human urban dweller. They live down below, with the mole people. The hard city life resonates throughout the movie. The chuds look gruesome and cool too. One of my favorites, along with Humanoids From the Deep.

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Douglas Cheek

Director

John Heard

George Cooper

Kim Greist

Lauren Daniels

Daniel Stern

A.J. "The Reverend" Shepherd

Brenda Currin

Francine

Justin Hall

Justin

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C.H.U.D.: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Photographer George Cooper (John Heard) is documenting the lives of subterranean homeless people, a population that has mysteriously dwindled. After receiving information from a reporter, George becomes aware of a conspiracy theory about cannibalistic monsters lurking in the sewers. He teams up with the reporter, a policeman (Christopher Curry) and a priest (Daniel Stern) to fight two battles: one against the cannibals and the other against a corrupt government official.

Director: Douglas Cheek
Producer: Andrew Bonime
Screenwriter: Parnell Hall
Distributor: New World Pictures
Production Co: New World Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 31, 1984, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 27, 2011
Runtime: 1h 30m

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