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The Stuff

Play trailer Poster for The Stuff R 1985 1h 27m Horror Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A private detective investigates a new consumer taste treat that's absolutely delicious and just possibly lethal.
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The Stuff

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
Rick Kogan Chicago Tribune Peopled by leaden or hackneyed characters...The Stuff is further burdened by special effects of the most pedestrian kind. Rated: 0/4 Mar 26, 2019 Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness Its execution never lives up to its scrumptious satiric premise. Rated: B Feb 12, 2006 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times The Stuff is a wildly ambitious movie that fails because it forgets to attend to its bottom line. Before you can make a clever, funny, satirical horror film, first you have to make a horror film. Rated: 1.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Mostly forgotten today outside of cult circles and horror enthusiasts, Cohen’s film conceals nothing, not its cynicism toward American shoppers, not its view of corporate greed, not its hatred of capitalist politics. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 8, 2023 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Though The Stuff isn't as effective as Cohen's more heralded titles (including the first installment of his It's Alive trilogy), it has all the hallmarks of his perverse sense of eco-terror. Rated: 3/5 Oct 8, 2020 Full Review Josh Goller Spectrum Culture There are a lot of empty calories in this cheapie, but it's so outrageously indulgent it rises above so much other B-movie fluff. Jul 20, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Judith R The Stuff was a film I would say YES to, the whole film had me extremely interested, this was not like no ordinary film it reminded me of the film the blob I grew up watching. The first scene has you questioning whether it’s a serious film when the guy just randomly starts eating the stuff from the floor and enjoying it. I would say the film did an amazing job of keeping me interested as throughout the whole movie there were unexpected turns and plots I never saw coming for example when the dog threw up the stuff or when it started possessing people and taking over their bodies. This movie really makes you question what you consume and purchase and how marketing is not always like what it seems. For example when they mentioned Coke and the secret syrup they use it really made me question all the times I’ve drank Coke and what am I really even drinking! I really enjoyed the mix of horror and action in this movie. It was also very cool to think about the different kinds of things they used in order to create the special effects of the stuff. I think with a bit more modern touch this film could be one of those Netflix original movies that are cheesy but only do good because they had interesting concepts and were entertaining to watch. I could see how this is a cult film because of the gore in the movie. I would definitely recommend this film because I think it had a very interesting concept with the perfect mix of horror and Sci-fi. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/21/24 Full Review Kelly A The Stuff is one of those 80’s cult films that’s literally impossible to forget. This satirical horror comedy blends both body horror and commentary. While it’s not the most perfect movie, it’s undoubtedly entertaining, leaving you with plenty of memorable moments and a lingering sense of unease every time you go to open your fridge. The film revolves around the Stuff which is a widely popular dessert that turns out to have some, let’s say, unfortunate side effects. The premise alone is enough to hook you, and the movie delivers on the absurdity in spades. From its over the top characters to the increasingly bizarre and cringe scenes, The Stuff keeps you asking, “What am I watching?” and I mean that in the best way possible. One of the film’s strengths is its ongoing commentary on consumerism and corporate greed. Beneath the gooey horror and campy tone lies many critiques of how easily society can be consumed by trends, no matter how dangerous they may be. It’s clever without taking itself too seriously, which adds to the fun. And yes, the special effects can be shocking, strange, and downright unsettling at times. It’s a movie that makes you laugh one moment and jolt the next. By the end, I couldn’t help but look at everyday food items, especially Miracle Whip, with a twitch of suspicion. For fans of campy horror with a side of social satire, The Stuff is well worth a watch. It’s weird, shocking, and oddly thought-provoking, cementing its place as one of those offbeat gems you can’t quite shake from your memory. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review Zac M The stuff a film released in 1985 a detective privately decides to investigate I mystery substance that is from earth and is seen as a dessert has affects in this movie discusses the substance and the effects on society. This film is not based on a true story and sci-fi and maybe horror as a genre. Already Film we see the male character is. somewhat demanding and not being super respectful of what the female character is doing yet the female character is somewhat independent as her assistant is also a female they tell us about the character without explaining her qualities for example, when she was speaking to the man, she could already tell that he was going to ask her for dinner and ask for a dress from her assistant earlier, showing her as intuitive and intelligent. The shots in this film are a little different from some of the other films in the 70s as this movie is in the 80s and also is a horror movie, with a unique subject that makes it a horror film. We get a little horror scene with just the kid and the stuff this movie swaps locations and becomes a little bit more adventurous, as the kid is alone outdoors because he had to escape. It is ironic to me how they wear yellow suits to work in the environment with this stuff and now yellow suits are seen as people that work in hazardous environments. The horrific concept of the ooze is portrayed as more and more dangerous as one of the characters states align saying how are you gonna shoot what’s inside you which gives the film the arch in the plot. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review Avery C This is such a weird, hilarious, and entertaining movie that you can’t help but enjoy it. It’s completely ridiculous like, who sees goo bubbling out of the ground and decides their first instinct is to eat it? That moment alone sets the tone for how funny and bizarre the rest of the movie is going to be. The idea is totally ridiculous—a dessert that mind-controls people and makes them obsessed—but that’s what makes it work so well as a satire. It’s a funny, over-the-top take on consumer culture and how people blindly follow trends without asking questions. Yeah, a mind-controlling dessert sounds insane, but it’s actually a pretty clever way to poke fun at how capitalism sells us stuff we don’t even think twice about, no matter how weird or unsafe it might be. It’s goofy, but it’s got a surprisingly smart message under all the craziness. The whole idea of The movie is packed with over-the-top moments that are equal parts cheesy and charming. The opening scene is a great example, and Jason’s family trying to force him to eat The Stuff is just as ridiculous. The practical effects are another highlight. They’re super cheesy and give off a very comical vibe, but that’s part of what makes them so fun. The goo attacks are laughably ridiculous, and the scene where Chocolate Chip Charlie gets taken over by The Stuff is iconic. Is it dumb? Absolutely. But it’s also weirdly smart, super entertaining, and a total blast to watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review Andy R The stuff was such a really funny dumb movie that was quite enjoyable. It’s so dumb that the first thing someone would do when they see gooey substance from the ground is to taste like whats wrong with you. So from the start you already know that the movie is gonna be funny and weird. I really don't know if the movie is trying to show how things can be so addicting or idk what the movie wanted you to leave with. The fact that the movie is about a dessert that essentially mind-controls people is really ridiculous and how it shows that people blindly follow trends or buy into mass-marketed products without questioning their safety or origins. The films feel like a parody more than a horror movie. The characters in the movie make the movie even more entertaining for instance the Chocolate Chip Charlie is super hyperactive and his kung-fu antics. The effects in the movie are really cheesy and the goo attacks are super ridiculous. I can see why this movie has a certain cult classic in how dumb and funny a movie can be. Explaining this movie to someone who hasn’t seen it will really be hard to explain since how absurd the movie is. Even though the movie was really dumb and weird I really enjoyed watching it because it was funny. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys movies that embrace their own absurdity. I would definitely watch this movie again and hopefully get another perspective on it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review Kelly K This movie is the definition of a fun watch. Overall, the direction of this movie shines through, specifically when it comes to creating the tone of being in the 1980’s. The commercial for the stuff is so fun and eerie, and the practical effects are incredibly entertaining. I really enjoyed this film for what it was, but I am a little disheartened that because the concept is so silly, it is automatically shoved into the category of camp and fun instead of serious. The underlying message and comment on capitalism, follower mentality, and diet culture was so well done and I acknowledge part of the reason it was, was because it’s satirical, but once again, it doesn’t reach as big of an audience because the plot of the movie focuses on a substance that looks like marshmallow fluff. On top of this, there were a few over the top cheesy moments such as the beginning when the man eats the stuff off of the snowy floor, or some of the lines with Jason’s family when they try to convince him to eat the stuff. Regardless, I loved this movie even with the overt cheesiness. The practical effects were super fun and the moment that Chocolate Chip is taken over by the stuff is iconic and resembles The Thing which came out just a few years prior to this movie. Overall, this movie is everything you’d want out of a satirical movie, it has a serious underlying message, the visuals are fun, and it’s wacky. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Stuff

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A private detective investigates a new consumer taste treat that's absolutely delicious and just possibly lethal.
Director
Larry Cohen
Producer
Paul Kurta
Screenwriter
Larry Cohen
Production Co
Larco Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 6, 2015
Runtime
1h 27m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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