The Stuff (1985)
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67% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(6,418 ratings)
When a group of miners discovers a mysterious but delicious white substance bubbling up from the earth, a conglomerate markets the gooey, addictive fluff as a dessert in this tongue-in-cheek horror spoof from former NBC scriptwriter Larry Cohen. When a new product called "The Stuff" begins… More When a group of miners discovers a mysterious but delicious white substance bubbling up from the earth, a conglomerate markets the gooey, addictive fluff as a dessert in this tongue-in-cheek horror spoof from former NBC scriptwriter Larry Cohen. When a new product called "The Stuff" begins eating into the market share of traditional frozen desserts, the dairy industry hires former FBI agent Moe Rutherford (Michael Moriarty) to investigate the competition. With the assistance of deposed ice-cream magnate Chocolate Chip Charlie (Garrett Morris), Rutherford discovers that the substance is actually a sentient entity that takes over its victims' minds while eating away at their bodies from the inside. Meanwhile, young Jason (Scott Bloom) realizes that his family's strange behavior has something to do with the dessert product in their refrigerator that refuses to stay in its carton, and he launches a campaign to destroy the threatening confection. Soon Rutherford and Jason must team up with Nicole Kendall (Andrea Marcovicci), The Stuff's unwitting advertising mastermind, and Vietnam vet-turned-militia leader Colonel Spears (Paul Sorvino) to save America from its own sweet tooth. Sorvino and Moriarty would go on to co-star in NBC's hit police procedural, Law & Order. Icy-eyed As the World Turns hunk Brian Bloom appears alongside his brother, Scott Bloom. The Stuff's television connections also extend to cameos from Clara Peller, pitchwoman for the Wendy's "Where's the beef?" campaign, and Abe Vigoda of Barney Miller fame. Actresses Brooke Adams, Tammy Grimes, and Laurene Landon also appear in parodic commercials for the titular dessert. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Directed By
- Larry Cohen
- Written By
- Larry Cohen
- Genres
- Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 14, 1985 Wide
- On DVD
- Oct 24, 2000
- Studio
- New World Video
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Totally resistible horror comedy by the playful B film filmmaker Larry Cohen.
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Até razoavelmente divertido em sua época, tornou-se (ainda) pior com o passar do tempo, sobrevivendo apenas como mais um dos inúmeros momentos embaraçosos da cinematografia norte-americana dos anos 80.
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Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Its execution never lives up to its scrumptious satiric premise.
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Aaron Hillis, Premiere Magazine
Playful comic-horror is a fine diversion. Consumers, beware!
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Likably goofy Larry Cohen horror satire.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Michael Moriarty
as David "Moe" Rutherford
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Andrea Marcovicci
as Nicole Kendall
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Paul Sorvino
as Col. Spears
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Scott Bloom
as Jason
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Garrett Morris
as Chocolate Chip Charlie
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Danny Aiello
as Vickers
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Alexander Scourby
as Evans
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Russell Nype
as Richards
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Brooke Adams
as Girl in Stuff Commercial
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Rutanya Alda
as Psychologist
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Harry Bellaver
as Old Miner
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Colette Blonigan
as Jason's Mother
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Brian Bloom
as Jason's Brother
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James Dukas
as Gas Station Attendant
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Tammy Grimes
as Herself
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Laurene Landon
as Guest Star in "Stuff Commercials"
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Heidi Miller
as Girl in Franchise
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John Newton
as Howard
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Patrick O'Neal
as Fletcher
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Clara Peller
as Old Couple in Stuff Commercial
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Edward Power
as Executive
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Adrianne Sachs
as Studio Aide
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Abe Vigoda
as Old Couple in Stuff Commercial
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James Dixon
as Postman
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Jery Hewitt
as State Trooper
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Peter Hock
as Miner
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Gene O'Neill
as Scientist
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David Snell
as Doctor
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Ann Dane
as Hostess
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Cathy Schultz
as Waitress
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Marilyn Staley
as Tour Guide
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Beth Teagarden
as Investigator
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Robert Frank Telfer
as Jason's Father
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Nick Taylor
as Ex-FBI Man
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Bobbi Burns
as Secretary
