Review of The Stuff (1985) by Carlos I — 03 Sep 2016

Another 80's B-movie gem from writer/director Larry Cohen who always gives his trashy drive in type movies an extra sauce poured on them thanks to strong scripts, interesting, engaging characters and clever satire.

The Stuff is about a strange, addictive substance that comes up through the ground and is packaged as a yogurt type confection called the stuff and sold to the masses, were it quickly becomes the next taste sensation and begins to out sell even ice cream, problem is the stuff is alive and malignant and turns the consumer into a host/zombie to do it's bidding.

Again what makes this film zing is that it's way more of a smart satire on consumerism than an out and out horror, although it works beautifully as a comedic horror film too, with some gloriously mad nastiness along the way.

It's great how the film is also a conspiracy thriller and an espionage movie of sorts, plus a "kid in peril" adventure film as well. The standout of the film is Michael Moriarty as David 'Mo' Rutherford, a Former FBI agent turned industrial saboteur, he swaggers into the film elevating everything around him every time he's on screen, but there's also able support from the great Paul Sorvino as the somewhat sleazy colonel and Garret Morris as brilliantly named Chocolate Chip Charlie.

A hilarious, absurd and twisted 80's gem, it's truly great fun.