The rise of mindless consumerism and the twin evils of marketing and fast food are just three of the themes that arise in Larry Cohen’s classic horror goofest The Stuff, a fun-filled and thought-provoking 80s B-Movie.
A new pudding sensation has swept across America, The Stuff; a low fat chilled dessert. But all is not as it seems. When industrial espionage professional David Rutherford (Michael Moriarty) is hired by the ice cream industry to discover the secret of this mysterious treat, he finds that The Stuff is not only highly addictive, it’s turning consumers into mindless zombies who will stop at nothing to get more of their favourite confectionary.
While The Stuff is undoubtedly rich in themes and bears striking resemblance to other B-Movie horrors of the 20th century, most notably The Blob, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. In fact, the magic of The Stuff lies in the inherent comedy scattered throughout the film, from the plethora of gooey special effects, to the performances of Paul Sorvino and Garrett Morris that very nearly steal the movie.
One of the most striking things about Cohen’s mischievous parody of consumer culture and the underhand tactics of corporate America, is that the film is probably more relevant now in 2014, than it was in 1985. It’s clear from the beginning that the fast food companies and consumers wanting great-tasting food that’s seemingly healthy, no matter the price, is the focus of Cohen’s stinging social commentary. Under his microscope no aspect of corporate America is safe, from licensing and marketing to the way that most consumers will buy into the myth of the perfect food, there are more than a few provocative points in the film. The Stuff is an entertaining but cognitive rite of passage for any horror fan.