Stuff (film)

Stuff is a 1985 American horror film written and directed by Larry Cohen. The film stars Michael Moriarty, Andrea Marcovicci, Garrett Morris, and Paul Sorvino.

The plot revolves around a sweet, yogurt-like substance called "The Stuff" that is discovered bubbling from the ground. Marketed as a delicious and addictive dessert, The Stuff quickly becomes a national craze. However, The Stuff has a sinister secret: it is sentient and begins to turn consumers into mindless, zombie-like beings.

The film follows an industrial saboteur and former FBI agent, David "Mo" Rutherford (Moriarty), who is hired by ice cream tycoons to investigate The Stuff. He teams up with Nicole Kendall (Marcovicci), a marketing executive who initially championed The Stuff but discovers its dangerous side effects, and Charles Hobbs (Morris), a former "Stuff" addict trying to recover. They uncover a conspiracy involving the manufacturers and the government, who are aware of The Stuff's true nature but prioritize profits and power over public safety.

Stuff is a satirical horror film that comments on consumerism, corporate greed, and government corruption. It blends elements of science fiction, body horror, and social commentary. The film received mixed reviews upon its release but has since gained a cult following for its campy tone, practical effects, and its allegorical critique of American society.

The film's title is deliberately generic, reflecting the pervasive and seemingly innocuous nature of the addictive substance it depicts. The idea being it could be anything that takes hold of society driven by mindless consumerism.