The Stuff – Review

Come try The Stuff, the taste that makes you hungry for more. No artificial ingredients. It’s the product of tomorrow!

As Fletcher Mines quarry worker Larry discovers goopy thick white paste bubbling out of the ground in Georgia, he immediately tastes it. Hey! That’s pretty good. There may be enough there to sell to people! What could go wrong?

As little Jason (Bloom) wakes up in his burning hot room, he sneaks downstairs to splash some water on his face and search the fridge for something cool. There is a pint of The Stuff, which has spilled over and appears to be moving on its own… weird.

His father sends him back to bed and then digs into The Stuff himself. It seems enough is never enough when it comes to this delicious product. Competing businesses can’t figure out how it is made, and have failed to analyze the ingredients. Maybe corporate espionage will help them get a leg up… Enter David ‘Mo’ Rutherford (Moriarty), an expert out to learn the truth.

So, will the charming Mo be able to steal info about The Stuff? Will young Jason convince his family to stop ingesting this white glop? What makes it move on its own, and is it deadly? Will anyone care in this world of unfettered consumerism?

The Stuff features some goofy and dated acting, however this winds up fitting its satirical atmosphere. Themes of ruthless capitalism are on full display, representing American culture very well. While technically this is a horror type story, it is not scary and is instead silly and comedic.

The script is a bit underwhelming considering its core ideas, but it is not a bad time. The characters are exaggerated to match its heightened push of consumerism. Could dialogue and acting be strong? Sure. Is the budget probably a bit restrictive? Yeah. That being said, the practical effects aren’t that bad and it has some decent scenes.

While modern audiences may find it tougher to ingest than those used to 80s films, viewers with an open mind and ability to handle movies of past decades could find a good time here. Not everyone will vibe with its somewhat stiff nature, though some will find its goopy charms edible. I personally find it quite silly and watchable, but admit it could be stronger on most fronts. Come try America’s taste sensation, and discover its secrets.

There is a pre-theatrical alternate cut which runs another 30 minutes longer or so, and includes different music and takes on some shots. I have not watched this version, and for the sake of pacing, I would stick to the theatrical unless it is a subsequent viewing.