C.H.U.D. Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Radioactive waste turns homeless people into glowing-eyed cannibals who just want to deliver a free colonoscopy, but the government is all like, ‘No free colonoscopies!’

🍿 C.H.U.D.: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mysterious Disappearances

New York City is plagued by a series of unsettling disappearances, primarily affecting the homeless population. Photographer George Cooper and soup kitchen manager A.J. ‘The Reverend’ Shepherd begin to notice a pattern, with many of their acquaintances vanishing without a trace. Their concerns are initially dismissed by authorities, but Captain Bosch of the NYPD takes interest when his own wife becomes a victim.

Investigating the Sewers

Cooper, Shepherd, and Bosch independently delve into the city’s underbelly, uncovering disturbing evidence of monstrous creatures lurking in the sewers. Shepherd’s radiation detector, along with other clues, suggests a link between the disappearances and radioactive contamination. They soon discover that the missing people have become victims of these mutated beings.

Government Conspiracy

The investigation reveals a sinister government conspiracy involving the illegal dumping of toxic waste in the sewers. A representative from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Wilson, attempts to cover up the truth and control the situation. He plans to seal the sewers and use methane gas to eliminate the creatures, disregarding the potential danger to the city’s population.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George Cooper (John Heard): A former fashion photographer turned news photographer investigating the disappearances of homeless people in New York City.
• A.J. ‘The Reverend’ Shepherd (Daniel Stern): A soup kitchen owner who aids the homeless and suspects a government cover-up related to their disappearances.
• Captain Bosch (Christopher Curry): A determined police captain investigating the disappearances, especially after his wife becomes one of the missing.
• Lauren Daniels (Kim Greist): George’s girlfriend, a fashion model, who becomes entangled in the dangerous events unfolding in the city.
• Wilson (George Martin): An overly glib and weasely type working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who is orchestrating the cover-up.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Captain Bosch: “Are you kidding? Your guy’s got a camera. Mine’s got a flamethrower.” – Said to George Cooper, highlighting their different approaches to the investigation.
• A.J. ‘The Reverend’ Shepherd: “Thank God they deliver!” – A sarcastic line after being rescued by George Cooper from a pair of homeless men turning into CHUDs, referencing his soup kitchen.
• Wilson: “We’re sealing off the area.” – Said with cold disregard for human life as the government prepares to bury the truth.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.25M
• Domestic Gross: $4.65M
• Worldwide Gross: $4.65M

💥 C.H.U.D. Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I saw C.H.U.D. late one night on TV, and I was hooked! The glowing eyes freaked me out as a kid, and the idea of monsters living under the city was terrifying. I loved Daniel Stern as the soup kitchen guy – he totally stole the show. While the plot is bit cheesy, the atmosphere is still spooky, and it’s a fun ride. If you like 80s horror with practical effects, this is a must-see!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1980s horror movies”
  • “Viewers interested in creature features”
  • “Those who enjoy B-movies with a cult following”
  • “Those who appreciate practical effects in horror films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing creature imagery”
  • “Themes of government conspiracy”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Fangoria: “C.H.U.D. delivers classic 80s creature feature thrills. The practical effects are delightfully gruesome, and the urban setting adds a layer of gritty realism. While the plot is a bit predictable, the monster designs and suspenseful atmosphere more than make up for it.
• AllMovie: “A solid entry in the monster movie subgenre, C.H.U.D. benefits from a strong cast and some genuinely creepy moments. It is an effective blend of horror and social commentary, tackling issues of homelessness and government corruption. The film’s low budget is evident, but the filmmakers use it to their advantage, creating a claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere.
• TV Guide: “A watchable, but ultimately underwhelming horror effort. The C.H.U.D.s themselves are not particularly scary, and the plot meanders at times. The film’s performances are decent, but the script lacks the wit and originality to elevate it above other similar movies.

Audience Reactions

The practical effects are amazing; they really bring the C.H.U.D.s to life!: Fans love the blend of horror, mystery, and the surprisingly good performances from the cast.

Daniel Stern’s performance as ‘The Reverend’ is the standout of the movie!: The film’s gritty urban setting and eerie atmosphere contribute significantly to its cult appeal.

Overall Consensus: C.H.U.D. is a cult classic 80s horror film praised for its practical effects, urban setting, and strong performances, although some find the plot and monster designs to be a bit cheesy.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The acronym ‘C.H.U.D.’ was conceived during a party with actors Daniel Stern and John Heard. The trio then brainstormed a movie idea around the word.”
• “John Heard and Daniel Stern were not happy with what had been done to the original script and did their own page re-writes and ad-libs, which director Douglas Cheek left in the final cut.”
• “John Goodman and Jay Thomas, both sitcom stars, appear in bit parts as unlucky cops during the diner scene, relatively early in their careers.”

🖥️ How to Watch C.H.U.D.?

As of October 2024, ‘C.H.U.D.’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable TV options, as it occasionally appears on horror-themed channels. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed C.H.U.D., you might like these similar films:

• Alligator (1980): A giant alligator terrorizes a city after being flushed down the toilet as a baby, similar to the urban monster theme.
• The Toxic Avenger (1984): A mutated creature becomes a hero, dealing with themes of toxic waste and social outcasts.
• They Live (1988): Deals with social commentary and government cover-ups similar to the themes explored in C.H.U.D.
• Mimic (1997): Genetically engineered insects mutate and threaten the population beneath the city, sharing the theme of urban monsters.

🛒 C.H.U.D. Related Products

• C.H.U.D. [Blu-ray]: Arrow Video’s Blu-ray edition features a high-definition transfer, uncompressed mono PCM audio, and a brand new set of crew interviews, making it the definitive version for fans.
• C.H.U.D. Action Figure: Highly detailed C.H.U.D. action figure, featuring glowing eyes and gruesome details, complete with sewer diorama base. A must-have for horror collectors.
• C.H.U.D. T-Shirt: Officially licensed C.H.U.D. T-shirt featuring the iconic poster art. Made from high-quality materials for a comfortable fit.
• C.H.U.D. Sewer Adventure – The Board Game: A cooperative board game where players take on the roles of the film’s heroes to survive against the C.H.U.D.s. Use strategy and teamwork to escape the sewers!

🎧 Soundtrack

C.H.U.D. features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Cooper Hughes
• “Sewer Exploration” – performed by Cooper Hughes
• “Diner Attack” – performed by Cooper Hughes

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Ever wondered about some behind-the-scenes secrets of C.H.U.D.? This video spills the beans on 10 things you probably never knew, and some of them are seriously mind-blowing! I never would have guessed #5!

You Could Say C.H.U.D. is an Underground Movie…

Thinking about checking out C.H.U.D. but not sure if it’s your thing? The Horror Geek breaks down the movie, and gives an honest review. Is it a cult classic, or just plain garbage? Find out in this video.

Top 10 Things You Missed In “Us” (2019)

Did you know C.H.U.D. got a shout-out in Jordan Peele’s “Us”? This video points out the C.H.U.D. easter egg, along with other cool references you might have missed. It’s a neat reminder that even older movies can leave a mark!

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