Little Shop of Horrors Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A loser finds a plant that solves all his problems as long as he keeps feeding it people, which is a totally sustainable business plan.

🍿 Little Shop of Horrors: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Meek Florist and a Mysterious Plant

Seymour Krelborn, a timid and clumsy florist assistant working at Mushnik’s Flower Shop on Skid Row, discovers a strange and unique plant after a solar eclipse. He names it Audrey II, after his coworker and secret crush, Audrey. The plant attracts customers, saving the failing flower shop.

The Plant’s Unusual Appetite

Audrey II begins to wither, and Seymour discovers it requires blood to survive. He reluctantly feeds the plant, causing it to grow rapidly and bring even more business to the shop, making Seymour a local celebrity. However, the plant’s appetite soon becomes insatiable, demanding more than just a few drops of blood.

Moral Dilemmas and Deadly Deals

Audrey II begins demanding human blood, promising Seymour fame, fortune, and Audrey’s love in return. Seymour initially refuses, but after witnessing Audrey’s abusive boyfriend, Orin Scrivello, he agrees to feed Orin to the plant. This sets Seymour down a dark path where he must decide if the benefits outweigh the moral cost of keeping Audrey II alive and thriving.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis): A nerdy florist who finds a mysterious plant that brings him success but demands human blood.
• Audrey (Ellen Greene): Seymour’s kind-hearted but insecure coworker and love interest who dreams of a better life.
• Audrey II (Levi Stubbs): A carnivorous, talking plant from outer space that manipulates Seymour for its own insatiable hunger.
• Mushnik (Vincent Gardenia): The greedy and short-tempered owner of the flower shop who exploits Seymour’s discovery for profit.
• Orin Scrivello D.D.S. (Steve Martin): Audrey’s sadistic and abusive dentist boyfriend with a penchant for inflicting pain.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Audrey II: “Feed me, Seymour! Feed me all night long!” – Audrey II’s signature demand, highlighting its insatiable hunger and manipulative nature.
• Audrey II: “If you wanna be profound, If you really wanna be down, Feed me!” – Audrey II attempts to further manipulate Seymour into giving it what it wants, in a musical number
• Orin Scrivello: “I am a dentist, and a success. Give me novacaine!” – Orin proudly proclaims his profession and odd interests in the ‘Dentist!’ song.
• Audrey: “Somewhere that’s green…” – Audrey’s dream of a simple, suburban life, reflecting her longing for a better future.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $39,032,001
• Worldwide Gross: $39,063,518

💥 Little Shop of Horrors Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, seriously, *Little Shop of Horrors* is one of my all-time favorites! I remember watching it as a kid and being totally blown away by Audrey II – that plant was both terrifying and hilarious. The music is so catchy, especially ‘Suddenly Seymour,’ and Steve Martin as the dentist? Forget about it, comedy gold! Every time I watch it, I’m transported back to Skid Row and rooting for Seymour and Audrey to escape that crazy plant. The ending *always* gets me a bit teary-eyed.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of musicals”
  • “Those who enjoy black comedy and dark humor”
  • “People who like quirky and offbeat movies”
  • “Fans of Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, and Ellen Greene”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gore (though often presented comedically)”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Abusive relationships”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A wickedly funny and surprisingly touching musical adaptation. Frank Oz strikes the perfect balance between camp and genuine emotion, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Steve Martin’s dentist is a scene-stealer.
• The New York Times: “This Little Shop has big charm. The music is infectious, the visuals are inventive, and the whole thing is delightfully bizarre. Rick Moranis shines as Seymour, and Ellen Greene perfectly embodies Audrey’s sweet vulnerability.
• RogerEbert.com: “A near-perfect blend of horror, comedy, and musical spectacle. Audrey II is a marvel of puppetry, and Levi Stubbs’ voice gives the plant a truly menacing presence. This is a cult classic for a reason.

Audience Reactions

Steve Martin’s performance as Orin Scrivello, the sadistic dentist, is considered legendary.: The catchy songs and overall campy, fun atmosphere make it a highly rewatchable movie.

Many viewers praise the practical effects used to bring Audrey II to life.: The film masterfully blends dark humor with a heartwarming love story.

Overall Consensus: A beloved cult classic that successfully merges horror, comedy, and musical elements, with strong performances and memorable songs.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Award (Best Original Song – Motion Picture)- 1987

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was based on the off-Broadway musical of the same name, which was itself based on the low-budget 1960 film directed by Roger Corman.”
• “The original ending, which was faithful to the stage musical, was scrapped after test audiences reacted negatively. This ending featured Audrey and Seymour being eaten by Audrey II, and miniature Audrey IIs taking over the world.”
• “The elaborate Audrey II puppets required a team of puppeteers to operate, and the plant’s movements were meticulously choreographed to Levi Stubbs’ vocals.”
• “Several comedic actors, including Steve Martin, Bill Murray, John Candy, and Jim Belushi, made cameo appearances, adding to the film’s quirky and humorous tone.”

🖥️ How to Watch Little Shop of Horrors?

Little Shop of Horrors is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video for rental or purchase. It’s also often available on Apple TV and other digital movie retailers. Check your preferred platform for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Little Shop of Horrors, you might like these similar films:

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Cult classic musical with dark humor and over-the-top characters.
• Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008): A rock opera with dark, macabre themes and stylized visuals, appealing to fans of the musical horror genre.
• Cannibal! The Musical (1993): A dark comedy musical with horror elements, sharing a similar blend of genres and a quirky sense of humor.
• Gremlins (1984): A horror-comedy with a dark tone that becomes increasingly chaotic and bizarre, much like ‘Little Shop’.
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007): A dark and macabre musical with a twisted sense of humor, directed by Tim Burton.

🛒 Little Shop of Horrors Related Products

• Little Shop of Horrors (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Restored high-definition digital transfer, featuring the theatrical cut and the original ending (23 minutes of restored footage). It includes audio commentary, behind-the-scenes documentary and interviews. This collector’s edition is perfect for movie enthusiasts.
• Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II Puppet Plant: A highly detailed replica of Audrey II, perfect for display or cosplay. Comes with posable features and realistic textures. It’s a fun and quirky way to show off your love for the movie.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Little Shop of Horrors – Audrey II: A Funko Pop! vinyl figure of Audrey II, capturing the character’s iconic look. Perfect for displaying on desks or shelves. A must have item for fans.
• Little Shop of Horrors (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Complete soundtrack with all the memorable songs from the movie, including ‘Suddenly Seymour’ and ‘Mean Green Mother from Outer Space’. Experience all the iconic melodies from the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Little Shop of Horrors features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Little Shop of Horrors” – performed by The Three Girls
• “Skid Row (Downtown)” – performed by Company
• “Grow For Me” – performed by Rick Moranis
• “Dentist!” – performed by Steve Martin
• “Suddenly, Seymour” – performed by Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene
• “Feed Me (Git It)” – performed by Levi Stubbs and Rick Moranis
• “Suppertime” – performed by Levi Stubbs
• “The Meek Shall Inherit” – performed by Company
• “Mean Green Mother From Outer Space” – performed by Levi Stubbs

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Audrey II – Shiny (Moana)

If you love Audrey II and ‘Shiny’, this creative crossover is a must-watch! It’s a hilarious and clever take on the iconic song and character, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

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