The sewers are alive, with the sound of Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers! Released to US theaters on August 31st, 1984, C.H.U.D. is an American horror movie directed by Douglas Cheek and written by Shepard Abbott and Parnell Hall. It stars John Heard and Daniel Stern, along with Christopher Curry, Kim Greist, Laure Mattos, Brenda Currin, and Justin Hall. We even get an appearance from Frankie Faison and a very early appearance from a young John Goodman.
Underneath the bustling streets of New York City, a labyrinth of sewers has long been home to the city’s homeless. But now, something else lurks in the shadows. Something sinister. Something that preys on humans. It resembles a monster, yet it’s humanoid! And it’s cannibalistic. The police are investigating, but it seems they’re concealing something. Now, a photojournalist and his eccentric homeless friend must unravel the mystery and put an end to these horrifying creatures!
C.H.U.D. falls far short of being a good movie. In fact, it’s downright bad. A monster movie about radioactive, cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers should, at the very least, feature the creatures prominently. While the cast, including Daniel Stern and John Heard, delivers solid performances, the film itself is bogged down by excessive sewer-sneaking and political posturing, resulting in a rather dull experience. A missed opportunity for what could have been a far more engaging film.
One of C.H.U.D.’s biggest flaws is biting off more than it can chew. It squanders the creature feature premise and fumbles its attempts to tackle social issues like class division, poverty, and homelessness. The minimal blood and gore, coupled with a lack of genuine scares, leave little to redeem the movie. Perhaps its only saving graces are its off-putting title and a reputation that far surpasses its actual quality. The sole highlight is a scene where Kim Greist decapitates a CHUD.
Should you watch it? Sure, why not? But be prepared for a slow burn, especially for a radioactive cannibal monster movie. RottenPop can’t justify rating this film any higher than one star. Despite some overly generous reviews, C.H.U.D. simply doesn’t deliver on its premise.
C.H.U.D.
Release Date: August 31st, 1984
RottenPop Rating: ★
Director: Douglas Cheek | Writers: Shepard Abbott and Parnell Hall
Starring: John Heard, Daniel Stern, Christopher Curry, Kim Greist, and Laure Mattos
Studios: New World Pictures
Country: USA
Genres: Monster Horror
