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| producer = Andrew Bonime
| producer = Andrew Bonime
| screenplay = [[Parnell Hall (writer)|Parnell Hall]]
| screenplay = [[Parnell Hall (writer)|Parnell Hall]]
* [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]]
| story = Shepard Abbott
| story = Shepard Abbott
| starring = {{plainlist|
| starring = {{plainlist|
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* [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]]
* [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]]
* [[Christopher Curry (actor)|Christopher Curry]]
* [[Christopher Curry (actor)|Christopher Curry]]
* [[John Goodman]]
}}<!-- Per poster billing block. Please do not change. -->
}}<!-- Per poster billing block. Please do not change. -->
| music = {{plainlist|
| music = {{plainlist|
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| gross = $4.7 million<ref name=numbers/>
| gross = $4.7 million<ref name=numbers/>
}}
}}
'''''C.H.U.D.''''' is a 1984 American [[science fiction]] [[horror film]] directed by [[Douglas Cheek]], produced by [[Andrew Bonime]], and starring [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]], [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]], and [[Christopher Curry (actor)|Christopher Curry]] in his film debut. The plot concerns a New York City police officer and a homeless shelter manager who team up to investigate a series of disappearances, and discover that the missing people have been killed by humanoid monsters that live in the sewers.<ref>{{Citation|last=Cheek|first=Douglas|title=C.H.U.D.|date=1984-08-31|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087015/|type=Horror, Sci-Fi|publisher=C.H.U.D. Productions, New World Pictures|access-date=2021-12-15}}</ref>
'''''C.H.U.D.''''' is a 1984 American [[science fiction]] [[horror film]] directed by Douglas Cheek, produced by Andrew Bonime, and starring [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]], [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]], and [[Christopher Curry (actor)|Christopher Curry]] in his film debut. The plot concerns a New York City police officer and a homeless shelter manager who team up to investigate a series of disappearances, and discover that the missing people have been killed by humanoid monsters that live in the sewers.


The title of the movie is an abbreviation that stands for '''C'''annibalistic '''H'''umanoid '''U'''nderground '''D'''wellers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gelder|first=Lawrence Van|date=1984-09-01|title=FILM: 'C.H.U.D.,' A TALE OF STRANGE CREATURES|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/01/movies/film-chud-a-tale-of-strange-creatures.html|access-date=2021-12-15|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
The title of the movie is an abbreviation for "cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gelder|first=Lawrence Van|author-link=Lawrence Van Gelder|date=1984-09-01|title=Film: 'C.H.U.D.,' A Tale of Strange Creatures|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/01/movies/film-chud-a-tale-of-strange-creatures.html|access-date=2021-12-15|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


The film was released in North America on August 31, 1984 and grossed $4.7 million. It was followed in 1989 by a sequel titled ''[[C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.]]''.
''C.H.U.D.'' was released in North America on August 31, 1984, and grossed $4.7 million. It was followed in 1989 by a sequel titled ''[[C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.]]''.


==Plot==
==Plot==
The film opens with a woman, Flora Bosch, walking her dog down an empty, darkened city street. As she passes by a [[manhole]], a creature attacks Mrs. Bosch and drags her and the dog into the sewers.
A woman, Flora Bosch, is walking her dog down an empty, darkened city street. As she passes by a [[manhole]], a creature attacks Mrs. Bosch and drags her and the dog into the sewers.


George Cooper, a once-prominent fashion photographer, has since forgone fame and fortune and is living with his girlfriend Lauren. His current project is photographing [[New York City|New York City's]] [[homeless]] population, specifically those known as "undergrounders", or people who reside in the city's sewers and subway tunnels.
George Cooper, a once-prominent fashion photographer, has since forgone fame and fortune and is living with his girlfriend Lauren. His current project is photographing [[New York City]]'s [[homeless]] population, specifically those known as "undergrounders", or people who reside in the city's sewers and subway tunnels.


[[New York City Police Department|NYPD]] Captain Bosch has a personal interest in the recent flood of missing persons being reported to his precinct, as Flora—his wife—is also missing. Bosch interviews A.J. "The Reverend" Shepherd, who runs the local homeless shelter. A.J. believes that the recent events are part of a massive government cover-up and has the evidence to prove it. Bosch's superiors know more than they are letting on and seem to be taking their cues from Wilson, who works for the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]] (NRC).
[[New York City Police Department|NYPD]] Captain Bosch has a personal interest in the recent flood of missing persons being reported to his precinct, as Flora—his wife—is also missing. Bosch interviews A.J. "The Reverend" Shepherd, who runs the local homeless shelter. A.J. believes that the recent events are part of a massive government cover-up and has the evidence to prove it. Bosch's superiors know more than they are letting on and seem to be taking their cues from Wilson, who works for the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]] (NRC).
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==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]] as George Cooper
* [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]] as George Cooper
* [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]] as A.J. "The Reverend" Shepherd
* [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]] as A.J. "The Reverend" Shepherd
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* [[Kim Greist]] as Lauren Daniels
* [[Kim Greist]] as Lauren Daniels
* J.C. Quinn as Murphy
* J.C. Quinn as Murphy
* [[Michael O'Hare]] as Fuller
* [[Michael O'Hare]] as Officer Fuller
* [[Peter Michael Goetz]] as Gramps
* [[Peter Michael Goetz]] as Gramps
* [[Sam McMurray]] as Officer Crespi
* [[Sam McMurray]] as Officer Crespi
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* [[Graham Beckel]] as Val
* [[Graham Beckel]] as Val
* [[Jon Polito]] as Newscaster
* [[Jon Polito]] as Newscaster
* [[George Martin (american actor)|George Martin]] as Wilson
* [[George Martin (American actor)|George Martin]] as Wilson
* [[John Bedford Lloyd]] as Shadow
* [[John Bedford Lloyd]] as Shadow
* Laure Mattos as Flora Bosch
* Laure Mattos as Flora Bosch
* Cordis Heard as Cop
* Cordis Heard as Cop
* Wayne Brown as CHUD
* Wayne Brown as CHUD
*[[Patricia Richardson]] as ad woman
* [[Patricia Richardson]] as ad woman
}}


==Release==
==Release==
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===Home media===
===Home media===
''C.H.U.D.'' was released for home video on [[Betamax]] and [[VHS]] by [[Media Home Entertainment]] in 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RyQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40-IA6|title=Horrorbeat|last=McCullaugh|first=Jim|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=November 2, 1985|page=HV-4}}</ref> The film was released on [[DVD]] by [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] on January 30, 2001. The company released the film again in 2008 as a part of its ''Cult Fiction'' series.<ref name="allmoviedvd">{{cite web|title=C.H.U.D. (1984) - Douglas Cheek|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/chud-v7734/releases|website=Allmovie.com|publisher=AllMovie|access-date=11 November 2017}}</ref> [[Image Entertainment]] would release the film in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/26128/image-entertainment-s-midnight-madness-series-resurrects-80-s-horror-classics/|title=Image Entertainment's Midnight Madness Series Resurrects '80's Horror Classics|last=Hallam|first=Scott|work=[[Dread Central]]|date=2011-08-11|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> and in 2012, with the later release being a part of a two-disc multi-feature alongside ''[[Children of the Corn (1984 film)|Children of the Corn]]'', ''[[Creepshow 2]]'', and ''[[House (1986 film)|House]]''.<ref name="allmoviedvd" /> A two-disc [[Special Edition]] was released on [[Blu-ray]] by [[Arrow Video]] on November 22, 2016.<ref name="allmoviedvd" /><ref name="specialedition">{{cite web|url=https://amazon.com/CHUD-Blu-ray/dp/B09JBKBDW8?|title=Amazon.com: C.H.U.D. [Blu-ray]|website=Amazon.com|publisher=Amazon}}</ref> That version is now out of print. A new one disc Blu-ray was released on November 9, 2021.
''C.H.U.D.'' was released for home video on [[Betamax]] and [[VHS]] by [[Media Home Entertainment]] in 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RyQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40-IA6|title=Horrorbeat|last=McCullaugh|first=Jim|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=November 2, 1985|page=HV-4}}</ref> The film was released on [[DVD]] by [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] on January 30, 2001. The company released the film again in 2008 as a part of its ''Cult Fiction'' series.<ref name="allmoviedvd">{{cite web|title=C.H.U.D. (1984) - Douglas Cheek|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/chud-v7734/releases|website=Allmovie.com|publisher=AllMovie|access-date=11 November 2017}}</ref> [[Image Entertainment]] would release the film in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/26128/image-entertainment-s-midnight-madness-series-resurrects-80-s-horror-classics/|title=Image Entertainment's Midnight Madness Series Resurrects '80's Horror Classics|last=Hallam|first=Scott|work=[[Dread Central]]|date=2011-08-11|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> and in 2012, with the later release being a part of a two-disc multi-feature alongside ''[[Children of the Corn (1984 film)|Children of the Corn]]'', ''[[Creepshow 2]]'', and ''[[House (1986 film)|House]]''.<ref name="allmoviedvd" /> A two-disc [[Special Edition]] was released on [[Blu-ray]] by [[Arrow Video]] on November 22, 2016.<ref name="allmoviedvd" /><ref name="specialedition">{{cite web|url=https://amazon.com/CHUD-Blu-ray/dp/B09JBKBDW8?|title=Amazon.com: C.H.U.D. [Blu-ray]|website=Amazon.com|date=23 November 2021 |publisher=Amazon}}</ref> That version is now out of print. A new one disc Blu-ray was released on November 9, 2021.


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{expand section|date=November 2017}}
{{expand section|date=November 2017}}
[[Rotten Tomatoes]], a [[review aggregator]], reports a 29% approval rating based on 14 reviews; the average rating is 3.89/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chud|title=C.H.U.D. (Chud) (1984)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=2019-07-10}}</ref> [[Lawrence Van Gelder]] from ''[[The New York Times]]'' stated in his review for the film, "''C.H.U.D.'' makes no pretension toward serious thesis about government or the environment. It is meant to be light commercial entertainment, and in the category of horror films it stands as a praiseworthy effort".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gelder|first1=Lawrence|title=Movie Review - C H U D - FILM: 'C.H.U.D.,' A TALE OF STRANGE CREATURES - NYTimes.com|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A05E1DB1038F932A3575AC0A962948260&partner=Rotten%2520Tomatoes|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=1984-09-01|access-date=2014-11-07}}</ref> Keith Phipps of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' wrote, "Perfect for bleary-eyed late-night viewing and pretty much unwatchable at any other hour."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://avclub.com/review/chud-dvd-17605|title=C.H.U.D. (DVD)|last=Phipps|first=Keith|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=2002-04-19|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> Patrick Naugle of [[DVD Verdict]] called it a fun film that focuses more on entertainment than deeper issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dvdverdict.com/reviews/chud.php|title=C.H.U.D.|last=Naugle|first=Patrick|work=[[DVD Verdict]]|date=2001-10-12|access-date=2014-11-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111073859/https://dvdverdict.com/reviews/chud.php|archive-date=2014-11-11}}</ref> Joshua Rothkopf of ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out New York]]'' included it in ''Time Out''{{'}}s list of best New York-set films, calling it "more funny than scary".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timeout.com/newyork/film/new-york-movies-c-h-u-d-video|title=C.H.U.D. (1984), starring John Heard and Daniel Stern (VIDEO)|last=Rothkopf|first=Joshua|work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out New York]]|date=2012-07-03|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> [[Bloody Disgusting]] rated it 4.5/5 stars and called it "definitely one of b-movies best kept secrets".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/108568/c-h-u-d-2/|title=C.H.U.D.|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|author=<!-- Staff -->|date=2004-10-22|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref>
[[Rotten Tomatoes]], a [[review aggregator]], reports a 29% approval rating based on 14 reviews; the average rating is 3.89/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chud|title=C.H.U.D. (Chud) (1984)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=2019-07-10}}</ref> [[Lawrence Van Gelder]] from ''[[The New York Times]]'' stated in his review for the film, "''C.H.U.D.'' makes no pretension toward serious thesis about government or the environment. It is meant to be light commercial entertainment, and in the category of horror films it stands as a praiseworthy effort".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gelder|first1=Lawrence|title=Movie Review - C H U D - FILM: 'C.H.U.D.,' A TALE OF STRANGE CREATURES - NYTimes.com|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A05E1DB1038F932A3575AC0A962948260&partner=Rotten%2520Tomatoes|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=1984-09-01|access-date=2014-11-07}}</ref> Keith Phipps of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' wrote, "Perfect for bleary-eyed late-night viewing and pretty much unwatchable at any other hour."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://avclub.com/review/chud-dvd-17605|title=C.H.U.D. (DVD)|last=Phipps|first=Keith|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=2002-04-19|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> Patrick Naugle of [[DVD Verdict]] called it a fun film that focuses more on entertainment than deeper issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dvdverdict.com/reviews/chud.php|title=C.H.U.D.|last=Naugle|first=Patrick|work=[[DVD Verdict]]|date=2001-10-12|access-date=2014-11-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111073859/https://dvdverdict.com/reviews/chud.php|archive-date=2014-11-11}}</ref> Joshua Rothkopf of ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out New York]]'' included it in ''Time Out''{{'}}s list of best New York-set films, calling it "more funny than scary".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timeout.com/newyork/film/new-york-movies-c-h-u-d-video|title=C.H.U.D. (1984), starring John Heard and Daniel Stern (VIDEO)|last=Rothkopf|first=Joshua|work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out New York]]|date=2012-07-03|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> [[Bloody Disgusting]] rated it 4.5/5 stars and called it "definitely one of b-movies best kept secrets".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/108568/c-h-u-d-2/|title=C.H.U.D.|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|author=<!-- Staff -->|date=2004-10-22|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref>


It won Best Fantasy Film at [[Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film]] in 1985.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}
It won Best Fantasy Film at [[Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film]] in 1985.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}
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== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2017}}
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2017}}
A sequel, ''[[C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.]]'', was released in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifi-movies.com/english/short.php?data=chud21989film |title=C.H.U.D. II - Bud the Chud directed by David Irving, 1989: SciFi - Movies |publisher=Scifi-movies.com |date=2010-03-23 |access-date=2010-10-08}}</ref> Although ''C.H.U.D.'' was negatively received during its initial release, it attracted a [[cult film|cult following]] over the years, inspired the name of a film website<ref>[http://www.chud.com CHUD.com]</ref> (which changed the acronym's meaning to Cinematic Happenings Under Development) and a political epithet,<ref>{{cite news|title=The Doubt of a 'Bernie Bro': A hard-charging Sanders supporter questions whether his tactics help or hurt|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-doubt-of-a-bernie-bro-a-hard-charging-sanders-supporter-questions-whether-his-tactics-help-or-hurt/2020/03/07/0e89cbea-57e6-11ea-8585-993ff9ec93f9_story.html|last=Samuels|first=Robert|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|date=2020-03-07|access-date=2021-10-22}}</ref> and references to it have appeared in ''[[The Simpsons]]'',<ref>{{Citation|title=The Simpsons - Pimps and Chuds|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8blGwrG1WZs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/8blGwrG1WZs| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-04-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[The CW]]'s ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'', ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]'', ''[[Clerks II]]'', ''[[Castle (TV series)|Castle]]'', ''[[Archer (2009 TV series)|Archer]]'', ''[[Futurama]]'', ''[[Pushing Daisies]],'' ''[[Outer Banks (TV series)|Outer Banks]]'', ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'', and ''[[Rick and Morty]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-13|title=Why Rick & Morty's Horse Cannibals Are Called CHUDS In Episode 5|url=https://screenrant.com/rick-morty-chud-cult-horror-movie-differences-reference/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> Martin Cooper's score was later named number 33 in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s 35 Greatest Horror Soundtracks.<ref name="greathorrorsoundtracks">{{cite web|title=35 Greatest Horror Soundtracks: Modern Masters, Gatekeepers Choose Composers, reissue-labels and synth-savvy musicians pick best in fright|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/35-greatest-horror-soundtracks-modern-gatekeepers-choose-w446407/chud-martin-cooper-and-david-hughes-1984-w446514|last1=Weingarten|first1=Christopher|last2=Soderberg|first2=Brandon|last3=Smith|first3=Steve|last4=Beta|first4=Andy|last5=Battaglia|first5=Andy|last6=Grow|first6=Kory|last7=Orlov|first7=Piotr|last8=Epstein|first8=Dan|website=Rollingstone.com|publisher=Rolling Stone|access-date=11 November 2017}}</ref> The film was also the subject of an April Fool's hoax announcement by [[The Criterion Collection]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.criterionforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14417|title=Criterion Collection CHUD Release|work=Criterion Forum}}</ref> In 2007, [[Rob Zombie]] was rumored to be considering a remake,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/10413/rumor-control-rob-zombie-will-not-direct-c-h-u-d-remake/|title=Rumor Control: Rob Zombie Will NOT Direct 'C.H.U.D.' Remake|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=2007-11-09|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> and, in 2008, a different remake was rumored to be in production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/11793/c-h-u-d-remake-becomes-urban-decay/|title=C.H.U.D. Remake Becomes 'Urban Decay'?|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=2008-04-01|access-date=2014-10-10}}</ref> In 2014, an original, collectible poster for the film was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/51460/incredible-c-h-u-d-poster-crawls-up-from-the-depths/|title=Incredible C.H.U.D. Poster Crawls Up From the Depths|last=Barton|first=Steve|work=[[Dread Central]]|date=2014-02-07|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> C.H.U.D appears in the 2003 video game ''[[Tony Hawk's Underground]]'' under the name T.H.U.D.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/tony-hawks-underground/screenshots/gameShotId,521022/|title=Tony Hawk's Underground Screenshots for Windows - MobyGames|website=MobyGames|access-date=2018-07-10}}</ref> A VHS copy of ''C.H.U.D.'' appears in the opening shot of Jordan Peele's 2019 horror film [[Us (2019 film)|Us]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/03/us-horror-movie-chud|title=The Obscure 80s Horror Film That Unlocks the Meaning of Us|last=Murphy|first=James S.|website=HWD|date=25 March 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref>
A sequel, ''[[C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.]]'', was released in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scifi-movies.com/english/short.php?data=chud21989film |title=C.H.U.D. II - Bud the Chud directed by David Irving, 1989: SciFi - Movies |publisher=Scifi-movies.com |date=2010-03-23 |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=2017-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112021253/http://www.scifi-movies.com/english/short.php?data=chud21989film |url-status=dead }}</ref> Although ''C.H.U.D.'' was negatively received during its initial release, it attracted a [[cult film|cult following]] over the years, inspired the name of [[CHUD.com|a film website]]<ref>[http://www.chud.com CHUD.com]</ref> (which changed the acronym's meaning to Cinematic Happenings Under Development) and a political epithet,<ref>{{cite news|title=The Doubt of a 'Bernie Bro': A hard-charging Sanders supporter questions whether his tactics help or hurt|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-doubt-of-a-bernie-bro-a-hard-charging-sanders-supporter-questions-whether-his-tactics-help-or-hurt/2020/03/07/0e89cbea-57e6-11ea-8585-993ff9ec93f9_story.html|last=Samuels|first=Robert|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|date=2020-03-07|access-date=2021-10-22}}</ref> and references to it have appeared in ''[[The Simpsons]]'',<ref>{{Citation|title=The Simpsons - Pimps and Chuds|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8blGwrG1WZs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/8blGwrG1WZs| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-04-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[The CW]]'s ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'', ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]'', ''[[Clerks II]]'', ''[[Castle (TV series)|Castle]]'', ''[[Archer (2009 TV series)|Archer]]'', ''[[Futurama]]'', ''[[Pushing Daisies]],'' ''[[Outer Banks (TV series)|Outer Banks]]'', ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'', and ''[[Rick and Morty]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-13|title=Why Rick & Morty's Horse Cannibals Are Called CHUDS In Episode 5|url=https://screenrant.com/rick-morty-chud-cult-horror-movie-differences-reference/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> Martin Cooper's score was later named number 33 in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s 35 Greatest Horror Soundtracks.<ref name="greathorrorsoundtracks">{{cite web|title=35 Greatest Horror Soundtracks: Modern Masters, Gatekeepers Choose Composers, reissue-labels and synth-savvy musicians pick best in fright|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/35-greatest-horror-soundtracks-modern-gatekeepers-choose-w446407/chud-martin-cooper-and-david-hughes-1984-w446514|last1=Weingarten|first1=Christopher|last2=Soderberg|first2=Brandon|last3=Smith|first3=Steve|last4=Beta|first4=Andy|last5=Battaglia|first5=Andy|last6=Grow|first6=Kory|last7=Orlov|first7=Piotr|last8=Epstein|first8=Dan|website=Rollingstone.com|publisher=Rolling Stone|access-date=11 November 2017}}</ref> The film was also the subject of an April Fool's hoax announcement by [[The Criterion Collection]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.criterionforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14417|title=Criterion Collection CHUD Release|work=Criterion Forum}}</ref> In 2007, [[Rob Zombie]] was rumored to be considering a remake,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/10413/rumor-control-rob-zombie-will-not-direct-c-h-u-d-remake/|title=Rumor Control: Rob Zombie Will NOT Direct 'C.H.U.D.' Remake|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=2007-11-09|access-date=2014-11-10}}</ref> and, in 2008, a different remake was rumored to be in production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/11793/c-h-u-d-remake-becomes-urban-decay/|title=C.H.U.D. Remake Becomes 'Urban Decay'?|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=2008-04-01|access-date=2014-10-10}}</ref> C.H.U.D. appears in the 2003 video game ''[[Tony Hawk's Underground]]'' under the name T.H.U.D.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/tony-hawks-underground/screenshots/gameShotId,521022/|title=Tony Hawk's Underground Screenshots for Windows - MobyGames|website=MobyGames|access-date=2018-07-10}}</ref> A VHS copy of ''C.H.U.D.'' appears in the opening shot of Jordan Peele's 2019 horror film ''[[Us (2019 film)|Us]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/03/us-horror-movie-chud|title=The Obscure 80s Horror Film That Unlocks the Meaning of Us|last=Murphy|first=James S.|website=HWD|date=25 March 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref>

The found footage horror film [[Dwellers (film)|''Dwellers'']] has been publicly referenced by its writer and director [[Drew Fortier]] as being heavily influenced by C.H.U.D.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3594250/trailer-dwellers-produced-megadeths-david-ellefson-video/|title=Trailer for 'Dwellers', Produced by Megadeth's David Ellefson [Video]|last=Miska|first=Brad|date=2019-11-15|website=Bloody Disgusting!|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Julian |first=Giallo |date=2022-04-27 |title=4 Subterranean Features To Pair With 'C.H.U.D.' [Double That Feature] |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/editorials/426353/4-subterranean-features-to-pair-with-c-h-u-d-double-that-feature/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Dread Central |language=en-US}}</ref>


The anthology ''C.H.U.D. LIVES!: A Tribute Anthology'', edited by Joe Mynhardt, was released in 2018 and featured an introduction by [[David Drake]], an interview with the late C.H.U.D. movie producer Andrew Bonime, an interview horror author [[Eric S. Brown]] did with C.H.U.D. screenwriter [[Parnell Hall (writer)|Parnell Hall]] and nineteen stories set in the universe of the movie C.H.U.D. Contributors included Robert E. Waters, Nick Cato, Ryan C. Thomas, David Robbins, Christopher Fulbright, Angeline Hawkes, Greg Mitchell, Alex Laybourne, Michael H. Hanson, Ben Fisher, [[Tim Waggoner]], Jason White, Mort Castle, David Bernstein, Martin Powell, Chad Lutzke, J.G. Faherty, Phillip C. Perron, Ross Baxter, [[Jonathan Maberry]], and Eugene Johnson.<ref>''C.H.U.D. LIVES!: A Tribute Anthology'' edited by Joe Mynhardt, Crystal Lake Publishing, 2018.</ref>
The found footage horror film [[Dwellers (film)|''Dwellers'']] has been publicly referenced by its writer and director [[Drew Fortier]] as being heavily influenced by C.H.U.D.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3594250/trailer-dwellers-produced-megadeths-david-ellefson-video/|title=Trailer for 'Dwellers', Produced by Megadeth's David Ellefson [Video]|last=Miska|first=Brad|date=2019-11-15|website=Bloody Disgusting!|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Julian |first=Giallo |date=2022-04-27 |title=4 Subterranean Features To Pair With ‘C.H.U.D. [Double That Feature] |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/editorials/426353/4-subterranean-features-to-pair-with-c-h-u-d-double-that-feature/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Dread Central |language=en-US}}</ref>


The upcoming film ''[[Bunker Heights]]'' has been regarded by [[Dread Central]] as being a spiritual successor to C.H.U.D.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Julian |first=Giallo |date=2024-01-22 |title=Crime and Creatures Galore in 'Bunker Heights' [New Blood News] |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/472414/crime-and-creatures-galore-in-bunker-heights-new-blood-news/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Dread Central |language=en-US}}</ref>
The anthology ''[[C.H.U.D. LIVES!]]: A Tribute Anthology'', edited by Joe Mynhardt, was released in 2018 and featured an introduction by [[David Drake]], an interview with the late C.H.U.D. movie producer Andrew Bonime, an interview horror author [[Eric S. Brown]] did with C.H.U.D. screenwriter [[Parnell Hall (writer)|Parnell Hall]] and nineteen stories set in the universe of the movie C.H.U.D. Contributors included Robert E. Waters, Nick Cato, Ryan C. Thomas, David Robbins, Christopher Fulbright, Angeline Hawkes, Greg Mitchell, Alex Laybourne, Michael H. Hanson, Ben Fisher, [[Tim Waggoner]], Jason White, Mort Castle, David Bernstein, Martin Powell, Chad Lutzke, J.G. Faherty, Phillip C. Perron, Ross Baxter, [[Jonathan Maberry]], and Eugene Johnson.<ref>''C.H.U.D. LIVES!: A Tribute Anthology'' edited by Joe Mynhardt, Crystal Lake Publishing, 2018.</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 100: Line 104:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{AFI film|57036|C.H.U.D.}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{Amg title|7734|C.H.U.D.}}
* {{AllMovie title}}
* {{IMDb title|0087015|C.H.U.D.}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|chud|C.H.U.D.}}
* {{Mojo title|chud}}
* {{Mojo title}}


[[Category:1984 films]]
[[Category:1984 films]]
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[[Category:Films about cannibalism]]
[[Category:Films about cannibalism]]
[[Category:Films about homelessness]]
[[Category:Films about homelessness]]
[[Category:Films about mutants]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:New World Pictures films]]
[[Category:New World Pictures films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]
[[Category:1984 science fiction films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction horror films]]

Latest revision as of 14:45, 26 August 2024

C.H.U.D.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDouglas Cheek
Screenplay byParnell Hall
Story byShepard Abbott
Produced byAndrew Bonime
Starring
CinematographyPeter Stein
Edited byClaire Simpson
Music by
Distributed byNew World Pictures
Release date
  • August 31, 1984 (1984-08-31)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.25 million[1]
Box office$4.7 million[1]

C.H.U.D. is a 1984 American science fiction horror film directed by Douglas Cheek, produced by Andrew Bonime, and starring John Heard, Daniel Stern, and Christopher Curry in his film debut. The plot concerns a New York City police officer and a homeless shelter manager who team up to investigate a series of disappearances, and discover that the missing people have been killed by humanoid monsters that live in the sewers.

The title of the movie is an abbreviation for "cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers".[2]

C.H.U.D. was released in North America on August 31, 1984, and grossed $4.7 million. It was followed in 1989 by a sequel titled C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D..

Plot

[edit]

A woman, Flora Bosch, is walking her dog down an empty, darkened city street. As she passes by a manhole, a creature attacks Mrs. Bosch and drags her and the dog into the sewers.

George Cooper, a once-prominent fashion photographer, has since forgone fame and fortune and is living with his girlfriend Lauren. His current project is photographing New York City's homeless population, specifically those known as "undergrounders", or people who reside in the city's sewers and subway tunnels.

NYPD Captain Bosch has a personal interest in the recent flood of missing persons being reported to his precinct, as Flora—his wife—is also missing. Bosch interviews A.J. "The Reverend" Shepherd, who runs the local homeless shelter. A.J. believes that the recent events are part of a massive government cover-up and has the evidence to prove it. Bosch's superiors know more than they are letting on and seem to be taking their cues from Wilson, who works for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

It turns out that monsters are lurking beneath the streets: beings that were once human, but have been mutated by radioactive, chemical toxic waste into hideous, flesh-eating creatures that prey on the homeless who live in the underground. Given the recent drop in the underground transient population, the creatures have resorted to coming to the surface through sewer manholes to feed. Through a series of events, both George and A.J. find themselves trapped in the sewers, a reporter gets involved and eaten, and Lauren has a problem with both a clogged shower drain and a mutant that comes up through the sewer access point that she opened in the basement of her apartment building.

A.J. and George meet up and discover that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is directly involved in the slaughter that has been going on. Although the political bureaucracy has forbidden the NRC to transport the toxic wastes through New York because of the large-scale danger to the public, it has secretly been hiding the waste by-products, marked as "Contamination Hazard Urban Disposal", beneath Manhattan in the abandoned subway tunnels. The underground homeless population has been coming into contact with these by-products, turning them into the mutated creatures. To protect this secret, Wilson plans to seal the sewers, open up some gas lines and asphyxiate the C.H.U.D.s and any witnesses of their existence, despite the inherent danger to the city. In the meantime, Lauren is attacked by the mutants in her apartment and narrowly escapes them.

Later that evening at a diner, two police officers and the waitress are killed and carried off by the mutants, finally drawing the public's attention to the disappearances. George and A.J. recover a camera set left behind by an NRC crew slain by the mutants during a previous clean-up attempt and use it to report their findings to Bosch. Confronted by Bosch, Wilson runs off, and later shoots Bosch while the latter helps A.J. and George escape from a manhole. Wilson then tries to run George and A.J. over with a truck, but A.J. fatally shoots Wilson with Bosch's gun, and the truck explodes as it drives into the manhole.

Cast

[edit]

Release

[edit]

Theatrical release

[edit]

C.H.U.D. was given a limited release theatrically by New World Pictures beginning in August 1984. The film opened at #13 at the box office, grossing $1,762,922 with an average gross of $5,686 in 310 theaters.[3] Its second week saw it dropping to #14 at the box office, with a gross of only $834,465 and a worldwide gross of $2,846,756.[4]

Home media

[edit]

C.H.U.D. was released for home video on Betamax and VHS by Media Home Entertainment in 1984.[5] The film was released on DVD by Anchor Bay Entertainment on January 30, 2001. The company released the film again in 2008 as a part of its Cult Fiction series.[6] Image Entertainment would release the film in 2011,[7] and in 2012, with the later release being a part of a two-disc multi-feature alongside Children of the Corn, Creepshow 2, and House.[6] A two-disc Special Edition was released on Blu-ray by Arrow Video on November 22, 2016.[6][8] That version is now out of print. A new one disc Blu-ray was released on November 9, 2021.

Reception

[edit]

Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports a 29% approval rating based on 14 reviews; the average rating is 3.89/10.[9] Lawrence Van Gelder from The New York Times stated in his review for the film, "C.H.U.D. makes no pretension toward serious thesis about government or the environment. It is meant to be light commercial entertainment, and in the category of horror films it stands as a praiseworthy effort".[10] Keith Phipps of The A.V. Club wrote, "Perfect for bleary-eyed late-night viewing and pretty much unwatchable at any other hour."[11] Patrick Naugle of DVD Verdict called it a fun film that focuses more on entertainment than deeper issues.[12] Joshua Rothkopf of Time Out New York included it in Time Out's list of best New York-set films, calling it "more funny than scary".[13] Bloody Disgusting rated it 4.5/5 stars and called it "definitely one of b-movies best kept secrets".[14]

It won Best Fantasy Film at Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film in 1985.[citation needed]

Legacy

[edit]

A sequel, C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D., was released in 1989.[15] Although C.H.U.D. was negatively received during its initial release, it attracted a cult following over the years, inspired the name of a film website[16] (which changed the acronym's meaning to Cinematic Happenings Under Development) and a political epithet,[17] and references to it have appeared in The Simpsons,[18] The CW's The Flash, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Clerks II, Castle, Archer, Futurama, Pushing Daisies, Outer Banks, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Rick and Morty.[19] Martin Cooper's score was later named number 33 in Rolling Stone's 35 Greatest Horror Soundtracks.[20] The film was also the subject of an April Fool's hoax announcement by The Criterion Collection.[21] In 2007, Rob Zombie was rumored to be considering a remake,[22] and, in 2008, a different remake was rumored to be in production.[23] C.H.U.D. appears in the 2003 video game Tony Hawk's Underground under the name T.H.U.D.[24] A VHS copy of C.H.U.D. appears in the opening shot of Jordan Peele's 2019 horror film Us.[25]

The found footage horror film Dwellers has been publicly referenced by its writer and director Drew Fortier as being heavily influenced by C.H.U.D.[26][27]

The anthology C.H.U.D. LIVES!: A Tribute Anthology, edited by Joe Mynhardt, was released in 2018 and featured an introduction by David Drake, an interview with the late C.H.U.D. movie producer Andrew Bonime, an interview horror author Eric S. Brown did with C.H.U.D. screenwriter Parnell Hall and nineteen stories set in the universe of the movie C.H.U.D. Contributors included Robert E. Waters, Nick Cato, Ryan C. Thomas, David Robbins, Christopher Fulbright, Angeline Hawkes, Greg Mitchell, Alex Laybourne, Michael H. Hanson, Ben Fisher, Tim Waggoner, Jason White, Mort Castle, David Bernstein, Martin Powell, Chad Lutzke, J.G. Faherty, Phillip C. Perron, Ross Baxter, Jonathan Maberry, and Eugene Johnson.[28]

The upcoming film Bunker Heights has been regarded by Dread Central as being a spiritual successor to C.H.U.D.[29]

See also

[edit]
  • The Time Machine, an 1895 novel featuring subterranean cannibals ("Morlocks") who prey on surface-dwellers.
  • Shaver mystery, a 1940s-era purportedly-true series of stories about subterranean cannibals ("Deros") who prey on surface-dwellers.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "C.H.U.D." The Numbers. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
  2. ^ Gelder, Lawrence Van (1984-09-01). "Film: 'C.H.U.D.,' A Tale of Strange Creatures". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  3. ^ "C.H.U.D. (1984) - Weekend Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo". Boxofficemojo.com. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for September 7-9, 1984 - Box Office Mojo". Boxofficemojo.com. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  5. ^ McCullaugh, Jim (November 2, 1985). "Horrorbeat". Billboard. p. HV-4.
  6. ^ a b c "C.H.U.D. (1984) - Douglas Cheek". Allmovie.com. AllMovie. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  7. ^ Hallam, Scott (2011-08-11). "Image Entertainment's Midnight Madness Series Resurrects '80's Horror Classics". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  8. ^ "Amazon.com: C.H.U.D. [Blu-ray]". Amazon.com. Amazon. 23 November 2021.
  9. ^ "C.H.U.D. (Chud) (1984)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  10. ^ Gelder, Lawrence (1984-09-01). "Movie Review - C H U D - FILM: 'C.H.U.D.,' A TALE OF STRANGE CREATURES - NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
  11. ^ Phipps, Keith (2002-04-19). "C.H.U.D. (DVD)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  12. ^ Naugle, Patrick (2001-10-12). "C.H.U.D." DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on 2014-11-11. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  13. ^ Rothkopf, Joshua (2012-07-03). "C.H.U.D. (1984), starring John Heard and Daniel Stern (VIDEO)". Time Out New York. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  14. ^ "C.H.U.D." Bloody Disgusting. 2004-10-22. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  15. ^ "C.H.U.D. II - Bud the Chud directed by David Irving, 1989: SciFi - Movies". Scifi-movies.com. 2010-03-23. Archived from the original on 2017-11-12. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
  16. ^ CHUD.com
  17. ^ Samuels, Robert (2020-03-07). "The Doubt of a 'Bernie Bro': A hard-charging Sanders supporter questions whether his tactics help or hurt". Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  18. ^ The Simpsons - Pimps and Chuds, archived from the original on 2021-12-12, retrieved 2021-04-12
  19. ^ "Why Rick & Morty's Horse Cannibals Are Called CHUDS In Episode 5". ScreenRant. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  20. ^ Weingarten, Christopher; Soderberg, Brandon; Smith, Steve; Beta, Andy; Battaglia, Andy; Grow, Kory; Orlov, Piotr; Epstein, Dan. "35 Greatest Horror Soundtracks: Modern Masters, Gatekeepers Choose Composers, reissue-labels and synth-savvy musicians pick best in fright". Rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  21. ^ "Criterion Collection CHUD Release". Criterion Forum.
  22. ^ Miska, Brad (2007-11-09). "Rumor Control: Rob Zombie Will NOT Direct 'C.H.U.D.' Remake". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  23. ^ Miska, Brad (2008-04-01). "C.H.U.D. Remake Becomes 'Urban Decay'?". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2014-10-10.
  24. ^ "Tony Hawk's Underground Screenshots for Windows - MobyGames". MobyGames. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  25. ^ Murphy, James S. (25 March 2019). "The Obscure 80s Horror Film That Unlocks the Meaning of Us". HWD. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  26. ^ Miska, Brad (2019-11-15). "Trailer for 'Dwellers', Produced by Megadeth's David Ellefson [Video]". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
  27. ^ Julian, Giallo (2022-04-27). "4 Subterranean Features To Pair With 'C.H.U.D.' [Double That Feature]". Dread Central. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  28. ^ C.H.U.D. LIVES!: A Tribute Anthology edited by Joe Mynhardt, Crystal Lake Publishing, 2018.
  29. ^ Julian, Giallo (2024-01-22). "Crime and Creatures Galore in 'Bunker Heights' [New Blood News]". Dread Central. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
[edit]