'Little Shop of Horrors:' An Underrated 80s Masterpiece

Who doesn't love romance and a plant monster?

Finding me in a fun costume on Halloween will always be easy because the annual spooky night will forever be my favorite holiday. In 2022, I decided to be Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors, specifically the 1986 Rick Moranis version of the character. I had the glasses, the brown sweater vest, and even a Funko pop of Audrey 2, which I thought completed the look. Of course, I knew this might not be the most recognizable costume, but it made me happy. Even with that caution in mind, I didn't expect someone to ask me if I dressed up as Jeffery Dahmer. That's when I knew that society was deeply, deeply lost.  

What happens when you encounter a plant that craves human blood? That is the plot for the 1986 film Little Shop of Horrors. The film is an adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same—which itself is a loose adaptation of a 1960 film. We follow Seymour, a geeky florist whose life changes forever when he encounters an abnormal green plant that he names Audrey 2, with the first half of that name coming from his co-worker and crush. Audrey is a caring blonde stuck in an abusive relationship with a dentist, yearning for more in life than what she has right now. When the plant Seymour brought into the shop grows out of control, Seymour is tested to see if he can save the people around him while taming this plant.

Oh, did I mention it's a musical? Please don't let that turn you off from seeing the film because it is honestly the best part, both in terms of the story and how it is essential to film history. When the 1960s concluded, so did film censorship, which exposed the general public to more unfamiliar stories. Nobody had the desire to watch a classic Hollywood musical if they could instead watch a shark terrorize a beach town. So, the musical had to reinvent itself, which is what Little Shop of Horrors did. There is a sense of beauty and grace to it all, even with the gruesome scenes and lack of dance numbers. The Frank Oz film—and let's remember to give Rocky Horror Picture Show some recognition here as well—is a whole new take on the musical genre in film, which is fascinating to witness when looking at the evolution of a movie musical.

It also helps that it is just a spectacular film itself. Using its outlandish narrative to explore some compelling themes, Little Shop of Horrors entrances the audience to feel deeply connected to the characters, particularly Audrey, played by Ellen Greene in an unforgettable performance. Legendary playwright and lyricist Howard Ashman, who also penned the script, highlights the stereotypical aspects of what being a blonde is. The character has a gorgeous bob and a captivating fashion sense, so you would think it easy for her to achieve her dreams of getting out of Skid Row and starting a family with Seymour in suburbia. Yet, she is far from that defined status that being a blonde gives her, as she lives in a tiny apartment and her dentist boyfriend abuses her. It is such an engaging conversation because there has always been this underlying narrative that blondes were always more desirable to men because they exhibit that sense of richness and empowerment. Audrey is not your typical blonde, and she shows that in her solo tune "Somewhere That's Green." Portraying these elements brings out a whole new layer of the story, as we later see Audrey 2 crave the OG Audrey. She is not a fantasy for the people around her. She is a powerful woman, and being blonde will not define who she is. 

There is also the exploration of capitalism and classism, as the setting of Skid Row is barren and run down. Well, that’s until Audrey 2 becomes a huge sensation. The rise of Audrey 2 is startling, as the audience is let in on its secret of craving blood early on, so we see the eerie progression of its power. The powerful voiceover performance from Levi Stubbs accompanies the astonishing puppetry. As a whole, the cast impacts the tone in which it shifts along the story, as they are all so committed to their parts that it makes their performances all the more alluring, driving the story in a way where each story beat feels all the more passionate. 

I could go on and on about Little Shop, as it has everything you could wish for in its blend of genres, and the film demonstrates it all so well. There is a frivolous romance between a gorgeous woman and her short king, the message of staying true to yourself and your morals, and Steve Martin. What else can you ask for? You get sprinkles of camp in a package that is filled with fun. It does not need to be rebooted, although they tried and failed (lol) in 2020 when a remake with Taron Egerton and Chris Evans never even made it out of development. You just can't replicate the charm of this 1986 classic. The 80s had a lot of great films, and so many of them receive the title "classic" now, but sometimes Little Shop of Horrors fails to occupy a spot amongst the greats when it truly deserves to be there in all its glory.

Side note: if you watch this film, there are two endings depending on where you watch it. Please watch the version with the happy ending, which was the theatrical version. It is the superior ending!