There's A '90s Dan Aykroyd Movie That's Supposed To Be A Comedy, But I Think It's Nightmare Fuel
I’ll never see hot dogs the same way again. In the 1980s, Dan Aykroyd was part of some of the decade's best movies, but one film stands out—not for laughs or dark humor, but for being genuinely terrifying: 1991's Nothing But Trouble.
If you’ve never heard of it, that’s understandable. The movie aired frequently on cable back then and featured an all-star cast including Chevy Chase, Demi Moore, and John Candy. I admit I’ve reluctantly watched it more times than it deserves.
Looking back, the film’s horrors linger more than its humor, and it’s not just because of the weak writing.
Star-Studded Cast and Expectations
The movie, written and directed by Dan Aykroyd, brought together four of the era’s biggest stars:
- Chevy Chase, fresh from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, considered one of the best Christmas movies ever.
- John Candy, known for his role in Home Alone.
- Demi Moore, who had just starred in the hit film Ghost.
- Dan Aykroyd himself, who appeared earlier that year in My Girl.
Given their recent successes, it’s hard to imagine such a talented ensemble coming together for a movie as disappointing as Nothing But Trouble.
Plot Overview
The story is simple: Chase and Moore’s characters are on a road trip and end up in a strange, isolated town called Valkenvania.
"It’s not just the crummy writing" that makes the film unsettling.
This dark and odd setting contributes heavily to the film’s unsettling tone, which overshadows its comedic intentions.
Author's summary: Despite its star power, Nothing But Trouble fails as a comedy, leaving a lasting impression of unease rather than laughs.