The Cable Guy
1996 · Directed by Ben Stiller
Original language: English
- comedy
- drama
- thriller
The story
When recently single Steven moves into his new apartment, cable guy Chip comes to hook him up—and doesn't let go. Initially, Chip is just overzealous in his desire to be Steven's pal, but when Steven tries to end the 'friendship', Chip shows his dark side. He begins stalking Steven, who's left to fend for himself because no one else can believe Chip's capable of such behaviour.
What it’s like
Bright, flat 1990s suburban light, with cheerful pastel apartments, glossy wide-angle compositions and a slightly overexposed sheen that makes everyday rooms feel faintly artificial. Ben Stiller's camera is busy and restless: quick zooms, sudden cuts to Chip's grinning face, and framing that keeps Steven boxed in by furniture, doorways and crowds. The score is jaunty and bouncy, which makes the menace land harder. The vibe is sunny unease, a comedy whose laughs curdle into dread as a sociable, needy man becomes impossible to shake. Tone shifts from slapstick and karaoke-night awkwardness to genuinely uncomfortable stalking, with the pace accelerating through the second half. Violence is moderate and sharp, including a brutal fight and a few shocking escalations, with some crude sexual humour and a prostitute subplot; it is not gory but it is unsettling. Best for people who enjoy dark comedy, frenemy-style tension and social satire, and less suited to anyone wanting something gentle.
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