There's A '90s Dan Aykroyd Movie That's Supposed To Be A Comedy, But I Think It's Nightmare Fuel

In the 1980s, Dan Aykroyd played a key role in some of the decade’s best films. However, one of his 1991 movies, Nothing But Trouble, stands out not for its humor but for its unsettling tone. This film, which is neither a successful comedy nor a dark comedy, is instead deeply disturbing.

If you haven't heard of it, that’s understandable. Though it aired frequently on cable at the time, its all-star cast included Chevy Chase, Demi Moore, and John Candy. I have watched it more times than it deserves, and recalling it now, the scares overshadow any laughs. The film’s flaws extend beyond poor writing.

Written and directed by Dan Aykroyd, the movie features four major stars of the era:

Chevy Chase was fresh off National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, one of the most beloved Christmas movies ever made.
John Candy had just appeared in Home Alone.
Demi Moore’s previous film was the acclaimed Ghost.
Aykroyd himself starred in My Girl earlier that year.

It’s difficult to imagine a more successful group of actors coming together for a film as disappointing as Nothing But Trouble.

Plot Summary

The story is straightforward: Chevy Chase and Demi Moore’s characters are on a road trip and end up in a remote, eerie town called Valkenvania.

"I’ll never see hot dogs the same way again."

This line captures the unsettling nature of the movie that transforms a simple road trip into a nightmarish experience.

Author’s Summary

This film combines top talent with awkward execution, creating an unsettling experience that lingers longer than any intended laughs.

Would you like the summary to be more neutral or have a stronger personal tone?

Cinemablend — 2025-11-04