There's a '90s Dan Aykroyd Movie That's More Nightmare Fuel Than Comedy
I’ll never look at hot dogs the same way again. In the 1980s, Dan Aykroyd was central to some of the decade’s best films. However, one movie stands out not for humor or dark comedy, but for genuine unease: 1991’s Nothing But Trouble.
If you’ve never heard of or seen it, that’s understandable. The film had considerable cable exposure back then and featured a stellar cast including Chevy Chase, Demi Moore, and John Candy. Reluctantly, I admit to watching it more times than it merits. Looking back, it’s less about laughs and more about the unsettling atmosphere — not just because of the poor writing.
All-Star Cast and Unfulfilled Potential
Nothing But Trouble was written and directed by Dan Aykroyd, starring four major actors of the time:
- Chevy Chase, fresh from the classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,
- John Candy, coming off his role in Home Alone,
- Demi Moore, whose previous film was Ghost,
- And Aykroyd himself, who appeared in My Girl earlier that year.
It’s hard to imagine a more successful group of recent projects before these actors reunite for a movie as disappointing as Nothing But Trouble.
Plot Overview
The story is straightforward: Chase and Moore’s characters are on a road trip and end up in a remote town called Valkenvania.
"If you’ve never seen it or even heard of it, I wouldn’t be surprised."
Despite the promising cast, the film fails to deliver as a comedy, leaning instead into moments that feel more frightening than funny.
Author's Summary
This film’s mix of an all-star cast and unsettling tone makes Nothing But Trouble a bizarre and memorable ’90s movie that is more haunting than entertaining.
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