The Cable Guy

Critics Consensus

The Cable Guy's dark flashes of thought-provoking, subversive wit are often -- but not always -- enough to counter its frustratingly uneven storytelling approach.

53%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 77

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 471,289
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Movie Info

Originally planned as a silly vehicle for Chris Farley, in the hands of director Ben Stiller and star Jim Carrey, The Cable Guy became an opportunity for Carrey to flex some of his darker comedic muscles as stalker Chip Douglas. Matthew Broderick plays Steven, an average Joe who is forlorn over his recent breakup with girlfriend Robin (Leslie Mann). When he moves into a new apartment, Steven comes in contact with Chip, who shows up to hook up the cable. Before he knows it, and whether he likes it or not, Steven has a new best-friend in the obnoxious and clingy Chip. However, Steven soon learns that obnoxious is a walk in the park compared to Chip's behavior when Steven tells him he doesn't want to be his pal anymore. What's worse, no one -- including Robin or his family -- believes Steven when he accuses the seemingly harmless Chip of being a malevolent menace. George Segal and Jack Black also star along with Stiller, who plays twins loosely-based on the Menendez brothers. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (adult situations/language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Ben Stiller
  • Written By:
    Lou Holtz Jr., Lou Holtz
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Cast

Jim Carrey
as Chip Douglas
Matthew Broderick
as Steven Kovacs
Leslie Mann
as Robin Harris
Jack Black
as Rick
George Segal
as Earl Kovacs
Diane Baker
as Mrs. Kovacs
Ben Stiller
as Sam Sweet
George Baker
Harry O'Reilly
as Hal
Janeane Garofalo
as Medieval Waitress
Andy Dick
as Medieval Host
David Cross
as Sales Manager
Owen Wilson
as Robin's Date
Eric Roberts
as Himself
Misa Koprova
as Heather
Amy Stiller
as Steven's Secretary
Keith Gibbs
as Basketball Player
Tommy Hinkley
as Basketball Player
Shawn Michael Howard
as Basketball Player
Jeff Kahn
as Basketball Player
Suli McCullough
as Basketball Player
Jeff Michalski
as Basketball Player
Joel Murray
as Basketball Player
Andrew Shaifer
as Basketball Player
Donna Hardy
as Karaoke Party Guest
Cameron Starman
as Cable Boy
Kathy Griffin
as Cable Boy's Mother
Jeremy Applegate
as Medieval Times Serf
Adam Consolo
as Medieval Times Serf
Michael Fossat
as Medieval Times Serf
Kennedy Kabasares
as Medieval Times Serf
Robert L. Rasner
as Medieval Times Serf
Paul Greco
as Raul
Aki Aleong
as Karaoke Party Guest
Dona Hardy
as Karaoke Party Guest
Lloyd Kino
as Karaoke Party Guest
Sara Lowell
as Karaoke Party Guest
Cynthia Mason
as Karaoke Party Guest
Liza D'Agostino
as Newsroom Researcher
Michael Rivkin
as Karaoke Party Guest
Harper Roisman
as Karaoke Party Guest
Sandra Thigpen
as Karaoke Party Guest
Sean Whalen
as Karaoke Party Guest
Marty Zagon
as Karaoke Party Guest
Staci Flood
as Karaoke Video Dancer
Mary Lee
as Karaoke Video Dancer
Raydeen Revilla
as Karaoke Video Dancer
Darlene Worley
as Karaoke Video Dancer
Cynthia Lamontagne
as Restaurant Hostess
James O'Connell
as Bathroom Attendant
Douglas Robert Jackson
as Bathroom Patron
Charles Napier
as Arresting Officer
Christopher Michael
as Arresting Officer
Charles Robinson
as Steven's Lawyer
John O'Donohue
as Prison Guard
Lydell M. Cheshier
as Jail Inmate
Jason Larimore
as Jail Inmate
Ahmad Reese
as Jail Inmate
Emilio Rivera
as Jail Inmate
Bob Odenkirk
as Steven's Brother
Julie Hayden
as Steven's Sister
Annabelle Gurwitch
as Steven's Sister-in-Law
Blake Boyd
as Steven's Brother-in-Law
Lisa D'Agostino
as Newsroom Researcher
Tabitha Soren
as Herself
Rikki Klieman
as Herself
Robert Simels
as Himself
Leonard O. Turner
as Sam Sweet Judge
Carlo Allen
as Sam Sweet Court Judge
Conrad Janis
as Father `Double Trouble'
Thomas Scott
as Sam at 8 years
Steven Scott
as Stan at 8 years
Christine Devine
as Anchor Woman
Mark Thompson
as Newsroom Reporter
Wendy Walsh
as Reporter Outside Courtroom
Marion Dugan
as Robin's Neighbor
Bill Beasley
as Nuclear Dad
Christine Beasley
as Nuclear Mom
Adam Beasley
as Nuclear Kid
Devon Beasley
as Nuclear Kid
Barbara Babbin
as Bar Patron
Frank Davis
as Bar Patron
Julian Reyes
as Bar Patron
Kyle Gass
as Couch Potato
David Bowe
as Helicopter Paramedic
Robert "Bobby Z" Zajonc
as Pilot
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Critic Reviews for The Cable Guy

All Critics (77) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (36)

  • The Cable Guy is a gutsy move on Carrey's part, suggesting a willingness to grow just where commercial good sense would say to stand pat.

    Mar 10, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    New York Daily News
    Top Critic

  • It barely matters that The Cable Guy fails [to satirize TV], because it is crammed with other pleasures, not least Carrey, who lets us glimpse the human being behind the sociopath.

    Dec 12, 2018

    Ryan Gilbey

    Independent (UK)
    Top Critic

  • Carrey's life-of-a-bad-party manner is a major hoot as he toys with Broderick over legal and illegal installations.

    Dec 12, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Gene Siskel

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • Whether Carrey's fans will like it or not, the film is easily his best crafted piece of work to date.

    Dec 12, 2018 | Full Review…

    Jay Boyar

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

  • To watch Carrey leering with joy at the prospect of making respectable people guess dirty words, and Broderick trying to avoid the whole thing, is to enjoy their best comic synergy.

    Dec 12, 2018 | Full Review…

    Desson Thomson

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • [The Cable Guy] is so repellent as to be almost literally unwatchable. This comedy isn't dark, it's extinguished. It isn't entertainment, it's pathology.

    Dec 12, 2018 | Full Review…

    Joe Morgenstern

    Wall Street Journal
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (77)

Audience Reviews for The Cable Guy

  • Nov 26, 2014
    A satirical comedy from director Ben Stiller, The Cable Guy has a bit of trouble combining the laughs with the social commentary. The story follows Steven Kovacs, who's recently separated from his girlfriend and is befriended by his local cable guy, Chip; but things take a dark turn when Chip shows an unhealthy obsession with Steven. Starring Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, and Leslie Mann, the film has a solid cast that has a good amount of comedic talent (including cameos from Stiller and alumni from is television series). But there are some script issues, as there's a subplot about a Hollywood murder trial that awkwardly forced in. And, the commentary about television addiction feels heavy handed and separated from the main story arc. Yet despite a little unevenness, The Cable Guy delivers some good laughs.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 01, 2013
    Jim Carrey shines as usual, but the film can be easily forgettable with the amount of simplistic humor and tone. The Cable Guy has its moments but is easily brought down from its bland comedy and sometimes creepy undertone. 2.5/5
    Eugene B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 20, 2013
    Jim Carey plays a neglected Cable Guy and is about as annoying as a car alarm going off at 3.00 am. But that is the part he is playing and it would be hard to imagine any other actor in his role. For Carey fans The Cable Guy is right up there with the best. As Chip Douglas he is superb and genuinely makes the audience feel sorry for him. There are many memorable scenes that make me chuckle just thinking about them. The attack in the wash room "squi-bob", the nightmare-come-dreamscape sequence, the basketball game, the Karaoke jam (who knew Carey could sing) and my favourite of the movie, the scene at Medieval Times. For me this is the best and funniest part of the movie. Carey looks brilliant as a knight ... if a little like the main character from Dragon's Lair (a popular 80's arcade classic). Cable Guy was Ben Stiller first big budget director's debut and I feel any short comings on quality can come down to this and his lack of experience at the time i.e. continuity and mase-en-scene. Although many ideas he has brought to the mix are just brilliant. I have watched this movie many times and do find it funny, if a little uncomfortable in places. I like the constant sub-storey of television and how it influences people. For Chip he feels a connection with TV as his mother was never around, makes references like "the babysitter" and consider television a friend. For the character of Steven (played by Matthew Broderick) he reaches for the phone to buy a self-help package following a TV advert when he is at a low point. Talking of Broderick, I am not a lover of him and for me he is poor and unconvincing. The Cable Guy is not a great movie, it looks and feels low-budget, it seems sparse, bland and poorly put together but is a success in other ways. It sets out to be a light-hearted funny movie, that entertains the viewer, has a message and showcases Jim Carey's "rubber-faced" over-the-top comedy skills. On all of these fronts it delivers.
    James C Super Reviewer
  • Aug 11, 2012
    A big hit and miss, yet it's a pretty good cult film. Confusing and not amazing during the first watch. However the second time, it was funnier and certain lines became more recognised. Lets face it, this is for Jim Carrey fans. 'The Cable Guy' is not as iconic as 'Ace Ventura'. It isn't as touching as 'The Truman Show', but you either watch it or you don't, you love it or hate it.
    Samuel R Super Reviewer
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