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The Cable Guy

1996·Movie
1h 36min·PG-13
58
DecentGoodWatch score

Watch

Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

The Cable Guy fingerprint

Funny, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace6
  • Violence6

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Catharsis5
  • Pathos4
  • Wholesome3

Humor

Plenty of cringe comedy and dark humor

  • Cringe Humor9
  • Dark Humor8
  • Absurdist Humor7

World

The mind, everyday modern life, and society

  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Standout performances and direction

  • Acting9
  • Direction8
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition5

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

There's no such thing as free cable.

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.
Psychological Thriller ComedyCringe Humor MasterpieceJim Carrey Dramatic TurnSatire of Media SaturationUnsettling Friendship DynamicsDarkly AbsurdSuburban ParanoiaBoundary Violation Narrative

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Cable Guy

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Cable Guy legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Cable Guy worth watching?

58
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 58/100 (IMDb 6.2, Rotten Tomatoes 56%, and Metacritic 56). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Cable Guy rated?

PG-13ViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Cable Guy?

1 h 36 min

The Cable Guy runs 1 h 36 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Cable Guy?

Critics56
Audiences61

Yes. Critics average 56 and audiences 61 out of 100, so both groups see The Cable Guy much the same way.

Was The Cable Guy a box office hit?

Budget$47 million
Box office$103 million

Yes. It cost about $47 million to make and earned $103 million worldwide, 2.2 times its budget.

What language is The Cable Guy in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Cable Guy?

89AEALAOARATAUAZBABEBFBGBOBRBY+75

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Cable Guy in 89 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Cable Guy use?

Character Name AliasBeing Evil SucksSaw "Star Wars" Twenty-Seven TimesHere We Go Again!Camping a CrapperDamsel in DistressThe Un-RevealDramatically Missing the PointArtistic License – GeographyAnti-VillainMy God, What Have I Done?First Law of Tragicomediesand 55 more

TV Tropes lists 67 storytelling tropes for The Cable Guy, including Character Name Alias, Being Evil Sucks, Saw "Star Wars" Twenty-Seven Times.