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.
Acting
Carrey's most physically committed unhinged performance, pre-Truman Show.
Direction
Stiller's music video instincts make Chip's reality feel warped.
Writing
The 'Silence of the Lambs'/'Some Kind of Wonderful' pitch meeting that shouldn't work.
Director
Ben Stiller
Jim Carrey
Cable Guy
Matthew Broderick
Steven
Leslie Mann
Robin
Jack Black
Rick
George Segal
Steven's Father
Diane Baker
Steven's Mother
Ben Stiller
Sam Sweet
Eric Roberts
Eric Roberts
Janeane Garofalo
Medieval Waitress
Andy Dick
Medieval Host
Harry O'Reilly
Steven's Boss
David Cross
Sales Manager
Amy Stiller
Steven's Secretary
Owen Wilson
Robin's Date
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Carrey took a massive pay cut from his $20 million quote to do this, wanting creative control. The studio marketed it as a standard comedy, tanking word-of-mouth when audiences got psychological horror instead.
The 'Silence of the Lambs' parody and O.J. Simpson trial references place this as peak '90s media anxiety—Chip is essentially what happens when someone mistakes sitcom friendship for real connection.
US
