In one sentence: Little Shop of Horrors follows florist Seymour, who discovers a strange, fast-growing plant that he names Audrey II and as it thrives, it demands increasingly drastic measures to be fed.

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As Halloween approaches, here is an option for those who prefer their films with laughs rather than scares. Little Shop of Horrors may have “horror” in the title, but its heart beats firmly in comedy.

Most will know the story, but for the uninitiated, Seymour Krelborn lives a downtrodden life on Skid Row, working in Mr. Mushnik’s Flower Shop. He is treated like dirt and dreams of escaping the drab, joyless world around him. Two things keep him going: his love of strange plants and his hopeless crush on Audrey, the sweet but battered girlfriend of a sadistic dentist. One day, Seymour discovers a “strange and interesting” plant specimen that seems to have a mind of its own. Thanks to the Jim Henson Company’s Oscar-nominated puppetry, the creature is brought to dazzling, hilarious life. Seymour names it Audrey II, and soon discovers that this particular plant has an appetite for blood. At first, a few pricks of the finger keep it satisfied, but as it grows, so do its demands…and Seymour’s moral dilemma.

I have been lucky to see Little Shop of Horrors in the theatre and it was phenomenal. The movie may not quite match the vocal heights of the stage version, but it makes up for it with strong performances and imaginative design. Rick Moranis is perfect as Seymour, nerdy, well-meaning and oddly endearing. Steve Martin gleefully hams it up as Orin Scrivello, the deranged, leather-clad dentist, delivering an unforgettable turn in the Elvis-inspired number Dentist! that could give anyone a fear of the chair. Keep an eye out for Myriam Margolyes as his dental assistant, and Jim Henson’s daughter, Cheryl, as the unfortunate patient with the elaborate dental contraption.

Ellen Greene, reprising her Broadway role as Audrey, is simply wonderful. She balances vulnerability and charm, with that instantly recognisable voice that seems too delicate to produce such power. Levi Stubbs (of The Four Tops) provides the deep, soulful voice of Audrey II, equal parts menacing and magnetic, making the carnivorous plant one of theatre and cinema’s best- loved villains.

The film is wonderfully over-the-top. It is as mad as a box of frogs, or perhaps, as you could say, a talking plant. Its vibrant sets, witty dialogue and irresistible Alan Menken score make it endlessly rewatchable. Beneath the camp and chaos, though, there is sharp social satire. Set in 1960s America, the story skewers consumerism, capitalism and the moral cost of ambition, all while staying fun and fast-paced. The original stage ending (a darker, more apocalyptic finale, which can still be found) was changed for film audiences following screenings, replaced with a subtler nod that is still successful.

The movie is peppered with cameos, though not all of them work. Bill Murray’s extended appearance as a masochistic dental patient, while amusing in theory, feels indulgent and slightly disrupts the rhythm. Personally, I would have traded his scene for one of the songs cut from the stage show. A famous face may sell tickets, but it does not always make for smoother storytelling.

Little Shop of Horrors is a perfect October watch. It is wild, witty and bursting with colour. It might not top the theatrical experience, but it is a film that continues to stand the test of time, proving that horror and hilarity can bloom from the unlikeliest of places.

★★★★ (4/5)