Stunning ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Tattoos

If there’s one movie that incorporates B-Movie thrills, black comedy, the Motown sounds of the 1960’s and a love of horticulture, it’s “Little Shop of Horrors.” While the 1986 film directed by Frank Oz and starring Rick Moranis as our hero, Seymour, is the most popular version to exist, and for good reasons, it’s actually an adaptation of the 1982 off-broadway musical, which is itself an adaption of the 1960 film “The Little Shop of Horrors.” As the saying goes, the third time’s the charm.

Oz’s film pays homage to the B-movies that came before it, as florist Seymour, pining over his beautiful co-worker, Audrey, finds a mysterious plant after a solar eclipse. Wanting to impress Audrey, he creatively names the plant Audrey II. However, despite Seymour’s best efforts, the plant slowly withers. After cutting his finger one night on Audrey II’s thorns, Seymour realizes that the only thing that can keep the plant alive is blood, and as the plant continues to grow, he needs lots of it. With the fame and fortune Audrey II brings, Seymour is willing to do anything it takes to keep him alive, that is, until the fate of the world is at stake.

The soundtrack only adds to the story and encapsulates the 1960s setting by paying tribute to the Motown sound and girl groups like The Supremes. Classic songs, and theatre kid karaoke staples, include “Suddenly Seymour,” “Somewhere That’s Green,” and “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space,” an original song written for the movie and the first song nominated for an Academy Award to contain profanities.

The technical feats are impressive as multiple puppets are used to display Audrey II’s growth throughout the movie, going from a simple hand puppet in a pot to a massive 13-foot puppet with thick vines and buds that dwarfed the actors in comparison and required 60 puppeteers to bring to life. The production teams went out of their way to make the practical effects out of this world and it only adds to the high stakes these characters face.

However, the characters are the main draw as audiences easily relate to the struggles Seymour and Audrey face as they long for pastures greener than the Skid Row they call home. However, it’s the villain of the movie, Audrey II, who steals the show and almost has us rooting for him to succeed. I mean who couldn’t love a foul-mouth, bass register, alien plant that feeds off humans? His iconic statement, “Feed Me,” has taken on a life of its own, even appearing on the abdomen of Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliot.

Like any cult classic, fans show their love for the movie by getting Audrey IIs that range from adorable to menacing and in a variety of styles. We have gathered up some of the best tattoos of “Little Shop of Horrors” we could find to show our love for this classic campy horror musical.