Slideshow
THE THING
U.S., 1982
Directed by John Carpenter
With Kurt Russell, A. Wilford Brimley, T. K. Carter, David Clennon
Screenplay by Bill Lancaster
Based on the novella by John W. Campbell Jr.
Approx. 109 mins. DCP.
“Workers at a remote Antarctic research station discover a parasitic alien that can invade, assimilate and imitate earthly lifeforms, leading to extreme paranoia as the twelve men try to work out who’s harbouring ‘the thing’. John Carpenter’s groundbreaking adaptation of John W. Campbell’s novella Who Goes There? (previously filmed as THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD) set the benchmark for special makeup effects for years to come, showcasing Rob Bottin’s extravagant parade of grisly, mutating creatures. Underappreciated on its initial release (critics felt the gore effects were overused), THE THING has been re-evaluated in recent years for its undeniably scary premise, bleak setting and foreboding atmosphere of dread, and is now considered one of the 1980s’ best horror films.” – British Film Institute
Presented with support from the Ada Katz Fund for Literature in Film
Reviews
“The solemnity of the frozen wastes contrasts brilliantly with the sweaty paranoia of the men, who are unsure which of their colleagues is next going to erupt with hidden jaws and shooting tendrils.”
– Ed Potton, Times (UK)
“Every October, I revisit John Carpenter’s THE THING to celebrate the month of Halloween, and every year I arrive at the same conclusion: it's one of the most effective horror films ever made.”
– RogerEbert.com