The Thing (1982)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Zach B

  
  I will be honest and say that I feel very terrible for this film. The reason why is because this film was released around the same time Steven Spielberg made his famous film ET: Extra Terrestrial and that film set in the minds of people that aliens were cute and cuddly little… More
  I will be honest and say that I feel very terrible for this film. The reason why is because this film was released around the same time Steven Spielberg made his famous film ET: Extra Terrestrial and that film set in the minds of people that aliens were cute and cuddly little creatures that are misunderstood. Then comes this little horror film that basically destroyed all of those idea and made aliens completely terrifying creatures that are hell bent on taking over. John Carpenter's THE THING was subjected to numerous critics that ripped on and disowned this film. Some saying that it is an unneeded re-adaption and remake of the film The Thing From Another Planet. Some that say that the special effects are bad. Me, I have nothing but respect for this film due to how it, over time, changed the basis for claustrophobia films, horror films, and special effects. And to think that some of these stunts were done by puppets and not CGI. Okay, the first good thing about this film is the atmosphere. Carpenter is known for setting the mood for films, and this is one in which he nails it almost as perfectly as he did in Halloween. The use of the music, the completely isolated cold, the fact that all of the men in this film (no female characters at all. Thank God) can not trust one another, it all works. Now, as I said, this is just a retelling of the story of a group of scientist that get stuck in the arctic and has to figure out who is the alien and who is not. The original was pretty good for it's time, but today, it just seems dated and bad. I love older films, but that one bores me to death. Here, you have the same story only told much better, feels like it was made during this day and age, and still able to scare the life out of you. That is what a horror film should be and this is one of Carpenter's greatest examples of that. Kurt Russel is something of an idol to me in terms of an actor. He has stared in countless films, some good like Elvis, some terrible like Sky High, and some that are out of this world like Grindhouse: Death Proof. Here though, he gives his all time best performance to date. He embodies all of the fears of not trusting anyone yet the courage to take control and to figure things out. Russel gives one hell of a performance that outshines the rest of this excellent cast and it is a crime that he, being Russel, got no awards for this performance. He is truly outstanding. Then you have the special effects. As I said, this film is remembered due to the disturbing yet realistic effects that, to this day, still look impressive and wonderful. One thing I love about horror films is that it takes a lot creativity to think of ways how to scare your audience. With this film, they come up with a few tricks that includes a dog's head being split open, testing people's blood, and the complete creation of the creature. In the end of the day, this is still a wonderful horror film that, while now it is honored as the masterpiece it is, was sadly turned a cold shoulder on when originally released. The only other thing I have to say is that: if you get scared or disturbed easily, then I don't recommend this film. There is a reason why Carpenter is known as the master of horror, people!

• Shauna R

  
  Atmospheric, engaging, utterly creepy, a stone cold horror classic. The Thing in my opinion is John Carpenter's finest hour. His direction is superb, every shot is meticulously crafted, Carpenter masterfully creates growing suspense and paranoia. Thematically it may be an alien… More
  Atmospheric, engaging, utterly creepy, a stone cold horror classic. The Thing in my opinion is John Carpenter's finest hour. His direction is superb, every shot is meticulously crafted, Carpenter masterfully creates growing suspense and paranoia. Thematically it may be an alien horror but at its core, and what makes the film so fascinating is the human element, the characters decreasing trust in one another. Kurt Russell leads the cast with a very strong, low-key performance (his most iconic role in my humble opinion, though Snake Plissken is a close second) as RJ Macready the level-headed helicopter pilot who is the epitome of masculinity. There is not a weak link in the whole cast. A timeless and refreshing chiller, in my top five of all time.

• Phil H

  
  Total remake of an old horror/sci-fi film using an age old idea/fear of an alien creature infiltrating a human base and then humans themselves, suppose to make your skin crawl. A bit of a failure at the box office upon release but this was mainly down to the tough competition of… More
  Total remake of an old horror/sci-fi film using an age old idea/fear of an alien creature infiltrating a human base and then humans themselves, suppose to make your skin crawl. A bit of a failure at the box office upon release but this was mainly down to the tough competition of 'Blade Runner' and the friendly alien 'E.T.', despite that the film came into its own once hitting the video market and became something of a cult. Personally I think its a good solid film but its never appealed greatly due to its shape shifting alien that is simply surreal to the extreme. Of course the effects are the main showcase of the film and back in 82 they were pretty special, by today's standards on a recent viewing they have aged badly and do look (of course) rather plastic and fake BUT they do still hold up as, unlike cgi, they are actually real. The imagination of Bottin is clearly let loose big time for the alien as he goes way off the wall coming up with all manner of combinations aimed at making you feel uneasy, and it does work. Utilizing spider forms, snake/eel forms, things growing or under the skin, being violated and having something germinate within you etc...all good stuff to make you squirm. The suspense and bleakness is handled well by a young Carpenter (much like 'The Fog') and examines how quickly people break down and turn on each other. All the set work is cruel n cold looking, good location work and with nice elements of 'Alien' used throughout including the isolated oddball crew at the base which does remind you of the 'Nostromo' crew. Its definitely a thriller of a ride with some stand out moments which leave you wanting to know more about the creature and its background. The film just loses its wallop near the end as the creature doesn't look quite as cool as previous incarnations, edging down the B-movie route a touch but the one thing I do like about the film is the way Carpenter bookended it. Its pretty much open at both the start and finish leaving you to think about what came before and what happens after, the final sequence with Russell and David is quite original and unique as the heroes/main leads pretty much fail. Best moment in the film for me has to be the Norris chest bursting sequence revealing a large razor toothed maw where his torso once was, highly original and, at the time, quite surprising.

• Sam r

  
  Regardless of the fact that The Thing was unsuccessful at the box office,John Carpenter's masterpiece has truly made a great impact on both science-fiction and horror. For starters, John Carpenter the master of horror themed movies, such as Halloween, so the scares in this… More
  Regardless of the fact that The Thing was unsuccessful at the box office,John Carpenter's masterpiece has truly made a great impact on both science-fiction and horror. For starters, John Carpenter the master of horror themed movies, such as Halloween, so the scares in this film are expected to be rather high. As a result, he succeeds, and he fails. The main achievement of the film is creating the paranoia amongst the characters, unaware who is infected or not. Visually, the film is incredible but grotesque and can be seen more as a vomit movie than a scare movie. The film has also, like Alien, left behind several questions that have been left unanswered, such as the Norwegian camp. The film has also left behind such memorable yet disturbing scenes, from the mutating dog, to the spider head, to the infamous blood test scene. However, most would argue how its a poorly made film when compared to the original movie 'The Thing from another world'. In fact, John Carpenter's version is far more faithful to the novel 'Who Goes There?' it has been considered to be one of the best Sci-Fi Horrors films made. When it comes to a story, the script is rather strong; a group of men working in Antartica, who witness a helicopter chasing after a dog. Afterwards, the party witness some truly horrific, to the ruined Norwegian camp, to the mutant dog attack. Although all actors gave very promising roles, Kurt Russell and Keith David gave possibly something more than that. John Carpenter's masterpiece has not only changed two genres, it has become a rather large cult film and is one of the finest remakes, which is superior to its predecessor. Positives: Superb visuals A fantastic remake A master of creating paranoia Negatives: Visually very disturbing Not mentally terrifying

• Graham J

  
  Amazing special effects and suspense with minimal breaks, this film grabs you and doesn't let go.

• Dan S

  
  A shock-fest galore concerning a group of researchers (led by Kurt Russell) who unknowingly let a monstrous being into their camp, where it wrecks havoc on their trust in one another as it takes living in one of the scientists, only they, nor the one it possesses, is aware of it.… More
  A shock-fest galore concerning a group of researchers (led by Kurt Russell) who unknowingly let a monstrous being into their camp, where it wrecks havoc on their trust in one another as it takes living in one of the scientists, only they, nor the one it possesses, is aware of it. Carpenter's creativity when it comes to letting the gore rip, coupled with the film's realistic, assured plotting, help compensate for its lack of character development, as well as firm explanation as to why these scientists are here to begin with. Still, Russell's workmanlike performance is perfect considering the film relies more on action and scares, and the ending is satisfying and definitely explosive. Still, it has its problems, but not enough to say it isn't worth the view. Horror film fans will be in Heaven while watching this.

• Christopher H

  
  John Carpenter in his finest hour. This film makes great use of its isolated Antarctic setting that gives the feel of isolation and no escape. The effects used for the monster are spectacular for its technicality and repulsiveness. If you have a weak stomach, this movie is not for… More
  John Carpenter in his finest hour. This film makes great use of its isolated Antarctic setting that gives the feel of isolation and no escape. The effects used for the monster are spectacular for its technicality and repulsiveness. If you have a weak stomach, this movie is not for you. The monsters different transformations and forms are creative and hideous to look at. The story may be a bit slow for some, but the story is loaded with suspense and intrigue. The film greatly benefits from a strong cast of characters, especially from Keith David and Kurt Russell. Kurt Russell plays a tough guy hero, but gives enough down-to-earth personality that his character never comes across as cliche. The music is like hearing your own pulse, it gives a really dark ambient atmosphere that compliment the Antarctic setting beautifully. The Thing offers great sci-fi horror thrills while also offers a compelling insight into the darkness of the human mind.

• Reid V

  
  Atmospheric, full of mystery, superbly directed, and fantastic make-up and effects. This folks may be one of Carpenter's best. It features an ensemble cast of some of the best character actors the 80's had to offer. And yes, what review would be complete without discussing… More
  Atmospheric, full of mystery, superbly directed, and fantastic make-up and effects. This folks may be one of Carpenter's best. It features an ensemble cast of some of the best character actors the 80's had to offer. And yes, what review would be complete without discussing the main man himself Kurt Russell. He is brooding, seething with rage, and his nihilistic attitude is nothing to fuck with. All in all, a real treat for fans of horror and sci-fi.

• KJ P

  
  As scientists journey into the arctic, they discover a creature which they presume to be dead. On their way to find it, it provides many winks to the audience as it reflects the 1951 original film. It serves as both a remake and a potential sequel if some audiences give it the lea-way… More
  As scientists journey into the arctic, they discover a creature which they presume to be dead. On their way to find it, it provides many winks to the audience as it reflects the 1951 original film. It serves as both a remake and a potential sequel if some audiences give it the lea-way that it needs. I found this film to be a fantastic update on what was already a classic horror flick. It has some of the most disturbing images I have ever seen on screen, and the bone-chilling creatures will make your gut turn. The characters are likeable even though, like any horror movie, you come to hate some of them. The terror is brilliant, the creatures are grusomly frightening, the story is brilliant if you have seen the original, and the film definitely earns it's R-rating. "The Thing" is a fantastic (not perfect) film with an open ending that I was very unsure about, leaving the audience with that much more suspense. This film is awesome!

• Liam G

  
  A thrilling, frightening, intense horror classic.

• Spencer S

  
  I'm not a great believer in John Carpenter's B-Movie philosophy, his rag tag filmography that is lackluster to the point of incredulity. Still, no one can protest his brilliance when it comes to horror movies. Besides this thoughtfully provoking film he is also credited with… More
  I'm not a great believer in John Carpenter's B-Movie philosophy, his rag tag filmography that is lackluster to the point of incredulity. Still, no one can protest his brilliance when it comes to horror movies. Besides this thoughtfully provoking film he is also credited with directing Halloween, The Fog, and They Live, and many more, each with something atypical in comparison to other horror films of that period of time. The Thing is a labor of love, moody, throat clamping, and amazingly tense. Instead of being comically miscast and/or a ridiculous character without any semblance of reason, Kurt Russell is brash, burly, and angry, but without being an overacting cliche. As it is, the film has a set tone, conveyed in the lack of buildup music, instead relying on a very creepy score, which runs throughout the equally creepy beginning. There are only questions to answer as the plot moves along, and we're introduced to an alien organism that takes over living things and morphs into them. In its basic form it looks like a very bad piece of ham, complete with whipping tentacle arms, skinless faces, and blood and gore to boot. The special effects on this are technically dated, with CGI taking over where nuance and subtly once hung their hat. Still, I think that using original techniques made it more realistic, especially when the Thing announces its presence by transforming from the human form back into its globular state. The best part of The Thing's structure, is the fact that it can take over people, which means this has the strange parallel of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, while still retaining original content when this being emerges, sticks to the ceiling, or grows appendages and scuttles away. Much of the film relies on cutting away and not revealing anything to the audience, which was a smart choice to build tension within this small group up in the Antarctic.

• Justin Y

  
  John Carpenter's <i>The Thing</i> is an instant classic in a long line of thriller films.<p>The meat of the plot is heavy on the science fiction, and the story that grows from it has all the makings of a fun time. Making efficient use of its 100 minute run… More
  John Carpenter's <i>The Thing</i> is an instant classic in a long line of thriller films.<p>The meat of the plot is heavy on the science fiction, and the story that grows from it has all the makings of a fun time. Making efficient use of its 100 minute run time, <i>The Thing</i> steadily sets up the story, as well as builds up the characters. True, there isn't a whole lot unveiled about them, but they do grow with the film.</p><p>The creature effects are freakish, bloody, and simply phenomenal. If there is something to remember in this picture, aside from its opening and closing theme song, it's this.</p><p>"Fine! Windows, you come with us. You, me and Nauls will check the outside. Palmer, you and Childs check the inside. Norris, you stay here and watch Gary, Clark and the Doc. Any one of them moves or tries to break free, you fry 'em and then cut loose on the sirens. We all meet back here in 20 minutes... regardless! And everybody watch who you're with... real close." Kurt Russell gives the MacReady character the appropriate personality and dialogue delivery to bear this movie himself. He doesn't do it alone though, because the rest of the supporting cast fit nicely into this production.</p><p><i>The Thing</i> is one of those films that deserves a viewing. Anyone for a blood test?</p>

• Unknown H

  
  Always on horror movie lists, this film is worth watching but has never been an instant favourite of mine. Suspense was invented through movies like this and if you don't mind waiting for your thrills, this movie will be fine by you.

• Taylor R

  
  I'm not quite sure why I love this movie so much. Carpenter is a subdued but deliberate director, and this is one of the prettiest horror movies I've ever seen. The effects look pretty cheesy, but they're so creative in design, and the camera spends so little time on… More
  I'm not quite sure why I love this movie so much. Carpenter is a subdued but deliberate director, and this is one of the prettiest horror movies I've ever seen. The effects look pretty cheesy, but they're so creative in design, and the camera spends so little time on them, that interest in them stays high throughout. Carpenter does an excellent job in building menace and keeping tension high; the alien is a character in its own right. And I'm sorry, but the ending is awesome. Like, really unbelievably awesome.

• Cameron S

  
  I enjoyed it but I didn't find it as amazing as it is supposed to be, maybe I should watch the original.

• David L

  
  'The Thing' came out in 1982. Back then, John Carpenter was already a quite famous director, with hits like 'Assault on Precinct 13' or 'Halloween'. And with the success of 1981's 'Escape from New York, Universal Studios gave Carpenter a free… More
  'The Thing' came out in 1982. Back then, John Carpenter was already a quite famous director, with hits like 'Assault on Precinct 13' or 'Halloween'. And with the success of 1981's 'Escape from New York, Universal Studios gave Carpenter a free pass to adapt John W. Campbell Jr.'s short story 'Who Goes There?'. The problem is that 'The Thing' came out only two weeks after Steven Spielberg's 'E.T.: The Extra- Terrestrial'. Therefore, 'The Thing' was a massive fail with the public, and also didn't go well with the critics, saying it was too gore and violent. Now, 28 years have passed, and 'The Thing' acquired a cult status, having the recognition it always deserved - as one of the best John Carpenter movies. 'The Thing' follows a group of American researchers in Antarctica that are confronted by a blood-thirsty alien creature that assumes the identity of whoever it kills. Now, they don't know who to thrust, and if the other researchers are human or alien. The movie's screenplay is based on a short story by John W. Campbell. Written in 1951, and adapted firstly for the big screen in the same year, this story clearly represents the fear of communists taking over America. But Carpenter's movie came out in 1982, so the Cold War fear is long gone, and he adapts the story in a much more present way. The paranoia subject here is also treated very nicely. The feeling of getting stuck with an alien and to don't know in who to trust builds up along the movie perfectly. There are a few things still unexplained about the movie's story, which proves how well-written this is and also explains why there are so many fans of this. The writing here also allowed John Carpenter to create some of the most scary sequences ever. The cast here is not very big and is composed only by males, and is headed by Kurt Russell, back then a rising star that also had the leading role in Carpenter's previous movie, 'Escape from New York'. He does his job pretty well, as so did all the other actors. Of course this isn't the kind of movie that depends on the acting in order to work - it's all about the writing and the directing. Aside from Russell, that aren't many famous actors, maybe with the exception of Keith David. A name that is worth mentioning is Wilford Brimley. He was certainly the best member of the cast. John Carpenter's directing work is, as always, incredible. He has a very strong style, that is present in every single frame of this movie. He manages to create completely scary sequences out of the nowhere, and it's his directing that keeps the movie going. The movie, like every Carpenter one, has that claustrophobic feel to it, and the way Carpenter handles the characters is simply amazing. The opening sequence - with the helicopter chasing the dog, is one of the best opening sequences in the horror movie industry - it settled the mood perfectly, and showed this was no ordinary horror film. The mood in here is also built by all the other aspects of the movie. The creature design is one of the best in movie's history, and the animations are perfect. As there was no CGI, the movie utilizes makeup to create the illusion of the creatures, and is considered until today a landmark on makeup special effects. It couldn't be better. Ennio Morricone's original music score also did it pretty well, with the use of bass chords pretty common on Carpenter's previous films. The cinematography is also excellent, with a dark and scary mood. Overral, 'The Thing' is easily one of John Carpenter's best movies. The reception of the movie when it first came out wasn't really fair to what this movie is. But now people finally realized how good this movie is, acquiring a well-deserved cult status. The excellent writing, along with the good acting and Carpenter's perfect directing make this one of the best and most scary horror movies ever made.

• Mister C

  
  Director John Carpenter's remake of the classic 1951 film of the same title(The Thing From Another World)that was released on the same day as "Blade Runner" when it hit theatres during the June of 1982. And while it is a remake,Carpenter brings his own brand of suspense… More
  Director John Carpenter's remake of the classic 1951 film of the same title(The Thing From Another World)that was released on the same day as "Blade Runner" when it hit theatres during the June of 1982. And while it is a remake,Carpenter brings his own brand of suspense to the foray,in which Kurt Russell,Wilford Brimley,Richard Dysart ,Richard Masur and T.K. Carter battle an alien presence in the Antarctic that winds up facing some very disturbing creatures in the vast unknown. Written by Burt Lancaster's son William Lancaster and featuring an Ennio Morricone score(one of the few times Carpenter used music other than his own for a film). And since it opened on the same day as "Blade Runner",it didn't do that well at the boxoffice since the film went up against Steven Spielburg's fantasy/science-fiction family adventure flick "E.T."which was the Number One movie at the boxoffice in June of 1982. Anyways,"The Thing" went on to become a clut following and it is regarding as one of the great science-fiction/horror films that came out of the "Class of 1982"(Its right up there with "Blade Runner", "Tron",and "Poltergeist".)

• Mark W

  
  During the 1980's John Carpenter was one of the finest directors working in movies. He was a craftsman with wonderfully inventive ideas and abilities. With "The Thing" he delivered his finest moment in showing how a horror film should be made. An American scientific… More
  During the 1980's John Carpenter was one of the finest directors working in movies. He was a craftsman with wonderfully inventive ideas and abilities. With "The Thing" he delivered his finest moment in showing how a horror film should be made. An American scientific expedition to the frozen wastes of the Antarctic is interrupted by a group of seemingly mad Norwegians pursuing and shooting a dog. The dog survives but the scientists soon wish they hadn't taken it in as it's been taken over by a deadly alien entity who can take the shape of any being it wants, leaving the scientists fighting for their lives against an unknown enemy. A masterpiece in suspense and one of the finest horror films ever made. When John Carpenter was in his prime, no-one came close to his unrelenting horror genius and this is him at his very best. He wasn't a director to just go for cheap shocks or scares. He liked to use pychological devices for his horror films, to make them more effective and get into the psyche of his viewers. The exchange of bodily fluid in "Prince Of Darkness" was AIDS. With "The Thing" it was cancer, hence the shifting, growth and metaphorphosis, perfectly captured in Rob Bottin's special effects - which still hold up to this day. The tension and distrust between the characters is physically and nervously played out, with Carpenter wringing out a masterclass of paranoia. The atmosphere is unbearably taut, helped no-end by Ennio Morricone's fantasticaly creepy and unsettling score. Unfortunately, John Carpenter doesn't produce the quality he once did anymore but this has stood the test of time and is, quite simply, one of the best of it's kind.

• Jacob E

  
  Movies from the 1980's have suffered heavily over the years. Thanks to trends that fell off almost literally right as the 90's came around, many films from the 80's have a very dated feel like bad synth music, wacky fashion, etc. When it comes to The Thing though, it… More
  Movies from the 1980's have suffered heavily over the years. Thanks to trends that fell off almost literally right as the 90's came around, many films from the 80's have a very dated feel like bad synth music, wacky fashion, etc. When it comes to The Thing though, it has survived the test of time. Scratch that, when the Test of Time came around to test The Thing, this film promptly punched the Test of Time in the face, threw it to the ground, and proceeded to kick its teeth in. The plot is a brilliant set up for creating suspense, an alien life form invades a remote American installation in Antarctica. This alien life form is hostile, but has the ability to take on the appearance and even the personalities and memories of its victims. Oh, and it can break itself apart meaning that there could be multiple of these creatures at any time. The result creates a tension like no other as you try and figure out who is human and who is, well, something else. The acting is pretty good, featuring Kurt Russell (cool) and Keith David (AWESOME) under the direction of John Carpenter, the man who cemented the slasher genre into horror with "Halloween." But the true standout here are the make-up effects of Rob Bottin. Anyone who knows me well knows I'm a HUGE movie nerd, and I love to find out how shots, angles, and effects are achieved. With this in mind, The Thing features some of the best special effects in horror film history. No computer animation here ladies and gentlemen, just some incredible puppetry and animatronics. The creations of Bottin are horrifying and grotesque, covered in slime, gore, and god knows how many body parts. Masterfully crafted, and extremely intense, The Thing is a must see for horror and sci-fi fans.

• AJ V

  
  A remake of The Thing From Outer Space from the 50s, I prefer the original, but it wasn't a great movie either. Overall this is an okay sci-fi movie.

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