LogFAQs > #980040723

1. The Thing (1982 / 51 points)
Directed by: John Carpenter / Screenplay by: Bill Lancaster
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Why Its Significant - A loose remake of The Thing from Another World and of course based on the original short story Who Goes There?, The Thing was a massive box office disappointment upon release and absolutely disparaged critically. It has become a cornerstone of the sci-fi horror genre, lauded for its special effects, thematic depth, and lasting influence. The Thing's brilliance lies not just in its gore and incredible effects, but in its exploration of paranoia as the crew grapples with the possibility that any one of them could be the alien in disguise. This simple but effective premise balanced the Lovecraftian unknown, Cold War era tension, body horror, and pure frigid bleakness to craft a film whose fingerprints remain all over the genre, seen in films like Lifeforce, It Follows, The Faculty, The Hidden, & Slither, video games like Among Us, Resident Evil 4, & Dead Space, and TV series like Stranger Things and The X-Files. Much like its antagonist, The Thing truly is everywhere. The Thing received a prequel in 2011, a sequel as survival horror game on PS2, & comic books set in the universe. It is also the first film in Carpenters loosely themed Apocalypse Trilogy.

The Rankers
Lightning - 1
Plasmabeam - 1
Jcgamer107 - 2
Rockus - 2
Snake -2
Bitto - 3
Inviso - 3
Seginustemple - 3
Evilordexdeath - 4
Mythiot - 4
Fortybelowsummer - 6
Johnbobb - 6
Karo - 14

Lightning - You gotta be fuckin' kidding.

Although The Thing did not succeed on its original release either critically or commercially, it became a cult classic on video and is now regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time. Watching it now it is very easy to see why. Everything about this just works, from the characters, to the paranoid and chilly atmosphere, to the truly gruesome practical visual effects, to the haunting score to the even more haunting ending.

What Carpenter manages to achieve here is a masterpiece of tension that occasionally explodes into spectacular moments of gore. This is best represented by the scene where The Thing as the dog reveals itself, first you get real tension, then there is truly horrifying, truly alien imagery mixed with shocking violence. On top of that it accomplishes a genuine creeping dread through the idea that if this thing gets out it will be the end of everything.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this film is how it keeps you asking questions. Who is The Thing and when? If you are taken over, do you know it? What does it want? Then of course you have the ending that became a point of debate for decades. Anybody who watches this will have a slightly different interpretation. Despite all that it manages to work also as an effective creature feature, blending the visceral thrills with intellectual thought.

5/5

Plasmabeam - My all-time favorite horror movie. It never stops being engaging, claustrophobic, and scary. The setting, the mystery, the camerawork, the practical effects, the nihilism, the Loftcraftian monster, the beard on MacReady I have nothing but great things to say about this masterpiece.

Jcgamer107 - 10/10

Rockus - Where to start with John Carpenters remake of The Thing from Another World (a classic in its own right)? A Science fiction thriller that doesnt so much unravel but rather gets more layered as it moves along. Once the seeds of uncertainty fracture the group of men at a remote research scientists in Antarctica paranoia not only grows, it thrives. The uncertainty doesnt just affect the characters within the film but its viewers as well, making it not just a horror film with a hideous monster but one filled with psychological dread as well. Some extraordinary creature effects and a terrific ensemble cast add to the remarkable craft to a classic. Its a masterpiece.

Snake - As much as A Nightmare on Elm Street is so near and dear to my heart, I did flip-flop between that film and The Thing for the coveted #1 spot. I mean, The Thing totally transcends the typical monster movie fare. It's a chilling exploration of paranoia, isolation, and the fragility of trust.

The true horror doesn't lie solely in the creature's grotesque transformations, but in the way it sows seeds of doubt among the men. The isolated environment and lack of communication with the outside world amplify their fear. A simple disagreement can quickly escalate into suspicion, fracturing their fragile sense of camaraderie. The film masterfully portrays the descent into paranoia, where every cough, every twitch becomes a potential sign of infection. Carpenter brilliantly utilizes practical effects, creating nightmarishly realistic transformations that blur the line between human and alien. The audience, along with the characters, is constantly on edge, unsure who to trust.

The Thing is also a meditation on the nature of humanity. As trust evaporates, the researchers resort to increasingly savage measures to expose the alien. The camaraderie that initially bound them gives way to a brutal fight for survival, raising questions about the thin line between civilization and barbarity. The film doesn't offer easy answers. In the desolate, unforgiving landscape, the characters grapple with existential questions about the possibility of escape and the meaning of survival at all costs.

The Thing's ambiguous ending further amplifies its impact. The audience is left questioning the fate of the characters and the true nature of the threat. Is humanity doomed to succumb to the Thing, or is there a glimmer of hope for survival? This uncertainty lingers long after the credits roll, solidifying The Thing's place as a truly haunting and thought-provoking science fiction horror classic.

Bitto - Rating: A

I absolutely love the tone of The Thing. The premise is great, but the execution really make it sing. The desolation of Antartica as a setting is perfect. The characters are all interesting and unique, but grounded. By the end, you can probably tell the differences between every cast member, which is pretty amazing where every character feels like a real person as opposed to a cartoonish caricature. The Thing is horrifying, but takes its time to be horrifying. The special effects (which I think are generally great in this gauntlet) are at its height in The Thing. I think the only part that doesn't sit well with me is the ending. The actual ending between MacReady and Childs is great, but everything between figuring out Blair is the last Thing and the actual ending is where the movie starts to lose me. I feel like the final confrontation between MacReady and the Thing is just too short and abrupt. It could serve to be a bit longer.