They Live Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 1907

Average Rating: 2.9/4

# of Ratings: 143

Theatrical Release Date: 11/04/1988

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: 11/06/2012

Language: English

Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller

MPAA Rating: R

Director: John Carpenter

Actors: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower, Peter Jason, Sy Richardson

Plot: An unemployed construction worker heads to L.A. for work. When he puts on a pair of innocuous sunglasses, he finds out the world is not what it seems.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 10/31/2023

It's certainly not the subtlest commentary, but "They Live" is interestingly and entertainingly done.

Indyfreak - wrote on 07/27/2022

Slick direction by John Carpenter and clever social commentary help set this cult scifi flick well ahead of the curve.

Matthew Brady - wrote on 09/14/2014

It's a good movie, but it's a bit underrated.

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

They Live review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 08/31/2013

A typical B flick/that can b a dark comedy at time that is provocative, action packed and funny. Roddy Piper showed some earnest acting and just fits the role of Nada. " Fascinating how the humor was so effective despite the seriousness of the situation. Special effects and wardrobe may seem dated, but the messages of consumerism, fascism, greed and trust. Frank and Nada’s fight sequence was very authentic and screenplay just exceptional. Some memorable lines: The name of the game is: Make it through life." "Everybody got their own hard times these days." "We are only focused on our own gain." and “We’ll do anything to be rich.” Overall, an entertaining look at how human’s would do to gain richness even when they are stepping on their own kind. Very much familiar in this …

Yojimbo
Movie God

"They Live" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 06/14/2012

An out of work construction worker drifts into town and stumbles upon an alien conspiracy to drain the planet of its wealth and enslave the disenfranchised lower classes. If George Romero's Dawn Of The Dead contained a commentary on consumerism and greed then They Live is a full frontal assault! The decidedly left slanted script pulls no punches as everyman Roddy Piper discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveals a subliminal message transmitted through the TV to keep us docile and advertising as little more than slogans stating "OBEY" "DO NOT QUESTION AUTHORITY" and "NO INDEPENDENT THOUGHT"; even money itself boldly proclaims "THIS IS YOUR GOD"! Carpenter's hatred of corporate corruption and greed is barely disguised but his real venom is for those who would sell out their own for a few …

gideon43
Director

Obey

gideon43 - wrote on 05/28/2010

Although his career has faltered in recent years, John Carpenters name will forever be associated with classic cult movies.
Any inspiring director would be proud of a C.V that included Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween, The Thing, Starman, The Fog and his vastly underrated Sci Fi B movie, They Live.
A subversive and highly inventive satire which seems to be more relevant now than it was 20 years ago, They Live is possibly Carpenters last great film.
Lampooning the government, corporate greed and embellishing the divide between the "haves and the have not's", They Live also features almost certainly the greatest punch up in film history.
Roddy Piper in a role he was born to play chews the scenery and has excellent support from the ever reliable Keith David and Meg Foster.
All in all, …