The Thing Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 153

Average Rating: 3.2/4

# of Ratings: 556

Theatrical Release Date: 06/25/1982

Language: English

Genre: Horror, Thriller

MPAA Rating: R

Director: John Carpenter

Actors: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, T.K. Carter, Richard A. Dysart, Peter Maloney

Plot: Scientist at a post in the antarctic are puzzeled by a series of events that don't make much sense. They soon realize that there is a shape shifting alien that is the cause of it all.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 10/08/2020

Even without the politically charged ending of the original, "The Thing" surpasses it with a relentless amount of dread and gore, and a concept that's both faithful and enhancing at the same time.

Matthew Brady - wrote on 01/14/2014

"Cheating bitch." 38 years ago, this movie both bombed and received poor reviews from critics; same thing with Blade Runner, which was released at the same time. This just confirms that even in 1982, people were complete idiots. 'The Thing' is a classic body horror thriller where the mystery and suspense kept audiences on edge for years. It's one of the best John Carpenter movie behind 'Halloween'. This movie and Blade Runner stood the test of time as Sci-Fi masterpieces.

MikePA - wrote on 04/07/2013

It's certainly not a bad movie at all, and I understand why people love it. I was never quite a fan of it. I don't find it scary - I find it repetitive and boring.

Yojimbo
Movie God

"The Thing" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 03/31/2012

A scientific research station in the Antarctic is seemingly attacked by researchers from a nearby settlement, but things are not quite as they seem...The Thing is one of the rarest of all breeds. A cinematic remake that is actually BETTER than the original. Easily John Carpenter's finest moment, he cranks up the suspense mercilessly as the small group of characters are cut off from the outside world, using plot elements from both the original The Thing From Another World and Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. Clearly influenced by Alien, and clearly influencing Aliens, the sense of paranoia is palpable as no-one knows who they can trust, and Carpenter skilfully and subtly misdirects you as to who is infected rather than using the usual clunky and ham fisted red herrings that are the staple …

gideon43
Director

Now I'm gonna show you what I already know.

gideon43 - wrote on 05/20/2010

Released at cinemas soon after E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial, The Thing was a pretty serious box office dud, Cinemagoers obviously preferred their aliens warm and cuddly. Critics also savagely rounded on it labelling it repulsive and over gory.
Carving out a niche for itself as the ultimate cult movie, The Thing has now fortunately been reappraised in a number of reviews and its status today, as one of the best Horror/Sci Fi movies ever made is incontestable.
What makes The Thing so good is an almost indescribably choking atmosphere of paranoia and unbearable tension. It also has a superb cast of character actors, truly outlandish make up design and a mind numbingly eerie score by none other than Ennio Morricone. Almost 30 years on, the creature effects are still awe inspiring and (in the …

Chris Kavan
Movie God

The Thing: It's weird and pissed off

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/12/2008

As a horror and sci fi fan, I am ashamed it took me so long to watch John Carpenter's The Thing. Arising from the ashes of a mediocre theater run, it has since become one of the hits on home video and spawned a cult following. This is right up my alley, but I waited so long - maybe I was afraid I would be disappointed.

I shouldn't have been worried. This has everything I like: paranoia, claustrophobia, awesome monster effects, a good story, great characters and an amazing setting. It's like the planets aligned for a time to create the best possible set up for a horror classic. Everyone always raves about the alien chest-bursting scene, but I have to say there are some pretty great moments here that rival that bit of surprise. When you're dealing with a shape-shifting alien that can …