Throughout horror history, there are a select number of sci-fi horror films that are essentially perfect. THE THING (1982) falls directly into that category and is one of the best films directed by John Carpenter. Despite it failing to appeal to people during its time of release, it managed to get reappraisal later, which was more than deserved.
The film follows a research team, working at a remote station, that gets in over their heads when an alien creature infiltrates their location. Instead of these men being completely equipped to handle such a disaster, their responses to this crisis vary in the most human ways.
The characters in THE THING aren’t on a very perilous journey to another planet or dealing with an invasion, they are merely doing their jobs when trouble comes knocking at their door. The entire team consists of everyday people, and they’re not all old white men. We don’t get much in the way of horror films with people who aren’t all extremely polished or conventionally attractive anymore. Which is part of why this film still holds up because it came out during a time when casting conventionally attractive people wasn’t always top priority.
At the start of the film we’re thrown right into a situation that upon first-watch will absolutely cause confusion. After chaos involving a helicopter, a pilot who ends up shot to death, and a supposed dog the strangers were desperate to murder, the characters seal their fates by taking the dog in. It’s not that the characters are stupid because realistically, nobody would assume a random dog is in disguise. Though, during rewatches it’s hard not to want to scream at the characters that the strangers weren’t bonkers in wanting the dog dead.
As we’re introduced to the characters, it’s made clear that pilot R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) is the one who will take the reins at some point. He’s not any more prepared than the other members of the research team, but when he realizes that they’re in serious danger, he’s not afraid to take action. While THE THING’s plot is intriguing and also terrifying because of the nearly unstoppable being they’re forced to deal with, the characters are also a huge part of what makes this as good as it is.
THE THING doesn’t immediately have the characters know what’s going on, though with them being a research team, they figure it out scientifically—as well as seeing chaos unfold with their own eyes. Rather than forcing the audience to be entirely ahead of the characters, this film builds up to establishing what’s going on. As well as how no human being could be truly equipped to manage this situation without major casualties.
Once we establish that the organism can imitate and appear as other living beings, that’s when the distrust truly sets in. THE THING fosters such an effectively paranoid atmosphere, that it’s believable when everyone starts to question those around them. And this is especially when one of the scientists, Blair (Wilford Brimley) discovers that the alien creature could essentially take over the planet. It’s a dire scenario, and it certainly posits the question: what would I do if I were in that situation?
There are plenty of themes to unpack, whether they were intentional or not, throughout the film. Whether it’s the mistrust of others during the worst of circumstances, fear of infections and the AIDS epidemic, what that level of isolation does to people after an extended amount of time, or the fact that it’s very anti-authoritarian in its tone. Regardless of the introduction of the creature (or THING), relations may not have stayed harmonious amongst the group forever. Their situation may have caused quite a bit to bubble to the surface.
When the team members start falling victim to the creature, it’s all perfectly horrifying because of the practical effects. THE THING has some of the best creature effects (led by Rob Bottin) you’ll ever see in a horror film. It’s never instantaneous either, which elicits the perfect amount of shock amongst the characters. They go from average folks doing their job to witnessing metamorphosis and death. Aside from that, the visuals are memorable, the usage of widescreen is great, and the choices for the various color schemes help elicit specific moods throughout each scene.
Where the performances are concerned, Kurt Russell and Keith David’s performances always tend to stand out to people. Though, the rest of the cast plays off each other so well that you shouldn’t dismiss their contributions THE THING. It’s one of those cases where everyone is necessary to help move things along. Not to mention they all add to the body count in the film. You’re not left wanting any of them to meet such ugly demises as they do.
Capturing magic like this film does would be nearly impossible, and the prequel of the same name that came out in 2011 doesn’t remotely do that. The combination of everything that makes THE THING work can’t be replicated in the same way. Whether a modern remake ever comes to be, this will always be a sci-fi horror cult classic. And it’s deserving of its 5 star status in the hearts of many horror fans.
If you’re an individual who needs a ‘80s horror film to revisit or want you to check something off your never-ending watch list, THE THING will be one of the best choices you could make for this UFOctober.
