Very Light Spoiler Review of "The Thing"
I first caught John Carpenter's "The Thing" as an early teen on ITV in the '90s. Even watching a TV-edited version that randomly had a news broadcast in the middle of it, the movie still terrified me. The special effects were so visceral and out there, they blew my mind and gave me nightmares to boot.
The basic premise centers on an American research station in Antarctica. The team is approached by a sled dog being chased by armed individuals in a helicopter. Unable to understand the situation and not speaking Norwegian, one of the pursuers is shot, and the other accidentally blows himself up. The dog is taken into the camp, and some of the team head out to the Norwegian base to figure out what the hell is going on. What they discover there turns out to be beyond anything they could imagine. The real horror is that the danger is already among them.
As a kid, what I liked most about "The Thing" were the gory practical special effects. Watching it now, they still impress me, but some have dated pretty badly. However, there's still a great, gory realism to them that's hard to reproduce with CGI. As an adult, it's not the gore that gets me anymore; it's the slow burn of paranoia that director Carpenter masterfully instills. His later work is hit or miss, but his '70s and '80s movies are tremendous. He creates an almost unbearable level of suspense, giving us very little relief. At a certain point in this movie, it's almost impossible to trust anyone. Trusting someone could literally be the end of you. Something has landed on Earth, and it can pretend to be anyone. Unfortunately for us, it literally wants to be everyone.
"The Thing" was released the same weekend as "E.T.," presumably as some sort of counter-programming. This turned out to be a terrible decision, as "E.T." went on to become one of the biggest films ever, while "The Thing" really struggled, not helped by so-so reviews. Going up against the lighthearted "E.T." with another alien movie was always going to be risky. Thankfully, over the years, audiences have realized just how damn good "The Thing" is.
In addition to gaining a cult following, "The Thing" has had a significant influence on modern film, particularly within the horror and science fiction genres. Its themes of isolation, paranoia, and the unseen enemy have inspired countless filmmakers. Movies like "The Faculty" and "Slither" owe a debt to Carpenter’s work, and TV shows such as "The X-Files" and "Stranger Things" have drawn on its atmospheric tension and practical effects.
The film's practical effects, created by Rob Bottin, set a high bar for physical special effects in horror. The grotesque, shape-shifting creature designs continue to influence practical and digital effects in modern cinema. Directors like Guillermo del Toro and James Gunn have cited "The Thing" as an inspiration for their own creature features.
Moreover, the film's approach to suspense and character distrust has become a blueprint for storytelling in enclosed environments, influencing films like "Alien" and "The Hateful Eight," the latter of which even features Kurt Russell and Ennio Morricone’s score, paying direct homage to Carpenter's classic.
"The Thing" has transcended its initial box office disappointment to become a landmark in horror and sci-fi cinema. Its influence is seen in the way modern films build tension, develop characters, and create immersive practical effects. John Carpenter's masterpiece continues to be celebrated for its innovation and enduring ability to terrify.
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But remember. Trust No One.
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