Back in 1982, a sci-fi horror film called The Thing got trashed by critics – perhaps it was due to it coming out around the same time as other sci-fi flicks like E.T. The Extraterrestrial and Blade Runner, or because it was too dark and edgy. . . or maybe it was simply ahead of its time. Funnily enough, it is now considered one of the all-time greats of the horror genre. Critics have come around to see the movie in a much more positive light – which explains why it has been placed onto countless lists that recognize great films, horror or otherwise.
Iconic director John Carpenter takes us into the frigid Antarctic, where a group of American researchers work in a secluded environment away from almost all human contact. One similar base that is close by is a Norwegian funded scientific team – we soon learn that something has gone horribly wrong as the remaining two members fly toward the American base whilst shooting at an Alaskan Malamute (a dog). The violent, hurried duo enter the American base, risking everyone’s lives in the process. The two are shouting something in their native tongue, yet are killed as a result of their own panicked actions and their threatening demeanor.
Station commander Garry (Donald Moffat) sends pilot MacReady (Kurt Russell) and their doctor, Copper (Richard Dysart), to investigate the nearby camp. What they discover is a smoking shell of a compound that is now a frigid tomb that holds the remaining members. There is also a mysterious block of excavated ice and some horrific charred remains – that look like some mad scientist had tried to splice different human beings together to create one grotesque creature.
An autopsy performed by Dr. Blair (Wilford Brimley) does not provide any answers, yet the team soon realizes that they are in serious trouble, as the dog they rescued earlier is not really a dog at all – it is some sort of alien being that attacked the other real Alaskan Malamutes upon being placed in the cage with them. Using a flamethrower, they torch the sucker and soon realize that what they are dealing with is a creature that can absorb another species, metamorphosizing itself into a perfect impersonation of what it has attacked.
The group investigate a locale that the Norwegians had been working at prior to their demise and they find an excavated site that holds an ancient flying saucer. By the time they return, Dr. Blair has started to crack – realizing that there is a high probability that some of the team are already infected and that if this creature reaches the mainland, it would likely wipe out all human and animal life in a matter of years.
The rest of the large crew, including Nauls (T.K. Carter), Childs (Keith David) and Bennings (Peter Maloney), begin to fear the worst. Paranoia, claustrophobia, and violence creep into their minds and actions as they fight for power, control and safety, despite the fact that there is really none to be had.
After locking Blair away in a separate building, the group try to manage their increasingly complex surroundings. Dr. Copper then suggests that they each agree to a blood test. Soon, MacReady one ups the plan by adding that they should place a hot instrument into each member’s blood sample (as the creature attempts to survive on a molecular level) in order to see if anyone is infected.
Death, disappearances, destroyed blood samples and supposed suicide occur, which riles up the team even more. Members begin to turn on each other, with some being tied up, while others suggest that their former friends have been turned by the Thing without having any real proof.
No matter how clever they are or how promptly they concoct a new plan, things continue to worsen. As their numbers begin to dwindle, will MacReady and the rest find a way to stop the creature and survive the oncoming frigid winter months?
The Thing director John Carpenter with Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams
John Carpenter’s The Thing uses its claustrophobic locale, eerie mood and quickly growing paranoia to build a horror film that is thick on spooky atmosphere – making for one suspenseful ride. Even when cooler heads try to prevail, there are countless others who are not willing to take that controlled approach – which adds to the frenetic energy that grows towards the end of the piece. There are definitely some similarities to the earlier 1979 horror flick Alien, which also uses mood, seclusion as well as shadow and light to scare its viewers.
Having said all of this, the movie is not without gore. There are some extremely creative elements surrounding the macabre transformations, with sucking tentacles, deformed animals, multi-headed humans and arm crunching bites which make viewers grimace.
The ending is also intriguing. It does not provide us with a black and white answer, but rather, forces us to scrutinize the remaining survivors, their possible survival, or whether they have actually been taken by the alien. Really, the whole film is one big puzzle. It would take multiple viewings in order to decipher (or at least try to) exactly what was going on and who was already turned. All things considered, you should participate in this chess match between human and alien, just don’t let it check‘mate’ you.