The Thing (1982)

The Thing (1982)

7/10

Starring

Kurt Russell

Directed by John Carpenter

I wouldn’t tag this movie as horror because, from my perspective, there’s nothing particularly horrific about it—it’s more of a thrilling ride. The acting and directing are top-notch, and the movie delivers on a script based on the 1938 novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell Jr.

What I liked most about the movie is the confusion and the ending. Instead of neatly solving the problem, it leaves your brain working overtime to figure out what you’d do in such a dire situation. It’s an intense mental ride that keeps you engaged, much like the characters’ own struggle.

The plot follows a team working in Antarctica who come face-to-face with an alien that has the terrifying ability to mimic and absorb any living creature. Once it’s absorbed a creature, it can act, speak, and behave just like it. Every single cell of this alien is coded for survival and has the same horrifying abilities.

Now, imagine the chaos when a team of men unknowingly lets this alien into their midst. The confusion is so intense that you’re left wondering who to trust and what you’d do if you were in their shoes.

It all starts with a Norwegian helicopter chasing and shooting at a sled dog. The dog runs until it reaches the American research station, also located in Antarctica. One of the Norwegians exits the helicopter, accidentally blows it up—killing the pilot—and then starts shooting at the Americans, who have come out to see what’s happening. Clearly unhinged, the Norwegian is eventually killed by one of the Americans.

The Americans let the dog into their station and allow it to roam freely. Later, they visit the Norwegian station, where they find all the men dead—some in grotesque, unnatural ways. On the grounds, they discover a massive, block-shaped excavation site and a bizarre, mangled humanoid body. They take both the body and the Norwegians’ log back to their station.

That night, the dog is locked in the kennel with the other dogs. Suddenly, they hear loud barking and rush to find the sled dog transforming into a horrifying, monstrous creature, attacking the other dogs. They manage to kill the creature, but when they go through the Norwegians’ log, they learn just how dangerous this alien is. The creature is incredibly difficult to kill, and any part of it—no matter how small—can mimic a whole human.

Now comes the real terror: the sled dog had already spent time alone with many of them. How can they tell who’s human and who isn’t?

It’s a fantastic movie, and you’d better be ready for a thrill when you watch it!