Welcome to the Second Union 31 Days of Horror event! Every day leading up to Tuesday, October 31st, (starting Sunday, October 1st) we will post a review of one horror film.
Today’s Film: The Thing. Enjoy!
The Thing is directed by John Carpenter and follows a group of researchers in Antarctica who become trapped at their station with an extraterrestrial life-form. The parasite begins to kill the crew members and take their bodies as hosts. I’m not sure which film is more isolated, this or The Shining, but they’re both prime examples of how to take a simple premise and put their own little turn on them in the most wonderful way. The Thing isn’t a perfect film. There are some issues, but it’s an interesting and genuinely frightening film.
The acting in the film is fine. I don’t think there’s a performance that stands out except for Kurt Russell’s, because, he’s a total badass in this film. He owns the role of MacReady. With the flamethrower and the explosives, he’s just super awesome. There’s no other way to put it. I guess if I were to pick one other standout character, it would be Childs (Keith David) because he’s smart enough to make it to the end.
Like I mentioned before, this film is genuinely frightening. And, I mean seriously scary. There are moments in The Thing that will scare the pants off of you because of how disturbing and insanely shocking the deaths can be. The biggest and most freaky scene in the entire film is when the parasite transcends out of Norris and the teeth in his body bite Dr. Copper’s arms off. It’s insanely awesome, gross, and horrifying all at the same time. I love it.
The isolated setting is perfect for this film, and it works so well because not only is there no hope for anyone, but even if there was, they’re literally at the bottom of the Earth. It’s so good because of those overwhelmingly impossible odds. They certainly aren’t in their favor, and the film acknowledges it.
THE VERDICT
The Thing is a disturbing, fun, and enjoyable film that defies all odds. While it’s occasionally sluggish pacing gets the best of it at points, it’s still an unforgettable classic and an amazing horror film. I’m going to give it an A-.
The Thing stars Kurt Russell, A. Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan. Directed by John Carpenter.
