Spooky Season 2022: The Thing (1982) Review

It goes without saying, John Carpenter’s The Thing is a masterpiece and is still one of the best, not to mention tense and scariest, horror films in history now 40 years later. The story is simple yet genius, the titular thing is the stuff of nightmares, the jump scares are more than effective and the ending is brilliantly ambiguous.

The Thing takes place in a remote part of Antarctica where a group of American scientists are disturbed by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take the dog in, the group discover that the dog is not what it seems. As the dog begins to attack animals and humans alike, the group discover that the creature posing as the dog can mimic anything and anyone that it kills. A helicopter pilot named MacReady (Russell) leads the crew in a desperate attempt of survival to burn the alien out of existence before it picks them off one-by-one.

John Carpenter delivers an insurmountable amount of tension. The score is heart-pounding and the unknown factor regarding the true identity of the thing at any given time is absolutely exhausting in the best way possible. Similarly, placing the characters in arguably the most remote place on Earth only adds to the overall tension as it gives audiences an authentic sense of fear and dread and a real feeling of isolation. Meanwhile, the jump scares are brilliantly done, whilst the film doesn’t heavily rely on them, the few instances which it does are expertly-executed and are sure to catch many viewers off-guard. The creature is also one of the scariest creatures ever put to screen. Its nightmarish design only helps prove why. Its visuals are absolutely ghastly and by opting to primarily use practical effects makes it feel more real thus much more terrifying.

The film’s characters are all brilliantly well written and developed, with MacReady being one of the coolest protagonists in horror while its supporting characters are just as interesting. Creating a strong connection with viewers, each kill is that much more impactful, making for a more intricate and tense watch. The acting across the board is high caliber, resulting in some increasingly tense exchanges and also some of the best moments of the film as each character points fingers at one another.

While the film’s plot is simple, it is also incredibly intriguing. A fight for survival is supported by a haunting atmosphere as well as a well-crafted mystery that will undoubtedly keep viewers on the edge of their seats throughout. The final moments help prove why The Thing is a perfect horror film. Its brilliant and an impeccable ending will leave viewers clawing for answers as they ponder the fates of the characters and the status of the thing.

In the end, The Thing is pure 1980s magic and a timeless horror film that remains among the best in the genre featuring brilliant storytelling, interesting characters, terrifying antagonist, a masterfully-tense atmosphere, and exceptional performances. 

*still courtesy of Universal Pictures*

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Olly Dyche

Journalist, Writer, Film Critic and Professional Nerd. You will probably find Olly at the cinema chomping down on some popcorn and taking in the glorious visuals of the latest theatrical release.