The Thing

In my opinion, this is the best film by John Carpenter, who managed to extract the maximum out of the B-movie concept and, thanks to his excellent and imaginative direction, created a lasting cult film in the horror genre. The film is based on John W. Campbell's short story "Who Goes There?" from the classic golden era of American science fiction, and although it is often rumored that the film is usually weaker than the book, Carpenter knocked out Campbell. By the way, it is a remake, as the first film version was already made in 1951. While in the story, the creature takes on the form of a classic alien from space, Carpenter works with hints and combines solutions to scientific problems while creating a paranoid atmosphere of distrust and horror, where nobody knows if the person in front of them is really who they claim to be. Excellent camera work and music, very decent special effects shots for its time, but above all, a screenplay that maintains tension until the last second. The whole film builds up to a chilling, depressing, and completely hopeless ending. It was a very helpful role for Kurt Russell. It is also noteworthy that at the time, the film was coldly received not only by critics but also by the audience, and then it slowly gained recognition among film fans before becoming a classic. Carpenter managed to create a more emotional work with minimal resources than Scott did with a huge budget and the support of an influential film studio in Alien. Overall impression: 95%. (29/11/2007)

The Thing is one of the best representatives of the horror genre in the cinema of the last century. It's a delectable line-up of dishes where you can find a thrilling Morricone score on the menu, the ultimate in great production design, solid direction and pretty decent special effects. The film's atmosphere gradually thickens and some of the crew are not who they seem to be. The question of who is coming out of it alive arises, and not everyone is destined to survive when the carnage begins in the middle of the polar wasteland. In short, a cult classic that certainly deserves the attention of audiences because it is timeless and appealing in so many ways. (08/07/2011)

A horrifying parade of disgusting special effects with bodies disintegrating and mutating into hideous slimy creatures, the human head with spider legs is very cool. The chilling atmosphere of hopelessness and isolation perfectly underscores everything. We can only thank Carpenter for his bold directorial concept and the distribution company for having the courage to put this into wide distribution in its time. (07/07/2002)

Carpenter's The Thing is, without question, the scariest sci-fi horror film of all time. An orgiastic atmospheric experience that cuts deep into your nervous system from the very opening moments, in an oppressive and bleak setting, with a cold and unbearably depressing directorial rhythm and accompanied by a chilling soundtrack or physically disgusting (or cinematically beautiful) gore effects, only to place a devastating charge at the end and scatter even the last vestige of hope and light. A brilliant, incredibly compact film that never wavers, even with a single shot or spoken line, from its predetermined, most beautiful and purest imaginable genre path... One of those very few films I really never get tired of. 100% (30/04/2011)

I had chills running down my spine throughout this outstanding horror sci-fi. Carpenter’s style is put to ample use here and the B-movie make-up suddenly looks darn convincing. The subject is excellent and has great potential in itself, maybe slightly B-movie, but high quality. The atmosphere of anticipation, distrust and secrecy grows by the minute. Kurt Russell gave perhaps his best ever performance in The Thing, and when I think about it, Carpenter did too. The carefully build up in atmosphere in combination with Morricone’s music creates an amazing experience making for a rather sleepless night ;). (31/12/2006)