They Live

1988 • 94 minutes
4.6
967 reviews
86%
Tomatometer
R
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

They influence our decisions without us knowing it. They numb our senses without us feeling it. They control our lives without us realizing it. They live. Horror master John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing) directs this heart-pounding thriller. Aliens are systematically gaining control of the earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission. Humanity's last chance lies with a lone drifter who stumbles upon a harrowing discovery a unique pair of sunglasses that reveal the terrifying and deadly truth.
Rating
R

Ratings and reviews

4.6
967 reviews
TheLocalMaxTax
December 2, 2018
Big Trouble in Little China meets The Thing. This film oozes that classic John Carpenter style and is an immensely fun film from start to end. Normally Wrestlers in movies are pretty, weak and serve more as a fun little distraction rather than having any sort of intriguing character to them, but Roddy Piper brings a relatable component that makes him not only a good surrogate for the audience to experience the film through, he also brings a lot of charisma with the role. The film is definitely a slow burn at the start (pretty typical for a John Carpenter movie), but it does a great job setting up the story, characters, and themes. When the film finally gets to the big action set pieces you really do feel invested in Nada's (Roddy Piper) journey through this mysterious Alien conspiracy. Keith David returns to star in this movie, he previously played 'Childs' in John Carpenter's "The Thing" 6 years prior (My personal favorite film of his), and the performance he delivers is fantastic. Any scene with Nada and Frank (Keith David) is just the best, the amount of on-screen chemistry the 2 actors have is brilliant, and is what really makes this film shine. 5/5 one of Carpenters best.
28 people found this review helpful
Southern Cross (David Kemp)
April 9, 2015
You have to love the movies that came out back then because, they challenged the intellectual mind. most of the directors and writer disguised our societies on how they controlled us by, turning it into a movie. now you can see today just how much control some of the most powerful people and corporations actually have over nations including the government. It has been said before there are free will of our conscious mind never was actually freed. for we had been played no different like the mouse in a maze.
47 people found this review helpful
computer android
December 29, 2018
Wow! Phenomenal! Along with the first Star Wars, Suicide Kings and Soylent Green, this flawless masterpiece is one of my favorites. It is truly timeless AND was way ahead of its time, all at the same time. As near as I can tell, this flick has the longest and coolest running fight scene in cinematic history. After viewing this, take a chance on some of the fantastic work that people have presented on YOUTUBE concerning this genuine classic. I think you'll be impressed. Thanks Google. Great job!