The Thing

A science fiction horror about paranoia and betrayal

In John Carpenter's The Thing (1982), a group of American scientists at an isolated research station in the South Pole finds themselves in a nightmare. They discover an alien creature that has lain frozen in the ice for centuries. The creature can perfectly mimic human or animal, leaving no one knowing who to trust anymore. This mutual paranoia and atmosphere of betrayal form the core of the film.

Based on an earlier work, with original sound and images

Carpenter based The Thing on Christian Nyby's The Thing from Another World (1951), but deepened the story by going much further in exploring fear and isolation. The make-up effects are considered a highlight in film history to this day. The music is by Ennio Morricone, complemented by Carpenter's own synthesizer sounds. This makes the film's sound so recognizable and ominous.