THEY LIVE (1988)
Film of the Day #167 - 31 Days of Halloween #3
THEY LIVE
1988 • John CarpenterScreenplay: John Carpenter
Based on: Eight O'Clock in the Morning by Ray Nelson
Producer: Larry Franco
Cast: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster
Cinematography: Gary B. Kibbe
Music: John Carpenter, Alan HowarthUniversal Pictures
They are dismantling the sleeping middle class. More and more people are becoming poor. We are their cattle. We are being bred for slavery.
John Carpenter's brilliant satire about American consumerism and politics. WWF wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper stars as a nameless drifter (referred to by some as “Nada”), just looking for a job in the recession-filled 1980s, when he stumbles upon a pair of sunglasses that allow him to see the world from a new perspective. Behind the seemingly mundane facade of society, the sunglasses reveal a startling truth – alien conquerors have infiltrated human society, disguised as prominent figures, businessmen, and politicians. Furthermore, subliminal messages hidden in advertisements and products are used to manipulate and control the masses. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Nada embarks on a mission: to expose the alien deception and liberate humanity from their oppressive grip.
They Live brilliantly uses satire to explore the themes of American consumerism and politics during the Reagan era. Rather than focusing solely on the physical presence of aliens among humans, the movie delves into the deep-rooted suspicion harbored by many towards the elite and powerful in American society. It becomes a damning criticism of the political landscape and how the masses are manipulated for the benefit of the few.
The film shines as an example of a perfect B-movie, combining elements of science fiction, horror, comedy, and action with a compelling social commentary. The movie's relevance extends far beyond its release in 1988, as it continues to resonate even in 2023. Its portrayal of a society unknowingly controlled by sinister forces strikes a chord today, where the questioning of authority and the influence of the powerful remain constant concerns.
At the heart of They Live is Roddy Piper's fantastic performance as the drifter. The pro-wrestler-turned-actor validates his casting, perfectly fitting the material and infusing the character with a mix of toughness and determination. One of the comedic highlights of the film is the juxtaposition between Piper’s initial cluelessness and eventual realization of the alien presence. When he first puts on the sunglasses, his reactions to what he sees are nothing short of hilarious. From reading phrases like "Obey" and "Consume" in advertisements to discovering that some people are hideous aliens, his initial shock and confusion are played for laughs. As he uncovers the truth, Carpenter employs clever visual gags to emphasize the absurdity of the alien infiltration. The fact that these aliens are hidden in plain sight, disguised as humans, allows for situations where Piper tries to maintain his composure in the face of blatant deception. Despite the seriousness of his mission, Piper's delivery of witty one-liners (“and I’m all out of bubblegum”) and deadpan reactions adds a layer of humor to the character.
His charisma and knack for physical comedy enhance bring a lot to the film. The iconic fight scene between Piper and Keith David's characters, while intense and emotionally charged, also contains elements of humor. The sheer length and brutality of the brawl, coupled with the absurdity of it all, make it the best scene in the movie.
The movie captures both the paranoia and dark humor prevalent in a society tamed and controlled by alien overlords without its inhabitants even being aware of it. As Nada navigates the treacherous landscape of truth and deception, They Live asks you to question your own perceptions and reflect on the subtle influences shaping their lives. The subliminal messages hidden in advertisements take on a darkly humorous tone, as they mirror the manipulative tactics of real-world marketing and propaganda. These elements become comedic in their absurdity while simultaneously drawing attention to the unsettling truth about the power of media and consumer culture.
So, put on the sunglasses and discover the truth.
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum.
Notable Awards & Accomplishments
• Ranked #18 on Entertainment Weekly magazine's The Cult 25
• Fantasporto International Fantasy Film Award Nominee: Best Film
• Saturn Award Nominee: Best Science Fiction Film
Streaming: Not currently streaming
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at most major digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD
This exposes the whole subtle propaganda and programming that's been ongoing since Freud's nephew, Ed Bernays, had decided that the great masses needed to be told what to do, to think, to say, back in the '20s. I'd never have given the film a second thought were it not for financial consultant and ex-HUD undersecretary/whistleblower Catherine Austin Fitts, who mentioned it as an important depiction of the psyop. It's more than just a mildly amusing B-movie.