THE THING (1982)

With special guest Suzanne Keilly

Intro, Math Club, and Debate Society (spoiler-free) 00:00-31:42
Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy) 31:43-1:07:36
Superlatives (so. many. spoilers.) 1:07:37-1:26:59

Director John Carpenter
Screenplay Bill Lancaster, based on the novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell, Jr.
Featuring Wilfrid Brimley, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, Jed, Peter Maloney, Richard Masur, Donald Moffat, Joel Polis, Kurt Russell, Thomas Waites

Released June 25, 1982
Budget $15 million
Box office $19.6 million US/Canada

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS

An American research crew at a base in Antarctica finds they are not alone in the desolate, freezing landscape when a nearby Norwegian team accidentally awakens an alien presence that’s been frozen in the ice for a hundred thousand years. As the American crew determines just what the alien’s M.O. is, they are overcome by a creeping distrust, and the paranoid group slowly unravels as an unseen, deadly force runs rampant on the base.

SPOILER-FREE GUEST BIO

Suzanne Keilly is a screenwriter in Los Angeles, known for adapting and reimagining 80s cult genre fare including Slumber Party Massacre, Leprechaun Returns, and “Ash Vs Evil Dead.”  Despite her penchant for horror, Suzanne got her start writing and performing sketch comedy and improv at stages across North America including UCB, the Groundlings, Second City, and Just for Laughs.  She was most recently a writer on Netflix’s cancelled, yet beloved series “Warrior Nun,” and is currently writing a horror whodunnit for Viacom.  Favorite recess snack: Drumsticks.

EPISODE NOTES

Music from “The Thing” by Ennio Morricone.

To read Professor Louryk’s explanation of why he chose this film, visit our Blog.

SHORT DOC

TRAILER

SUPERLATIVES

The Gaspar Noe Award for Most Disturbing Scene
Suzanne: Palmer is revealed to be a Thing
Eric: The kennel scene (first appearance of The Thing)
Bradford: The kennel scene (first appearance of The Thing)

The Ellen Ripley Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Live
Suzanne: Fuchs
Eric: Jed, the malamute/wolf dog
Bradford: Fuchs

The Michael Myers Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Die
Suzanne: Windows
Eric: Those fucking Norwegians
Bradford: [Abstaining]

The Ken Russell Award for Most Baroque Screen Moment
Suzanne: The defibrillator scene
Eric: The defibrillator scene
Bradford: The defibrillator scene

The Brad Dourif Award for Character Who Could Have Been Played by Brad Dourif
Suzanne: Windows
Eric: Dr. Blair
Bradford: Clark

FINAL LETTER GRADE

Suzanne: A+
Eric: A-
Bradford: A