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Science FictionAction

They Live

- You see them on the street. You watch them on TV. You might even vote for one this fall. You think they're people just like you. You're wrong. Dead wrong.

A lone drifter stumbles upon a harrowing discovery -- a unique pair of sunglasses that reveals that aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission.

Release Date : 1988-11-04

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Alive FilmsLarry Franco Productions

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles : They Live!John Carpenter's They Live

Cast

Roddy Piper

Character Name : John Nada

Original Name : Roddy Piper

Gender : Male

Keith David

Character Name : Frank Armitage

Original Name : Keith David

Gender : Male

Meg Foster

Character Name : Holly Thompsen

Original Name : Meg Foster

Gender : Female

George Buck Flower

Character Name : Drifter

Original Name : George Buck Flower

Gender : Male

Peter Jason

Character Name : Gilbert

Original Name : Peter Jason

Gender : Male

Raymond St. Jacques

Character Name : Street Preacher

Original Name : Raymond St. Jacques

Gender : Male

Jason Robards III

Character Name : Family Man

Original Name : Jason Robards III

Gender : Male

John Lawrence

Character Name : Bearded Man

Original Name : John Lawrence

Gender : Male

Susan Barnes

Character Name : Brown Haired Woman

Original Name : Susan Barnes

Gender : Female

Sy Richardson

Character Name : Black Revolutionary

Original Name : Sy Richardson

Gender : Male

Wendy Brainard

Character Name : Family Man's Daughter

Original Name : Wendy Brainard

Gender : Female

Lucille Meredith

Character Name : Female Interviewer

Original Name : Lucille Meredith

Gender : Female

Susan Blanchard

Character Name : Ingenue

Original Name : Susan Blanchard

Gender : Female

Norman Alden

Character Name : Foreman

Original Name : Norman Alden

Gender : Male

Dana Bratton

Character Name : Black Junkie

Original Name : Dana Bratton

Gender : Male

John F. Goff

Character Name : Well Dressed Customer

Original Name : John F. Goff

Gender : Male

Norman D. Wilson

Character Name : Vendor

Original Name : Norman D. Wilson

Gender : Male

Thelma Lee

Character Name : Rich Lady

Original Name : Thelma Lee

Gender : Female

Stratton Leopold

Character Name : Depressed Human

Original Name : Stratton Leopold

Gender : Male

Rezza Shan

Character Name : Arab Clerk

Original Name : Rezza Shan

Gender : Male

Norman Howell

Character Name : Blonde Haired Cop

Original Name : Norman Howell

Gender : Male

Larry Franco

Character Name : Neighbor

Original Name : Larry Franco

Gender : Male

Tom Searle

Character Name : Biker

Original Name : Tom Searle

Gender : Male

Robert Grasmere

Character Name : Scruffy Blonde Man

Original Name : Robert Grasmere

Gender : Male

Vince Inneo

Character Name : Passageway Guard

Original Name : Vince Inneo

Gender : Male

Bob Hudson

Character Name : Passageway Guard #2

Original Name : Bob Hudson

Gender : Male

Jon Paul Jones

Character Name : Manager

Original Name : Jon Paul Jones

Gender : Male

Dennis Michael

Character Name : Male News Anchor

Original Name : Dennis Michael

Gender : Male

Nancy Gee

Character Name : Female News Anchor

Original Name : Nancy Gee

Gender : Female

Claudia Stanlee

Character Name : Young Female Executive

Original Name : Claudia Stanlee

Gender : Female

Christine Anne Baur

Character Name : Woman on Phone

Original Name : Christine Anne Baur

Gender : Female

Eileen Wesson

Character Name : Pregnant Secretary

Original Name : Eileen Wesson

Gender : Female

Gregory J. Barnett

Character Name : Security Guard #1

Original Name : Gregory J. Barnett

Gender : Male

Jim Nickerson

Character Name : Security Guard #2

Original Name : Jim Nickerson

Gender : Male

Kerry Rossall

Character Name : 2nd Unit Guard

Original Name : Kerry Rossall

Gender : Male

Cibby Danyla

Character Name : Naked Lady

Original Name : Cibby Danyla

Gender : Male

Jeff Imada

Character Name : Male Ghoul

Original Name : Jeff Imada

Gender : Male

Michelle Costello

Character Name : Female Ghoul

Original Name : Michelle Costello

Gender : Female

Jeb Stuart Adams

Character Name : Homeless kid (uncredited)

Original Name : Jeb Stuart Adams

Gender : Male

Jennifer Austin

Character Name : Teenage Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Jennifer Austin

Gender : Female

Michael Forino

Character Name : Ghoul at Bar (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Forino

Gender : Male

Robert V. Greene

Character Name : TV Technician (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert V. Greene

Gender : Male

Helen Kelly

Character Name : Woman at the Dinner Party (uncredited)

Original Name : Helen Kelly

Gender : Female

Al Leong

Character Name : Asian Revolutionary (uncredited)

Original Name : Al Leong

Gender : Male

Gunnar Magg

Character Name : Male Ghoulie (uncredited)

Original Name : Gunnar Magg

Gender : Male

Matt McColm

Character Name : Police Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Matt McColm

Gender : Male

Tommy Morrison

Character Name : Dave - Resistance Fighter (uncredited)

Original Name : Tommy Morrison

Gender : Male

John Carpenter

Character Name : Voice That Says 'Sleep'

Original Name : John Carpenter

Gender : Male

Reviews

T

tmdb87069603

@tmdb87069603

2021-06-23

I have to admit up front to liking every single, John Carpenter movie. They are works of art in there unique style and quality. This is actually my favorite of all of them. There could be a criticism that this movie is didactic and sends some sort of clumsy political or philosophical message but I'd have to reply that you simply don't get it. Unlike the modern propensity for movies to try to hammer home some political point or perspective, the message here is only window dressing. The message may (or may not) be important but instead of getting caught up in some sort of self-important moralizing, let's remember this is a movie - and a SciFi action movie at that. (that is the approach in my opinion) If I would compare movies to literature or movie makers to authors I'd compare Carpenter to Hemingway - although Carpenter specializes in anti-heroes and sometimes over-the-top characters, while Hemingway is understated. They are analogous for their own medium. This is action, sci-fi but like Hemingway's stories, this is a man's movie. Straight forward. Fun at times, brutal at times and even funny at times. Keep a watch out for one of the great one-liners in movie history when the star is in the bank - only peripherally related to "bazooka." A+ to Roddy Piper as well. When I first saw this movie I had zero expectation from him. Now I wish he'd have made a lot more movies...

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Life's a bitch and she's back on heat! They Live is directed by John Carpenter who also adapts the screenplay form the short story Eight O'Clock in the Morning written by Ray Nelson. It stars Roddy Piper, Keith David and Meg Foster. Music is by Alan Howarth (and Carpenter) and cinematography by Gary B. Kibbe. Unemployed drifter Nada (Piper) wanders into the city looking to find work, but upon finding a unique pair of sunglasses he sees a different world to everyone else. It's a world frequented by an alien race who are using the Earth for their own nefarious means. See The Truth! Carpenter does subversive sci-fi and it's a whole bunch of fun. Stripped back it's evident that They Live is Carpenter's wry observation on the politico posers who endorse the rich getting richer and everybody else sliding down the pole; to where they stop nobody knows! It's also a blatant paean to the glorious years of the 1950s when paranoia based sci-fi schlockers and creaky creature features ruled the air waves. It's also a wonderfully macho driven action movie, laced with comedy as well. You can rest assured there will be plenty of shooting, punching, dodging and spoken lines to make you smile. Piper is no Kurt Russell, but we shouldn't hold that against him because he fills the role nicely. With muscular frame, 80s hair and a quip on the tongue, he is most assuredly a Carpenter leading man for the 80s. Alongside him is the reassuring presence of Keith David, himself a beefcake and also one of the coolest muthas on the planet. It's easy to believe that these two can save the planet, even after nearly beating each other to a pulp during a prolonged side-alley fight sequence, where Carpenter doesn't miss a chance to parody professional wrestling. While away from the beef, Meg Foster gets the lead lady role, with those amazing eyes nestling in perfectly with the world Carpenter has created. Carpenter does political? Yes, but it's not the be all and end all of his intentions. He wanted to make an action sci-fi schlocker with sly politico undertones as motives. And that's exactly what he did. Joyously so. 8/10

N

Nathan

@TitanGusang

2023-05-15

They Live is a great movie that delivers an exceptional story with a dystopian vibe that is both thrilling and terrifying. John Carpenter's screenplay was ahead of its time in terms of its social commentary on American capitalism and the class divide. The film's story explores how a small group of people has taken control of the world by using subliminal messaging and manipulation, making it a unique sci-fi tale that is still relevant today. I particularly loved how the film built tension and hysteria in many scenes, such as the protagonist's discovery of the truth behind the hidden messages. The performances in the film were okay, with some being better than others. Keith David and Meg Foster's performances stood out as impressive, bringing a sense of intensity and authenticity to their roles. On the other hand, Roddy Piper's performance was pretty corny, but it worked well for the film's B-movie style. Of course, nothing beats the iconic line "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum." John Carpenter's direction was top-notch as always, with the ten-minute fight scene between John and Frank being a standout moment. The choreography was fantastic, and the lack of cuts made it a thrilling and believable engagement. The film's score was pretty basic, but it added a subtle tension to the entire movie and had a distinctly 80s feel to it. Carpenter's vision on analyzing American capitalism and the rich was very refreshing, and it's clear how he felt about the American way, which is still very relevant 35 years later. In conclusion, They Live is a great movie that combines a unique sci-fi story, impressive direction, and memorable performances. Its themes and message remain just as important today as they were when the movie was first released. Score: 80% Verdict: Great