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They Live

They Live

7,3 /10 (3,548 Votes)
1988 EN 93 min

Overview

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

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Release date

04/11/1988

Votes

3,548

Popularity

11.4

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.

Status

Released

Language

EN

Runtime

93 min

Budget

$4,000,000

Revenue

$13,000,000

Roddy Piper

Roddy Piper

John Nada

Keith David

Keith David

Frank Armitage

Meg Foster

Meg Foster

Holly Thompsen

George Buck Flower

George Buck Flower

Drifter

Peter Jason

Peter Jason

Gilbert

Raymond St. Jacques

Raymond St. Jacques

Street Preacher

Jason Robards III

Jason Robards III

Family Man

John Lawrence

John Lawrence

Bearded Man

Susan Barnes

Susan Barnes

Brown Haired Woman

Sy Richardson

Sy Richardson

Black Revolutionary

No photo

Wendy Brainard

Family Man's Daughter

No photo

Lucille Meredith

Female Interviewer

Susan Blanchard

Susan Blanchard

Ingenue

Norman Alden

Norman Alden

Foreman

No photo

Dana Bratton

Black Junkie

John F. Goff

John F. Goff

Well Dressed Customer

No photo

Norman D. Wilson

Vendor

No photo

Thelma Lee

Rich Lady

No photo

Stratton Leopold

Depressed Human

No photo

Rezza Shan

Arab Clerk

Norman Howell

Norman Howell

Blonde Haired Cop

Larry Franco

Larry Franco

Neighbor

No photo

Tom Searle

Biker

Robert Grasmere

Robert Grasmere

Scruffy Blonde Man

No photo

Vince Inneo

Passageway Guard

No photo

Bob Hudson

Passageway Guard #2

No photo

Jon Paul Jones

Manager

No photo

Dennis Michael

Male News Anchor

No photo

Nancy Gee

Female News Anchor

No photo

Claudia Stanlee

Young Female Executive

No photo

Christine Anne Baur

Woman on Phone

Eileen Wesson

Eileen Wesson

Pregnant Secretary

Gregory J. Barnett

Gregory J. Barnett

Security Guard #1

No photo

Jim Nickerson

Security Guard #2

No photo

Kerry Rossall

2nd Unit Guard

No photo

Cibby Danyla

Naked Lady

Jeff Imada

Jeff Imada

Male Ghoul

No photo

Michelle Costello

Female Ghoul

Jeb Stuart Adams

Jeb Stuart Adams

Homeless kid (uncredited)

Jennifer Austin

Jennifer Austin

Teenage Girl (uncredited)

No photo

Michael Forino

Ghoul at Bar (uncredited)

No photo

Robert V. Greene

TV Technician (uncredited)

No photo

Helen Kelly

Woman at the Dinner Party (uncredited)

Al Leong

Al Leong

Asian Revolutionary (uncredited)

Gunnar Magg

Gunnar Magg

Male Ghoulie (uncredited)

Matt McColm

Matt McColm

Police Officer (uncredited)

Tommy Morrison

Tommy Morrison

Dave - Resistance Fighter (uncredited)

John Carpenter

John Carpenter

Voice That Says 'Sleep' (voice) (uncredited)

Original Soundtrack

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T

tmdb87069603

2012-06-05

⭐ 10

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 mora…

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John Chard

John Chard

2014-09-26

⭐ 8

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! C…

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Nathan

Nathan

2023-05-15

⭐ 8

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 message…

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