Paranoid horror classic about an alien creature infiltrating a polar expedition.
A scientific expedition in Antarctica is violently disrupted by a parasitic alien that manages to hide among the team. When the creature proves to be a shapeshifter, the key question becomes: who’s still human and who’s turned alien? Cue mega-paranoia.
The Thing is based on the science-fiction story Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell Jr., which was in turn inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness. The story was first adapted by Howard Hawks in 1951, but we decided to kick off our theme programme A Tentacular Touch with John Carpenter’s iconic 80’s version. Rarely has a cosmic horror film made us so horribly aware of the insignificance of our existence, thanks in part to Rob Bottin’s practical effects and Ennio Morricone’s chilling score. The Thing is part of Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy (as is In the Mouth of Madness, also screening at Imagine 2025).
On 28 October, The Thing will be presented in collaboration with Cinema Literair. This special screening will include a talkshow about the influence of H.P. Lovecraft on John Carpenter’s classic, presented by Gawie Keyser and scientist and culture expert Dan Hassler-Forest. Afterwards, you’ll be treated by a performance from the Carpenter-inspired Cinema Literair Band.
Please note that the talkshow will be in Dutch.
