

The Thing
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Audience Sentiment
The Norris chest scene
MacReady takes command
The massive jump from the slower investigation sequences to the shocking Norris chest transformation, representing a leap from solid filmmaking to groundbreaking horror cinema
Reviews show The Thing building from a strong mysterious opening to become a masterpiece of practical effects and paranoia-driven horror. The film consistently delivers high-quality tension with several transcendent moments of body horror, culminating in a universally praised ambiguous ending.
Full cast

Kurt Russell
MacReady

Wilford Brimley
Blair

T.K. Carter
Nauls

David Clennon
Palmer

Keith David
Childs

Richard Dysart
Dr. Copper

Charles Hallahan
Norris

Peter Maloney
Bennings

Richard Masur
Clark

Donald Moffat
Garry

Joel Polis
Fuchs

Thomas G. Waites
Windows

Norbert Weisser
Norwegian

Larry Franco
Norwegian Passenger with Rifle
Nate Irwin
Helicopter Pilot
William Zeman
Pilot

John Carpenter
Norwegian (video footage) (uncredited)

Adrienne Barbeau
Computer (voice) (uncredited)
Crew
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