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They Live

They Live

Science Fiction · Action · Thriller · 1988

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.

Movie details

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.”

1988 Science Fiction · Action · Thriller 1h 33m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.3 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over They Live?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Carpenter

Written by

John Carpenter

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

Court is in session

Put They Live on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.