10 Best Body Horror Movies

1. The Thing

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Universal Pictures

The Thing, with the exception of Halloween, is John Carpenter's best work. It is also the best example of the body horror sub-genre and one of the all time great sci-fi horror movies.

The effects work by Rob Bottin was genius by 1982 standards and represented a pinnacle moment for make-up artistry and practical effects work which still stands up to this day.

The story is very tight and delivered perfectly by the excellent cast which is led by Kurt Russell as MacReady. The action plays out at an Antarctic U.S. outpost and begins with a dog racing into the camp whilst being pursued by several Norwegian scientists with guns. The Norwegians are killed by the U.S. camp residents and the dog is taken in by the camp.

The ensuing drama, as the weather closes in and the alien takes over the crew, is as claustrophobic and relentless as any plot in cinema. The infamously intense blood test scene stands out significantly and the climactic effects in several key scenes are terrifying and brilliantly executed. It is simply a flawless piece of sci-fi horror which will grip you from start to finish.

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Film graduate and Project Manager from Newcastle Upon Tyne, horror obsessive, defender of underappreciated movies, lover of old school wrestling, catalogue of useless music trivia, aspiring author and all round moaner