10 Best Creature Features Of The 1980s

In the eyes and hearts of many, 1982's The Thing is the cornerstone of practical effects. Despite the advancements CGI has made, few can compete with what SFX visionary Rob Bottin accomplished on John Carpenter's masterful remake.

The visuals are so sublime, it's easy to forget that every other aspect of The Thing is perfect. No shot is wasted, not a single line is thrown away, and every character, no matter how minor, feels needed and realised thanks to the impeccable cast. Ennio Morricone's eerie soundtrack complements every scene perfectly, and exposition dumps are kept to a minimum since many plot elements and character conflicts are explored through visual storytelling.

But what really sells the movie is the atmosphere. Although the alien rarely makes itself known, every scene is drenched in insurmountable tension due to it being established early on that the shapeshifting creature can be anyone or anywhere. The blood-testing sequence is so nail-biting, it's hard not to jump out of your skin, even on repeated viewings.

The Thing's failure at the box office may be the stuff of legends, but it's clear why people are still discussing John Carpenter's magnum opus 40 years after its release.