11 Horror Remakes Better Than The Original

In Jack Finney's novel, The Body Snatchers, the residents of a small town discover extra-terrestrial pods are replacing humans with emotionless doppelgängers. As paranoia spreads, the townsfolk try to resist and expose The Pod People.

Finney's outlandish tale was frightfully relatable, since it explores social anxiety and mob mentality, which was fervent during the McCarthy era at the time. Despite being released in 1956, Invasion of the Body Snatchers lost none of its power, due to its brilliant writing, nerve-wracking atmosphere, and powerful performances.

And yet, there's no doubt the 1978 one is superior. Though the Communist subtext is apparent in the 1956 film, the 1978 one deals with paranoia in a general way, making it timeless. It masterfully implements haunting visuals without relying on excess gore (especially the Man-Dog shot). The Pod People emit an animalistic cry upon locating a real human, accentuating the terror every time the characters are in danger.

Above all else, it perfectly demonstrates the futility that humanity experiences when faced with an overpowering threat. Each Invasion of the Body Snatchers showcases the characters suffering from pangs of hopeless, but it never hits as hard as in this adaptation.