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They Live

1988 1h 33m
Science Fiction Action Thriller
MOVIEVIBE Rating
7.3/10
3,622 reviews
Your Rating
They Live

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.

"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."

Top Billed Cast

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
John Lawrence
John Lawrence
Bearded Man

Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews

T tmdb87069603 Verified TMDB Critic
2012-06-05

I have to admit up front to liking every single, John Carpenter movie. They are works of art in there unique style and quality. This is actually my favorite of all of them. There could be a criticism that this movie is didactic and sends some sort of clumsy political or philosophical message but I'd have to reply that you simply don't get it. Unlike the modern propensity for movies to try to hammer home some political point or perspective, the message here is only window dressing. The message may (or may not) be important but instead of getting caught up in some sort of self-important mora...

J John Chard Verified TMDB Critic
2014-09-26

Life's a bitch and she's back on heat!

They Live is directed by John Carpenter who also adapts the screenplay form the short story Eight O'Clock in the Morning written by Ray Nelson. It stars Roddy Piper, Keith David and Meg Foster. Music is by Alan Howarth (and Carpenter) and cinematography by Gary B. Kibbe.

Unemployed drifter Nada (Piper) wanders into the city looking to find work, but upon finding a unique pair of sunglasses he sees a different world to everyone else. It's a world frequented by an alien race who are using the Earth for their own nefarious means.

See The Truth!

C...

N Nathan Verified TMDB Critic
2023-05-15

They Live is a great movie that delivers an exceptional story with a dystopian vibe that is both thrilling and terrifying.

John Carpenter's screenplay was ahead of its time in terms of its social commentary on American capitalism and the class divide. The film's story explores how a small group of people has taken control of the world by using subliminal messaging and manipulation, making it a unique sci-fi tale that is still relevant today. I particularly loved how the film built tension and hysteria in many scenes, such as the protagonist's discovery of the truth behind the hidden message...