So, You Like Horror? Podcast #84- The Thing From Another World (1951) vs. John Carpenter's The Thing (1982)

So, You Like Horror? Podcast

What’s up, you Thingamajigs? This week on the podcast, Maryland Phil and I, dive deep into two iconic interpretations of John W. Campbell Jr.’s novella Who Goes There?—The Thing from Another World (1951) and John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982). We explore how these two films, separated by three decades, offer drastically different takes on the same terrifying concept.

We start with the 1951 classic, a Cold War-era sci-fi thriller set in an Arctic outpost, where a plant-based alien menace triggers panic and cooperation among a tight-knit military-scientific crew. Then, we descend into the paranoia-soaked landscape of Carpenter’s 1982 remake, where an Antarctic research team is torn apart by a shape-shifting parasite that could be hiding in any one of them.

From Cold War optimism to post-Watergate cynicism, from offscreen menace to grotesque practical effects, we break down:

• Thematic differences: unity vs. paranoia, trust vs. suspicion
• Visual styles and creature design: implied horror vs. unforgettable body horror
• Legacy and influence on modern media: The X-Files, Stranger Things, Among Us, and more

Whether you're a fan of pulp sci-fi or slow-burning existential dread, this episode is for you. Tune in and decide for yourself.

Thank you, everyone, for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@so_you_like_horror⁠⁠⁠ or email us directly at [email protected]. We're open to all conversations, suggestions, topics, and criticisms.

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