They influence our decisions without us knowing it. They numb our senses without us feeling it. They control our lives without us realizing it. They live.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 4 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Roddy Piper | ... |
Nada
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| Keith David | ... |
Frank
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| Meg Foster | ... |
Holly
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| George 'Buck' Flower | ... |
Drifter
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| Peter Jason | ... |
Gilbert
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| Raymond St. Jacques | ... |
Street Preacher
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| Jason Robards III | ... |
Family Man
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John Lawrence | ... |
Bearded Man
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Susan Barnes | ... |
Brown Haired Woman
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| Sy Richardson | ... |
Black Revolutionary
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Wendy Brainard | ... |
Family Man's Daughter
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| Lucille Meredith | ... |
Female Interviewer
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| Susan Blanchard | ... |
Ingenue
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| Norman Alden | ... |
Foreman
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Dana Bratton | ... |
Black Junkie
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| John F. Goff | ... |
Well Dressed Customer
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Thelma Lee | ... |
Rich Lady
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Stratton Leopold | ... |
Depressed Human
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Rezza Shan | ... |
Arab Clerk
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| Norman Howell | ... |
Blonde Haired Cop
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| Larry Franco | ... |
Neighbor
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Tom Searle | ... |
Biker
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Robert Grasmere | ... |
Scruffy Blonde Man
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Vince Inneo | ... |
Passageway Guard
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Bob Hudson | ... |
Passageway Guard #2
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Jon Paul Jones | ... |
Manager
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Dennis Cosmo Michael | ... |
Male News Anchor
(as Dennis Michael)
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Nancy Gee | ... |
Female News Anchor
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Claudia Stanlee | ... |
Young Female Executive
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Christine Anne Baur | ... |
Woman on Phone
(as Christine Baur)
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Eileen Wesson | ... |
Pregnant Secretary
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| Gregory J. Barnett | ... |
Security Guard #1
(as Gregory Barnett)
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Jimmy Nickerson | ... |
Security Guard #2
(as Jim Nickerson)
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| Kerry Rossall | ... |
2nd Unit Guard
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Cibby Danyla | ... |
Naked Lady
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| Jeff Imada | ... |
Male Ghoul
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Michelle Costello | ... |
Female Ghoul
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Jeb Stuart Adams | ... |
Homeless Kid (uncredited)
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| Jennifer Austin | ... |
Teenage Girl (uncredited)
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| John Carpenter | ... |
Voice That Says 'Sleep' (uncredited) (voice)
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| Michael Forino | ... |
Ghoul at Bar (uncredited)
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Robert V. Greene | ... |
TV Technician (uncredited)
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Kelly | ... |
Woman at the Dinner Party (uncredited)
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| Al Leong | ... |
Asian Revolutionary (uncredited)
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Gunnar Magg | ... |
Male Ghoul (uncredited)
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| Matt McColm | ... |
Police Officer (uncredited)
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| Tommy Morrison | ... |
Dave - Resistance Fighter (uncredited)
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Peter Rodkey | ... |
Office Worker (uncredited)
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| Norman D. Wilson | ... |
Newspaper Vendor (uncredited)
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Brian Wright | ... |
Master Control Operator (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Carpenter | ... | (directed by) |
Written by
| Ray Nelson | ... | (short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning") |
| John Carpenter | ... | (screenplay) (as Frank Armitage) |
Produced by
| Andre Blay | ... | executive producer |
| Larry Franco | ... | producer |
| Shep Gordon | ... | executive producer |
| Sandy King | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| John Carpenter | ... | (music by) |
| Alan Howarth | ... | (music by) |
Cinematography by
| Gary B. Kibbe | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Gib Jaffe | ||
| Frank E. Jimenez | ||
Editorial Department
| Gary Burritt | ... | negative cutter |
| Phil Downey | ... | color timer |
| Margaret Goodspeed | ... | assistant film editor |
| Paul Sage | ... | colorist: remastered version |
| Frederick Wardell | ... | assistant film editor (as Fred M. Wardell) |
| Richard Alderete | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Art Direction by
| William J. Durrell Jr. | ||
| Daniel A. Lomino | ... | (as Daniel Lomino) |
Set Decoration by
| Marvin March | ||
Makeup Department
| Elle Elliott | ... | hair stylist |
| Michael Mills | ... | prosthetic makeup artist |
| Francisco X. Pérez | ... | makeup artist (as Frank Carrisosa) |
Production Management
| Stratton Leopold | ... | unit production manager |
| Alan Levine | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Larry Franco | ... | first assistant director |
| Artist W. Robinson | ... | second assistant director (as Artist Robinson) |
| B. Scott Senechal | ... | dga trainee (as Scott Senechal) |
Art Department
| Jack Eberhart | ... | lead man |
| Dick Girod | ... | paint foreman (as Richard Girod) |
| Sean Haworth | ... | art department assistant |
| Richard M. Kerns | ... | assistant property (as Richard Kerns) |
| Frank Leasure | ... | propmaker |
| Ernie Millanponce | ... | stand-by painter |
| Vic Petrotta Jr. | ... | property master (as Victor Petrotta Jr.) |
| Gregori Renta | ... | swing |
| John Sweeney | ... | assistant property master |
| Kenneth Truby | ... | labor foreman |
| Michael Wright | ... | construction foreman |
| Steven Curtis Husch | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
| Luigi Mugavero | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Roberta Alstadter | ... | foley recordist |
| John H. Arrufat | ... | sound editor (as J.H. Arrufat) |
| Gregg Barbanell | ... | foley artist |
| Gary Blufer | ... | sound effects recordist |
| Mark Boisseau | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Larry Carow | ... | sound editor |
| Samuel C. Crutcher | ... | sound editor |
| Laurie Ecker | ... | sound effects coordinator |
| John Michael Fanaris | ... | sound effects coordinator |
| Frank A. Fuller Jr. | ... | sound effects researcher |
| Walter A. Gest | ... | sound re-recordist |
| Hector C. Gika | ... | sound editor |
| Douglas Greenfield | ... | stereo consultant: Dolby |
| Gary A. Hecker | ... | foley artist (as Gary Hecker) |
| Timothy A. Hoggatt | ... | foley mixer (as Timothy Hoggatt) |
| Michael Hoskinson | ... | foley editor (as Mike Hoskinson) |
| Alan Howarth | ... | synthesized sound effects |
| Robert Jackson | ... | boom operator |
| Ron Judkins | ... | sound mixer |
| John Leveque | ... | sound editor |
| Robert J. Litt | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Bob O'Brien | ... | foley editor |
| Thomas J. O'Connell | ... | adr recordist (as Tom O'Connell) |
| Sergio Reyes | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Gary D. Rogers | ... | adr mixer (as Gary Rogers) |
| Jeffrey L. Sandler | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Solange S. Schwalbe | ... | adr editor (as Solange Schwalbe Boisseau) |
| Becky Sullivan | ... | supervising adr editor (as Becky Sullivan-Coblentz) |
| Shawn Sykora | ... | foley editor |
| Elliot Tyson | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Donald L. Warner Jr. | ... | sound editor (as Don Warner) |
| Tim Webb | ... | sound recordist |
| Richard E. Yawn | ... | foley supervisor |
| David Napoli | ... | utility sound (uncredited) |
| Justin Valenzuela | ... | Atmos Mix (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Michael Arbogast | ... | special effects assistant |
| Roy Arbogast | ... | special effects coordinator |
| David Blitstein | ... | special effects assistant |
| Jim Danforth | ... | special photographic effects |
| Scott Garcia | ... | special effects technician |
| William Lee | ... | special effects assistant |
Stunts
| Rick Avery | ... | stunts |
| Gregory J. Barnett | ... | stunts |
| Christine Anne Baur | ... | stunts (as Christine Baur) |
| Simone Boisseree | ... | stunts |
| John Borland | ... | stunts |
| Brad Bovee | ... | stunts |
| John Branagan | ... | stunts |
| Tony Brubaker | ... | stunts (as Anthony Brubaker) |
| Kurt Bryant | ... | stunts |
| David Burton | ... | stunts |
| David Cadiente | ... | stunts |
| James J. Casino | ... | stunts (as Jimmy Casino) |
| John Casino | ... | stunts (as John J. Casino) |
| Phil Chong | ... | stunts |
| Gary Combs | ... | stunts |
| Gilbert B. Combs | ... | stunts |
| Bob K. Cummings | ... | stunts |
| Gary Davis | ... | stunts (as Gary Charles Davis) |
| Tim A. Davison | ... | stunts (as Tim Davison) |
| Shane Dixon | ... | stunts |
| Cheryl Wheeler Duncan | ... | stunts (as Cheryl Wheeler-Dixon) |
| Richard L. Duran | ... | stunts (as Richard Duran) |
| Eurlyne Epper | ... | stunts |
| Gary Epper | ... | stunts |
| Jon H. Epstein | ... | stunts |
| Debbie Evans | ... | stunts |
| Diamond Farnsworth | ... | stunts |
| George Fisher | ... | stunts |
| Joe Gilbride | ... | stunts (as Joseph G. Gilbride) |
| Andy Gill | ... | stunts |
| Allan Graf | ... | stunts |
| Randy Hall | ... | stunts |
| Steve Hart | ... | stunts |
| Eddie Hice | ... | stunts |
| Freddie Hice | ... | stunts |
| Marcia Holley | ... | stunts |
| Norman Howell | ... | stunts |
| Brian Imada | ... | stunts |
| Jeff Imada | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Mike Johnson | ... | stunts (as John Michael Johnson) |
| Matt Johnston | ... | stunts (as Matt D. Johnston) |
| Henry Kingi | ... | stunts |
| Joel Kramer | ... | stunts |
| Daniel Lee | ... | stunts (as Daniel Eric Lee) |
| Al Leong | ... | stunts |
| James Lew | ... | stunts |
| Billy D. Lucas | ... | stunts |
| Eric Mansker | ... | stunts |
| Matt McColm | ... | stunts |
| John Meier | ... | stunts (as John C. Meier) |
| Bennie Moore | ... | stunts (as Bennie E. Moore Jr.) |
| Donna L. Noguchi | ... | stunts |
| Chuck Picerni Jr. | ... | stunts (as Charles Picerni Jr.) |
| Branscombe Richmond | ... | stunts |
| Danny Rogers | ... | stunts |
| Ronnie Rondell Jr. | ... | stunts |
| Thomas Rosales Jr. | ... | stunts |
| Tim Roslan | ... | stunts (as Timothy Roslan) |
| Debby Lynn Ross | ... | stunts |
| Michael Runyard | ... | stunts (as Mike Runyard) |
| Ben Scott | ... | stunts |
| John-Clay Scott | ... | stunts |
| Walter Scott | ... | stunts |
| Jan Michael Shultz | ... | stunts |
| Christopher Corey Smith | ... | stunts (as Chris Kent) |
| Russell Solberg | ... | stunts |
| Ceci Vendrell | ... | stunts |
| Michael M. Vendrell | ... | stunts |
| Ric Roman Waugh | ... | stunts (as Ric Waugh) |
| Danny Weselis | ... | stunts |
| Scott Wilder | ... | stunts |
| Dianne L. Wilson | ... | stunts (as Dianne Wilson) |
| Merritt Yohnka | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Kevin Arnold | ... | electrician |
| Sidney Ray Baldwin | ... | still photographer (as Sidney Baldwin) |
| Sanford Barr | ... | electrician |
| Bruce Birmelin | ... | still photographer |
| Clyde E. Bryan | ... | first assistant camera: second camera |
| Ron Cardarelli | ... | key grip (as Ronald Cardarelli) |
| Larry D. Davis | ... | second assistant camera (as Larry Davis) |
| Robert DePerna | ... | electrician |
| Anthony Di Mase | ... | grip (as Anthony DiMase) |
| Jud Kehl | ... | camera operator |
| John T. Kennedy | ... | best boy electrician (as John Kennedy) |
| Jeffrey Norvet | ... | first assistant camera |
| John Palka | ... | best boy grip |
| Robin Roberts | ... | grip |
| Richard Smock | ... | electrician |
| Ken Spencer | ... | gaffer (as Kenneth Spencer) |
| Raymond Stella | ... | camera operator: second camera (as Raymond N. Stella) / panaglide operator (as Raymond N. Stella) |
| Dave Wachtman | ... | dolly grip (as David Wachtman) |
| Richard A. Anderson | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Sid Lucero | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Randy Nolen | ... | steadicam operator (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Barbara Harris | ... | voice casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Robert Lewis Bush | ... | costumer (as Robert Bush) |
| Robin Michel Bush | ... | costume supervisor (as Robin Bush) |
| John Melvin Young | ... | costumer (as John Young) |
Location Management
| Ken Lavet | ... | location manager |
Script and Continuity Department
| Sandy King | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| George Bess | ... | driver |
| Fred Brookfield | ... | driver |
| James R. Brown | ... | driver (as Jim Brown) |
| Russ Buckens | ... | driver |
| Bob Cromwell | ... | driver |
| James Langhorne | ... | driver (as Jim Langhorne) |
| Stephen A. Latina | ... | driver (as Steve Latina) |
| Leo Loa | ... | driver |
| John Marendi | ... | driver |
| Dennis McLaughlin | ... | driver (as Denny McLaughlin) |
| Frank Mielcarek | ... | driver |
| Thomas M. Reposar | ... | driver (as Mike Reposar) |
| Tim Roslan | ... | transportation captain |
| Kenny Searle | ... | transportation coordinator |
Additional Crew
| Rick Chavez | ... | craft service (as Richard Chavez) |
| Karin Costa | ... | assistant: Mr. Carpenter |
| Maurice Costello | ... | first aid |
| James Deeth | ... | helicopter pilot |
| Mathew Dunne | ... | production associate |
| Billie Don Evans | ... | helicopter pilot |
| Joy Ewing | ... | production accountant |
| T.Z. Garrison | ... | stand-in |
| E. Barry Haldeman | ... | production legal counsel (as E. Barry Haldeman Esq.) |
| Sandra Holden | ... | assistant: Mr. Franco |
| Gregory Parrish | ... | stand-in |
| Marian Shambo | ... | production coordinator |
| Jill L. Smith | ... | production legal counsel (as Jill L. Smith Esq.) |
| Mark A. Stankevich | ... | production legal counsel (as Mark A. Stankevich Esq.) |
| Larry Sulkis | ... | producer: commercials |
| Angel Trujillo | ... | caterer |
| Boris Beaubien | ... | manager: Technicolor Information Services (uncredited) / technician: Technicolor Information Services (uncredited) |
| Michael Forino | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Lynnanne Zager | ... | voices (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Alive Films (presents)
- Larry Franco Productions
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1988) (United States) (theatrical)
- TriStar Pictures (1988) (Non-US) (theatrical) (unconfirmed)
- Universal Pictures Canada (1988) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Carolco Pictures (1988) (Non-US) (sales)
- Cecchi Gori Distribuzione (1989) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (1989) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Elliniki Kinimatografiki Enosi (ELKE) (1989) (Greece) (theatrical)
- Fox Columbia TriStar Films (1989) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Guild Film Distribution (1989) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Metropolitan Filmexport (1989) (France) (theatrical)
- Senator Film (1989) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Toho-Towa (1989) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Vestron Benelux (1989) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Guild Home Video (1989) (United Kingdom) (video) (laserdisc)
- Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1989) (Greece) (VHS)
- MCA Home Video (1989) (Canada) (VHS)
- MCA Home Video (1989) (United States) (VHS)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1989) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Pioneer LDCE (1989) (United Kingdom) (video) (laserdisc)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1989) (Australia) (VHS)
- Starlight (1989) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Video Screen (1989) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- VideoVisa (1990) (Mexico) (VHS)
- Laurenfilm (1992) (Spain) (theatrical) (as Lauren Films)
- Splendor Films (2019) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- Astro Distribution (1999) (Germany) (VHS)
- Audio Visual Enterprises (2001) (Greece) (DVD)
- Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2008) (United Arab Emirates) (DVD) (Middle East)
- ITVX (2023) (United Kingdom) (video) (VOD)
- Image Entertainment (1998) (Canada) (DVD)
- Image Entertainment (1998) (United States) (DVD)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2002) (Germany) (DVD)
- Momentum Pictures Home Entertainment (2002) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Optimum Home Entertainment (2008) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray)
- Optimum Home Entertainment (2008) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Peacock (2021) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- Pioneer LDC (2003) (Japan) (DVD)
- RTL Entertainment (1994) (Netherlands) (tv) (RTL5)
- RTL Plus (1991) (Germany) (tv)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2002) (Finland) (DVD)
- Scream Factory (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (collector's edition)
- Scream Factory (2020) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray) (collector's edition)
- Showtime Video (1990) (Finland) (VHS)
- Spectra Filmworks (2008) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- StudioCanal (2015) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- StudioCanal (2018) (Germany) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Studiocanal Vidéo (2004) (France) (DVD)
- TC Entertainment (2014) (Japan) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- TNT (1997) (United States) (tv) (MonsterVision)
- Universal Pictures Finland (2009) (Finland) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2009) (Canada) (DVD) (4 film collection)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2009) (United States) (DVD) (4 film collection)
- Visionary Thinking (2015) (Serbia) (tv)
- Vista Films Ltd. (2005) (Non-US) (digital distributor)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1997) (Finland) (tv)
- Zeque Productions (2014) (Japan) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
Special Effects
- Effects Associates (special photographic effects)
- Hansard (process compositing)
Other Companies
- Control Data Corporation (special thanks)
- Denali Productions Inc. (commercials produced by)
- ETA Systems Inc. (special thanks)
- Electric Melody Studios (music recorded at)
- Goldwyn Sound Facility (re-recorded at)
- Gordon Ecker Productions (supervising sound editing)
- Greater St. Peter's AME Church, Atlanta, GA (special thanks)
- Inter Video (video playback)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Mario's Catering (caterers)
- Pacific Title (titles and opticals)
- Sally Perle & Associates (extras casting)
- The Goodyear Airship 'Columbia' (special thanks)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Nada, a down-on-his-luck construction worker, discovers a pair of special sunglasses. Wearing them, he is able to see the world as it really is: people being bombarded by media and government with messages like "Stay Asleep", "No Imagination", "Submit to Authority". Even scarier is that he is able to see that some usually normal-looking people are in fact ugly aliens in charge of the massive campaign to keep humans subdued.
Written by Melissa Portell |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum." See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
| Also Known As |
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Box Office
| Budget | $4,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $4,827,000, 06 Nov 1988 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | John Carpenter brought real "homeless folks" into the production for several scenes and smaller characters and gave them food as well as paychecks. "I thought that was a pretty classy thing to do," said Roddy Piper. See more » |
| Goofs | The alien at the magazine stand gets his change twice. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into The Arrivals (2008). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Rock of Ages See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The screenplay writer for "They Live" which is credited to "Frank Armitage", does not exist. John Carpenter used many pseudonyms when giving credit to his works in films. With his vast amount of work that he did himself, (directing, producing, writing and composing the musical scores), he did not want to appear to be braggadocios and vain by having his name appear over and over in the credits of his movies. See more » |
| Quotes |
Nada:
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum. See more » |