Fanlore:Featured Article Archives/2022: Week 20
The Thing is a 1982 horror & science fiction film directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell. It is an adaptation of the novella Who Goes There? written by John W. Campbell. The film tells the story of a research team in Antarctica that is threatened by the titular Thing: a deadly parasitic alien that can infect people and shapeshift into them, copying their personalities and memories. As anyone in the group may be the Thing, paranoia, distrust and conflict set in the group.
At the time of the original theatrical release, The Thing was a commercial disappointment and panned by both critics and John Carpenter's fanbase. However, over time, it has been reappraised as one of the best science fiction and horror films of all time. After being released on home video and television, a cult following developed around The Thing that has remained active. Notable fandom activities include film screenings, fanworks, theorizing, and more. The fandom's dedication has gained attention from film scholars and media outlets.