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IMDbPro

They Live

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
127K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,590
119
Jeff Imada and Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
In October 2018, several filmmakers were added to the Oxford English Dictionary in adjective form. Somehow, John Carpenter wasn't one of them. Today, we'll travel "Through the Lens" to define John Carpenter's style and influence, to define Carpenteresque, and why the term belongs in the dictionary.
Play clip4:54
Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
127K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,590
119
  • Director
    • John Carpenter
  • Writers
    • Ray Nelson(short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning")
    • John Carpenter(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Roddy Piper
    • Keith David
    • Meg Foster
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Carpenter
  • Writers
    • Ray Nelson(short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning")
    • John Carpenter(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Roddy Piper
    • Keith David
    • Meg Foster
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 506User reviews
    • 225Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary
    Clip 4:54
    Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary

    Photos154

    Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
    Keith David and Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
    Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
    Keith David and Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
    They Live (1988)
    They Live (1988)
    They Live (1988)
    Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
    Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
    Keith David and Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
    They Live (1988)
    Cibby Danyla in They Live (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Roddy Piper
    Roddy Piper
    • Nadaas Nada
    Keith David
    Keith David
    • Frankas Frank
    Meg Foster
    Meg Foster
    • Hollyas Holly
    George 'Buck' Flower
    George 'Buck' Flower
    • Drifteras Drifter
    Peter Jason
    Peter Jason
    • Gilbertas Gilbert
    Raymond St. Jacques
    Raymond St. Jacques
    • Street Preacheras Street Preacher
    Jason Robards III
    Jason Robards III
    • Family Manas Family Man
    John Lawrence
    • Bearded Manas Bearded Man
    Susan Barnes
    • Brown Haired Womanas Brown Haired Woman
    Sy Richardson
    Sy Richardson
    • Black Revolutionaryas Black Revolutionary
    Wendy Brainard
    • Family Man's Daughteras Family Man's Daughter
    Lucille Meredith
    Lucille Meredith
    • Female Intervieweras Female Interviewer
    Susan Blanchard
    Susan Blanchard
    • Ingenueas Ingenue
    Norman Alden
    Norman Alden
    • Foremanas Foreman
    Dana Bratton
    • Black Junkieas Black Junkie
    John F. Goff
    John F. Goff
    • Well Dressed Customeras Well Dressed Customer
    Thelma Lee
    • Rich Ladyas Rich Lady
    Stratton Leopold
    • Depressed Humanas Depressed Human
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • Ray Nelson(short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning")
      • John Carpenter(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      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," says Piper.
    • Goofs
      The alien at the magazine stand gets his change twice.
    • Quotes

      Nada: I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum.

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Arrivals (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Rock of Ages
      (uncredited)

      Music by Thomas Hastings

      Lyrics by Augustus Montague Toplady

      [Heard as one of the songs played on the church tape]

    User reviews506

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Really good movie; Intelligent, deep, funny, entertaining...
    ... And of course very well made, because it's from Carpenter from his good ole days (actually I haven't seen his recent films, from the nineties or so, so I cannot say how good his "days" are now; They might be good also). The plot is bravely "stupid" (if you look the surface), but also "secretly" intelligent and deep, just the same thing as in very many scifi, horror, and even action movies: You have to look at them with open eyes to get the messages. I think this movie is much more interesting, and much more realistic and intellectual, than let's say some french art movie (Farthenheit 951 or something). This is real art. It's from this world, not from some artificial art movie marshmallow fantasy-world. Of course it's very funny film also. You may see the main actor (he's some pro-wrestler?) as some kind of a walking joke. But actually he is perfect for this role. He is like some mythological hero, just like Schwarzenegger or so. He is a symbol. The movie is filled with really good jokes and one-liners that you'll never forget. For example, when the main character comes to a bank, in his intent to kill some "aliens", he shouts: "I'm here to chew bubblegum and kick ass! And I'm all outta bubblegum..." And another comment from him, after he has had a ten-minute long fight with somebody: "Ain't love great!" This is a great cult movie. I'm sure there are many people who watch this regularly, with or without friends, and remember all (at least the good) lines. Perfect entertainment. Recommended.
    helpful•107
    52
    • mkw-5
    • Jan 16, 2006

    FAQ4

    • What is 'They Live' about?
    • Is "They Live" based on a book?
    • What are the differences between the short story and the film?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • John Carpenter's They Live
    • Filming locations
      • Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Alive Films
      • Larry Franco Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $13,008,928
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,827,903
      • Nov 6, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,008,928
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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