IMDb RATING
5.9/10
9.4K
YOUR RATING
The Earth is invaded by stingray-shaped alien "slugs" that ride on people's backs and control their minds.The Earth is invaded by stingray-shaped alien "slugs" that ride on people's backs and control their minds.The Earth is invaded by stingray-shaped alien "slugs" that ride on people's backs and control their minds.
- Awards
- 2 nominations
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFor the seduction scene where Mary tries turn Sam back with one of her alien slugs, Julie Warner had to wear an apparatus that looked similar to her back with the creature's movements guided by a team of puppeteers and make up effects crew.
- GoofsWhen asked for the town's population, the figure is stated as 10,001. The population on the sign shown at the beginning is 10,079.
The town sign writer is not doing his job.
- Quotes
Niven: It's the kid from the spaceship. Get him off the car.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Another Top 10 Scariest Movie Aliens (2015)
Featured review
Better Than Expected
One science-fiction film that turns out to be less disappointing than expected is this loose adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein's novel.
Donald (give me another part in an alien pod movie) Sutherland interprets the role of Adam "The Old Man" Nivens, head of a secret government protection agency that has its hands full trying to stop an alien invasion by slug-like mental parasites which tap into people's brains, controlling them toward their own ends.
Eric Thal (of A STRANGER AMONG US) draws a blank where a strong character should be in the role of Sam, son of the Old Man, and fellow agent. Julie Warner (from DOC HOLLYWOOD) fares a little better as Mary, a NASA xenobiologist along for the roller coaster ride.
The opening scenes do justice to the setting and atmosphere of the book, and the skeleton of the original plot is unpredictable and thrilling, but eventually, the compromises in adaptation give rise to Hollywood-style sci-fi conventions such as alien hives.
Several realistic, key elements are thrown out, along with almost all of the sharp dialogue which made the book a hit.
However, the special effects are convincing, and the cinematography and editing are streamlined and tight. Far from being definitive, this version of the tale is nonetheless sufficiently satisfying and worth a look.
Donald (give me another part in an alien pod movie) Sutherland interprets the role of Adam "The Old Man" Nivens, head of a secret government protection agency that has its hands full trying to stop an alien invasion by slug-like mental parasites which tap into people's brains, controlling them toward their own ends.
Eric Thal (of A STRANGER AMONG US) draws a blank where a strong character should be in the role of Sam, son of the Old Man, and fellow agent. Julie Warner (from DOC HOLLYWOOD) fares a little better as Mary, a NASA xenobiologist along for the roller coaster ride.
The opening scenes do justice to the setting and atmosphere of the book, and the skeleton of the original plot is unpredictable and thrilling, but eventually, the compromises in adaptation give rise to Hollywood-style sci-fi conventions such as alien hives.
Several realistic, key elements are thrown out, along with almost all of the sharp dialogue which made the book a hit.
However, the special effects are convincing, and the cinematography and editing are streamlined and tight. Far from being definitive, this version of the tale is nonetheless sufficiently satisfying and worth a look.
helpful•477
- elihu-2
- May 13, 2000
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Robert A. Heinlein's The Puppet Masters
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $8,647,042
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,069,057
- Oct 23, 1994
- Gross worldwide
- $8,647,042
- Runtime1 hour 49 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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