|
| language = English
| budget = $3 million
| gross = $13.4 million (North America)<ref name=mojo>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/moviesrelease/rl2088011265/weekend/?page=main&id=theylive.htm|title=They Live|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404114623/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=theylive.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
'''''They Live''''' is a 1988 American [[Sciencescience fiction film|science fiction]] [[action horror film|action]]{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name=mojo/><ref name=Paste/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/they-live-vm1054341659|last=Firsching|first=Robot|title=They Live|website=[[thrillerAllMovie]]|access-date=March film6, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|thrillerurl=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/they-live-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmdexmdc|title=They Live|website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=March 6, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/67101|title=Catalog - They Live|website=[[HorrorAFI film|horrorCatalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=March film6, 2024}}</ref><ref name=Boston/><ref name=RT/>}} written and directed by [[John Carpenter]], based on the 1963 short story "[[Eight O'Clock in the Morning (Ray Nelson)|Eight O'Clock in the Morning]]" by [[Ray Nelson (author)|Ray Nelson]]. Starring [[Roddy Piper]], [[Keith David]], and [[Meg Foster]], the film follows an unnameda [[Vagrant|drifter]]{{efn|The character is referred to as "Nada" in the film's credits, which is Spanish for "Nothing"; in the original short story, the name of the character is George Nada. "Nada" is also the name of a short [[comic book]] published in ''[[Alien Encounters (comics)|Alien Encounters]]'' in 1986, which was adapted from the same short story as ''They Live''.}} who discovers through special sunglasses that the ruling class are aliens concealing their appearance and manipulating people to consume, breed, and conform to the ''[[status quo]]'' via [[subliminal messages]] in [[mass media]].
Having acquired the film rights to the Nelson-penned short story prior to the production of ''They Live'', Carpenter used the story as the basis for the screenplay's structure, which he wrote under the pseudonym "Frank Armitage". Carpenter has stated that the themes of ''They Live'' stemmed from his dissatisfaction with the [[Reaganomics|economic policies]] of then-U.S. President [[Ronald Reagan]], as well as what Carpenter saw as increasing commercialization in both popular culture and politics.<ref name="Clark 2013">{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Noelene|date=May 11, 2013 |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/john-carpenter-they-live-was-about-giving-the-finger-to-reagan/#/0|title=John Carpenter: 'They Live' was about 'giving the finger to Reagan' |work=Hero Complex |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |access-date=August 17, 2015 |archive-date=September 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918224930/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/john-carpenter-they-live-was-about-giving-the-finger-to-reagan/#/0 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
''They Live'' was a minor success upon release, debuting at #1 at the North American box office. It initially received negative reviews from critics, who lambasted its social commentary, writing, and acting; however, it later gained a [[cult following]] and experienced a significantly more favorable critical reception. It is now regarded by many as one of Carpenter's best films.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://ew.com/movies/best-john-carpenter-movies/ | title=The 13 best John Carpenter movies, ranked | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] }}</ref><ref name=Paste>{{cite web | url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/john-carpenter/halloween-movies-ranked-filmography-the-thing-master-of-horror/ | title=Every John Carpenter Movie, Ranked }}</ref> The film has also entered the [[pop culture]] lexicon, notably having a lasting effect on [[street art]] (particularly that of [[Shepard Fairey]]).
==Plot==
ANada, a homeless drifter—creditedman, as "Nada"—comescomes to [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]] in searchpursuit of a job., While out on the street,where he seesspots a [[Open-air preaching|street preacher]] warning that "they" have recruited the rich and powerful to control humanity. NadaHe finds employment at a construction site and isbefriends befriended byhis coworker Frank, who invites him to live in a [[shantyshantytown town]]near soupa kitchenchurch ledand bymeets atheir mancommunity namedleader Gilbert.
That night, aA hacker takes over televisionTV broadcasts, claimingalerting that scientistshumanity haveis discovered"their signals that are enslaving the populationcattle" and keeping them in a dream-like state, and that the only way to stopunfold the ittruth is to shut off the signal at its source. Those watching the broadcast complain of headaches. Nada secretly follows Gilbert and the preacher into the church, discovering a nearbyrecording churchof andgospel discoversmusic themplaying that unbeknownst to Nada obscures a meeting with a group that includesincluding the hacker. HeNada seesalso scientificuncovers equipment and cardboard boxes inside, but escapes when he bumps into the preacher. NadaThe isshantytown discoveredand bychurch are destroyed in a police raid, and the blindhacker and preacher andare escapesbrutalized by law enforcement officers.
The shantytown and church are both destroyed in a police raid in the same night, and the hacker and preacher are beaten by riot police. The following day, Nada retrieves one of the boxes from the church and takes a pair of sunglasses from it, hidingconcealing the restbox in a trash canpile. NadaHe discoversfinds thatout the sunglassesthey make the world appear monochrome, but also reveal [[subliminal messages]] in the media to consume, reproduce, and conform. The glassesmost alsopuzzling reveal, however, is they also disclose that many people are actually ghoulish, bug-eyed aliens hiding under human facades. Additionally, the creatures have wristwatch communicators that allow them to [[Teleportation|teleport]], along with skull-likesurveillance drones. When a group of aliens at a supermarket realize Nada can detect them, he is confronted by two alien police officers. He kills them, steals their guns, and enters a bank, where he sees that multiple employees and customers are aliens. He kills several and escapes by taking a human, Holly Thompson, hostage. Nada attempts to persuade her to put on the glasses, but she throws him out of a window and down a faceshill.
While Nada retrieves another pair of sunglasses from the trash pile, Frank comes to give Nada his paycheck and orders him to stay away following Nada's killing spree becoming widespread news. When Nada tries to put the glasses on him, Frank resists and a lengthy brawl ensues. After subduing him, Nada places the glasses on Frank, who sees the aliens for himself and goes into hiding with Nada. The two run into Gilbert, who introduces them to the human resistance. They are given [[contact lens]]es to replace the sunglasses, and learn about the aliens using [[Climate change|global warming]] to make Earth's atmosphere similar to their homeworld, while depleting its resources for their own gain. They also learn that the aliens have been bribing human collaborators in exchange for wealth. Holly joins the meeting, bringing information about where the signal may be coming from. She apologizes to Nada for striking him, claiming she hadn't known what was occurring. Soon afterwards, the meeting is raided by police, with the majority of those present killed and the survivors scattered. Nada and Frank are cornered in an alley, but Frank activates an alien wristwatch, opening a portal to the alien's spaceport on Earth under Cable 54, an alien-run news network.
When Nada mocks an alien woman at a supermarket, she alerts other aliens via a wristwatch-like device. Nada leaves but is confronted by two alien police officers. He kills them and steals their weapons. Nada enters a bank, where he sees that several of the employees and customers are aliens. He kills several aliens with a shotgun and escapes by taking Cable 54 employee Holly Thompson hostage. At Holly's home, Nada tries to get her to try on the glasses, but she knocks him out of the window and down a hill and calls the police.
TheComing portal takes them to the aliens' spaceport, where they discoveracross a meeting of aliens and human collaborators celebrating the eliminationdefeat of the "terrorists".human Theyresistance, they are approached by a former drifter they briefly met infrom the shantytown, now a collaborator . Mistaking them for new recruits, whohe gives themthe pair a tour of the facility ., He leads them towhere the basementaliens ofbroadcast Cable 54,a thesignal sourcethat ofprevents thehumans signal,from whichidentifying isthem protectedand bytheir armedhidden guardsmessages. Nada and Frank findlocate Holly and fight their way to the transmitter on top of the roof, but Holly , killsherself Frank,a revealingcollaborator thatresponsible Hollyfor toothe israid, amurders human collaboratorFrank. Nada kills Holly and destroys the transmitter, andbut is fatallymortally wounded by aliens in a police helicopter. With the signal shut down, Nada gives the aliensthem [[the finger|the middle finger]] as he dies. ▼The next day, Nada returns to the alleyway and retrieves the sunglasses from a garbage truck before Frank meets Nada to give him his paycheck. Nada tries to get Frank to put on the glasses, but Frank thinks Nada is a murderer and wants nothing to do with him. Frank and Nada get into a long and violent brawl, after which Frank is too tired to prevent Nada from putting the sunglasses on him. After seeing the aliens and a flying saucer, Frank goes into hiding with Nada.
With the transmitter destroyedMeanwhile, humans all over the world are free from their dream-like state and discover the aliens hiding amongstamong them. ▼Frank and Nada run into Gilbert, who leads them to a meeting of the anti-alien movement. At the meeting, they are given contact lenses to replace the sunglasses, and learn that the aliens are using [[global warming]] to make Earth more like their own planet, and are depleting the Earth's resources for their own gain. They also learn that the aliens have been bribing humans to become collaborators, promoting them to positions of power. Holly arrives at the meeting, apologizing to Nada. The meeting is raided by police and the vast majority of those present are killed, with the survivors (including Frank, Nada, and Holly) scattering. Nada and Frank are cornered in an alley, but they accidentally activate an alien wristwatch, opening a portal through which they escape.
▲The portal takes them to the aliens' spaceport, where they discover a meeting of aliens and human collaborators celebrating the elimination of the "terrorists". They are approached by a former drifter they briefly met in the shantytown, now a collaborator, who gives them a tour of the facility. He leads them to the basement of Cable 54, the source of the signal, which is protected by armed guards. Nada and Frank find Holly and fight their way to the transmitter on top of the roof, but Holly kills Frank, revealing that Holly too is a human collaborator. Nada kills Holly and destroys the transmitter, and is fatally wounded by aliens in a helicopter. Nada gives the aliens [[the finger|the middle finger]] as he dies.
▲With the transmitter destroyed, humans all over the world are free from their dream-like state and discover the aliens hiding amongst them.
==Cast==
Upon the film's release, Carpenter remarked, "The picture's premise is that the '[[Reagan Revolution]]' is run by aliens from another galaxy. Free enterprisers from outer space have taken over the world, and are exploiting Earth as if it's a [[third world]] planet. As soon as they exhaust all our resources, they'll move on to another world... I began watching TV again. I quickly realized that everything we see is designed to sell us something. ... It's all about wanting us to buy something. The only thing they want to do is take our money." To this end, Carpenter thought of sunglasses as being the tool to seeing the truth, which "is seen in black and white. It's as if the aliens have colonized us. That means, of course, that [[Ted Turner]] is really a monster from outer space."{{efn|Turner had received some bad press in the 1980s for [[Film colorization|colorizing classic black-and-white movies]].}} The director commented on the alien threat in an interview: "They want to own all our businesses. A [[Universal Pictures|Universal]] executive asked me, 'Where's the threat in that? We all sell out every day.' I ended up using that line in the film." The aliens were deliberately made to look like ghouls, according to Carpenter, who said "The creatures are corrupting us, so they, themselves, are corruptions of human beings."<ref name="Swires, Steve"/>
In 2017, in response to [[neo-Nazi]] interpretations of the film's themes, Carpenter further clarified that the film "is about [[yuppie]]s and [[unrestrained capitalism]]" and "has nothing to do with [[Zionist Occupation Government conspiracy theory|Jewish control of the world]]".{{efn|name=2017Attributed sources|to multiple references:<ref name="Carpenter 2017">{{cite tweet|author=John Carpenter |user=TheHorrorMaster |number=816486706186596352 |date=January 3, 2017 |title=THEY LIVE is about yuppies and unrestrained capitalism. It has nothing to do with Jewish control of the world, which is slander and a lie. }}</ref><ref name="Acevedo 2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/01/john-carpenter-they-live-twitter-internet-nazis-jewish-control-capitalism-1201764730/|title=John Carpenter Wants Internet Nazis to Stop Misinterpreting 'They Live'|last=Acevedo|first=Yoselin|date=January 4, 2017|website=[[IndieWire]]|access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Brill 2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/01/john-carpenter-denies-they-live-is-anti-semitic.html|title=John Carpenter Denies Neo-Nazi Reading of ''They Live'' As Jewish Supremacy Takedown|last=Brill|first=Karen|date=January 4, 2017|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2017/jan/09/they-live-john-carpenter-neo-nazis|title=They Live: John Carpenter's action flick needs to be saved from neo-Nazis|last=Patterson|first=John|date=January 9, 2017|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref><ref name="White 2017">{{cite news |first=Adam |last=White |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/01/05/john-carpenter-condemns-neo-nazis-have-co-opted-cult-1988-satire/ |title=John Carpenter condemns neo-Nazis who have co-opted his cult 1988 satire They Live |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108072344/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/01/05/john-carpenter-condemns-neo-nazis-have-co-opted-cult-1988-satire/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Raftery 2017">{{cite magazine |first=Brian |last=Raftery |url=https://www.wired.com/2017/01/they-live-theory-debunked/ |title=Bigots Are Trying to Ruin the Movie They Live, Because of Course They Are |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108190231/https://www.wired.com/2017/01/they-live-theory-debunked/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
==Production==
==Reception==
On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 86% based on 73 reviews, and an average rating of 7.30/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "A politically subversive blend of horror and sci fi, ''They Live'' is an underrated genre film from John Carpenter."<ref name=RT>{{cite web|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/they_live/|title=They Live (1988)|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115091456/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/they_live|archive-date=November 15, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gives the film a [[weighted average]] rating of 55 out of 100 based on 22 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metacritic.com/movie/they-live|title=They Live Reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=June 29, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629054203/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/they-live|url-status=live}}</ref> ▼In his review for the ''[[Chicago Reader]]'', [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]] wrote, "Carpenter's wit and storytelling craft make this fun and watchable, although the script takes a number of unfortunate shortcuts, and the possibilities inherent in the movie's central concept are explored only cursorily."<ref>{{cite news | last=Rosenbaum | first=Jonathan | title=They Live | url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/they-live/Film?oid=2035158 | work=[[Chicago Reader]] | access-date=May 12, 2009 | archive-date=July 28, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728040153/http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/they-live/Film?oid=2035158 | url-status=live }}</ref> Jay Carr, writing for ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', said "[o]nce Carpenter delivers his throwback-to-the-'50s visuals, complete with plump little [[B movie|B-movie]] flying saucers, and makes his point that the rich are fascist fiends, ''They Live'' starts running low on imagination and inventiveness", but felt that "as sci-fi horror comedy, ''They Live'', with its wake-up call to the world, is in a class with ''[[The Terminator|Terminator]]'' and ''[[RoboCop]]'', even though its hero doesn't sport bionic biceps".<ref>{{cite news | last=Carr | first=Jay | title=What if we're cattle for aliens? | publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners | url=https://secure.pqarchiver.com/boston/doc/294477240.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+4,+1988&author=Carr,+Jay&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=&desc=WHAT+IF+WE'RE+CATTLE+FOR+ALIENS? | access-date=July 3, 2018 | work=[[The Boston Globe]] | date=November 4, 1988 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20150210062957/https://secure.pqarchiver.com/boston/doc/294477240.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+4,+1988&author=Carr,+Jay&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=&desc=WHAT+IF+WE'RE+CATTLE+FOR+ALIENS%3F | archive-date=February 10, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref>
In herhis review for the ''[[The New YorkChicago TimesReader]]'', [[JanetJonathan MaslinRosenbaum]] wrote, "Since Mr. Carpenter's seemswit toand bestorytelling trying tocraft make athis realfun pointand herewatchable, although the flatnessscript oftakes ''Theya Live''number isof doublyunfortunate disappointing. So is its crazy inconsistencyshortcuts, sinceand the filmpossibilities stopsinherent tryingin tothe abidemovie's evencentral byconcept itsare ownexplored game plan after aonly whilecursorily."<ref>{{cite news | last=MaslinRosenbaum | first=JanetJonathan | title=AThey Pair of Sunglasses Reveals a World of EvilLive | url=https://www.nytimeschicagoreader.com/1988chicago/11they-live/04/movies/review-film-a-pair-of-sunglasses-reveals-a-world-of-evil.htmlFilm?oid=2035158 | work=[[TheChicago New York TimesReader]] | date=November 4, 1988 | access-date=May 12, 2009 | archive-date=DecemberJuly 128, 20102011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2010120103393520110728040153/http://www.nytimeschicagoreader.com/1988chicago/11they-live/04/movies/review-film-a-pair-of-sunglasses-reveals-a-world-of-evil.htmlFilm?oid=2035158 | url-status=live }}</ref> RichardJay HarringtonCarr, wrotewriting infor ''[[The WashingtonBoston PostGlobe]]'', said "it[o]nce Carpenter delivers his throwback-to-the-'s50s justvisuals, Johncomplete Carpenterwith asplump little [[B movie|B-movie]] flying usualsaucers, tryingand tomakes dighis deeppoint withthat athe toyrich shovel.are Thefascist plot forfiends, ''They Live'' isstarts fullrunning oflow blackon holesimagination and inventiveness", thebut actingfelt isthat wretched"as sci-fi horror comedy, the''They effectsLive'', arewith secondits wake-rate.up Incall fact,to the whole thingworld, is soin preposterousa itclass makeswith ''[[VThe (1984 TV series)Terminator|VTerminator]]'' look likeand ''[[Masterpiece TheatreRoboCop]]'', even though its hero doesn't sport bionic biceps"."<ref name=Boston>{{cite news | last=HarringtonCarr | first=RichardJay | title='TheyWhat Liveif we':re (R)cattle |for newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]aliens? | url=https://wwwsecure.washingtonpostpqarchiver.com/wp-srvboston/styledoc/longterm/movies/videos/theylive294477240.htm | html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=November 5Nov+4, +1988&author=Carr,+Jay&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=&desc=WHAT+IF+WE'RE+CATTLE+FOR+ALIENS? | access-date=MayJuly 123, 20092018 | work=[[The Boston Globe]] | archive-date=November 114, 20121988 | archive-url=https://web.archive.orgtoday/web20150210062957/20121111132535/httphttps://wwwsecure.washingtonpostpqarchiver.com/wp-srvboston/styledoc/longterm/movies/videos/theylive294477240.htm | url-statushtml?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=live }}</ref> Rick GroenNov+4, in ''[[The +1988&author=Carr,+Jay&pub=Boston+Globe and Mail]]'', wrote, "the movie never gets beyond the pop [[Orwell]] premise. The social commentary wipes clean with a dry towelette – it's not intrusive and not pedantic, just lighter+(pre-than-air."<ref>{{cite news | last1997+Fulltext)&edition=Groen | first&startpage=Rick | title&desc=WHAT+IF+WE''They Live''RE+CATTLE+FOR+ALIENS%3F | workarchive-date=[[TheFebruary Globe10, and Mail]]2015 | dateurl-status=Novemberlive 5, 1988}}</ref>
In her review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[Janet Maslin]] wrote, "Since Mr. Carpenter seems to be trying to make a real point here, the flatness of ''They Live'' is doubly disappointing. So is its crazy inconsistency, since the film stops trying to abide even by its own game plan after a while."<ref>{{cite news | last=Maslin | first=Janet | title=A Pair of Sunglasses Reveals a World of Evil | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/04/movies/review-film-a-pair-of-sunglasses-reveals-a-world-of-evil.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=November 4, 1988 | access-date=May 12, 2009 | archive-date=December 1, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201033935/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/04/movies/review-film-a-pair-of-sunglasses-reveals-a-world-of-evil.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Richard Harrington wrote in ''[[The Washington Post]]'', "it's just John Carpenter as usual, trying to dig deep with a toy shovel. The plot for ''They Live'' is full of black holes, the acting is wretched, the effects are second-rate. In fact, the whole thing is so preposterous it makes ''[[V (1984 TV series)|V]]'' look like ''[[Masterpiece Theatre]]''."<ref>{{cite news | last=Harrington | first=Richard | title='They Live': (R) | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/theylive.htm | date=November 5, 1988 | access-date=May 12, 2009 | archive-date=November 11, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111132535/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/theylive.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> Rick Groen, in ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', wrote, "the movie never gets beyond the pop [[Orwell]] premise. The social commentary wipes clean with a dry towelette – it's not intrusive and not pedantic, just lighter-than-air."<ref>{{cite news | last=Groen | first=Rick | title=''They Live'' | work=[[The Globe and Mail]] | date=November 5, 1988}}</ref>
▲On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 86% based on 73 reviews, and an average rating of 7.30/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "A politically subversive blend of horror and sci fi, ''They Live'' is an underrated genre film from John Carpenter."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/they_live/|title=They Live (1988)|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115091456/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/they_live|archive-date=November 15, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gives the film a [[weighted average]] rating of 55 out of 100 based on 22 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metacritic.com/movie/they-live|title=They Live Reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=June 29, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629054203/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/they-live|url-status=live}}</ref>
The 2012 documentary film ''[[The Pervert's Guide to Ideology]]'', presented by the Slovene philosopher and psychoanalyst [[Slavoj Žižek]], begins with an analysis of ''They Live''. Žižek uses the film's concept of wearing special sunglasses that reveal truth to explain his definition of [[ideology]]. Žižek states:
===Legacy===
''They Live'' was ranked #18 on ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' magazine's "The Cult 25: The Essential Left-Field Movie Hits Since '83" list in 2008.<ref name="EWCult">{{cite magazine | title=The Cult 25: The Essential Left-Field Movie Hits Since '83 | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | url=https://ew.com/gallery/cult-25-essential-left-field-movie-hits-83 | access-date=August 16, 2016 | publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=August 27, 2008 | author=EW Staff | archive-date=July 13, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713120750/http://www.ew.com/gallery/cult-25-essential-left-field-movie-hits-83 | url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Rotten Tomatoes]] ranked the fight scene between Roddy Piper's character, Nada, and Keith David's character, Frank Armitage, seventh on their list of "The 20 Greatest Fight Scenes Ever".<ref>{{cite web | last=Ryan | first=Tim | title=Total Recall: The 20 Greatest Fights Scenes Ever | work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/Total-Recall-The-20-Greatest-Fights-Scenes-Ever/ | date=April 17, 2008 | access-date=December 14, 2016 | publisher=[[Fandango Media]] | archive-date=February 19, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219190200/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/Total-Recall-The-20-Greatest-Fights-Scenes-Ever/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The fight scene influenced the 2008 film ''[[The Wrestler (2008 film)|The Wrestler]]'', whose director, [[Darren Aronofsky]], interpreted the scene as a spoof.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/07/31/roddy-piper-they-live-dead|title=Remembering Roddy Piper's rowdy film career|last=Frannich|first=Darren|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=July 31, 2015|publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603102036/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/31/roddy-piper-they-live-dead|url-status=live}}</ref> The fight scene was parodied by the TV show ''[[South Park]]'' in the episode "[[Cripple Fight]].". [[Shepard Fairey]] credits the film as a major source of inspiration, sharing a similar logo to his "[[Andre the Giant Has a Posse]]" campaign. "''They Live'' was…thewas...the basis for my use of the word 'obey',", Fairey said. "The movie has a very strong message about the power of commercialism and the way that people are manipulated by advertising.".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://slashfilm.com/cool-stuff-shepard-faireys-they-live-mondo-poster |title=Cool Stuff: Shepard Fairey's 'They Live' Mondo Poster |work=[[/Film]] |date=June 9, 2011 |access-date=March 8, 2013 |first=Germain |last=Lussier |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517001849/http://www.slashfilm.com/cool-stuff-shepard-faireys-they-live-mondo-poster/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Novelist [[Jonathan Lethem]] called ''They Live'' one of his "favorite movies of the eighties, hands down". He said, "It's a great movie...Look at what it does to people, look at how it emboldens and provokes...It's disturbing and ridiculous and outrageous and uncomfortable, but I think it's the kind of great movie that doesn't really need defense, it just needs to be given the air.". Lethem wrote a book-length homage to the movie for the [[Soft Skull Press]] ''Deep Focus'' series.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kachka |first=Boris |url=https://vulture.com/2010/10/jonathan_lethem_says_tk.html |title=Jonathan Lethem on John Carpenter's They Live and His Own Move to California |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York Media]] |work=Vulture |access-date=July 29, 2012 |date=October 28, 2010 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205423/http://www.vulture.com/2010/10/jonathan_lethem_says_tk.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The 2013 video game ''[[Saints Row IV]]'' features an extended parody of ''Theythe Live'',film with Roddy Piper and Keith David voicing fictionalized versions of themselves in a recreation of the fight scene between Nada and Armitage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-new-saints-row-rings-the-death-knell-for-silly-game-1847571588|title=The New Saints Row Rings The Death Knell For Silly Games|quote=A game in which they hired Roddy Piper and Keith David to recreate their famous fight scene from ''They Live''.|last=Walker|first=John|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=August 27, 2021|access-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref>
Rock band [[Green Day]] paid homage to ''They Live'' in their music video for "Back in the USA" from the album ''[[Greatest Hits: God's Favorite Band]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/see-green-days-they-live-inspired-back-in-the-usa-video-w512075|title=See Green Day's 'They Live'-Inspired 'Back in the USA' Video|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=December 13, 2017|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214015230/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/see-green-days-they-live-inspired-back-in-the-usa-video-w512075|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, punk band [[Anti-Flag]] used the film as inspiration for their 2020the music video, for their song "[[20/20 Vision (Anti-Flag album)|The Disease]]". [[David Banner]] and [[9th Wonder]] also used the film as the influence behind their 2010 video for "Slow Down".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wallace |first1=Emanuel |title=DAVID BANNER & 9TH WONDER :: DEATH OF A POP STAR |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2011/04/david-banner-9th-wonder-death-of-a-pop-star/ |website=rapreviews.com |publisher=Rap Reviews |access-date=2023-03-04}}</ref>
Minnesota-based alternative hip-hop artist [[P.O.S (rapper)|P.O.S.]] used scenes from the film interspersed with clips of himself for the song, "Roddy Piper" offfrom his 2017 album, ''[[Chill, Dummy]]''.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}
In July 2018, the film was selected to be screened in the Venice Classics section at the [[75th Venice International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.labiennale.org/en/news/restored-films-venezia-classici |title=Biennale Cinema 2018, Venice Classics |work=labiennale.org |date=July 13, 2018 |access-date=22 July 2018 |archive-date=23 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003653/http://www.labiennale.org/en/news/restored-films-venezia-classici |url-status=live }}</ref>
The film is noted for a popularly quoted line spoken by Nada: "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sovereignman.com/investing/i-have-come-here-to-chew-bubblegum-and-kick-ass-and-im-all-out-of-bubblegum-17318/|title=I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.|date=2015-08-03|website=Sovereign Man|language=en|access-date=2019-03-02|archive-date=2019-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302210325/https://www.sovereignman.com/investing/i-have-come-here-to-chew-bubblegum-and-kick-ass-and-im-all-out-of-bubblegum-17318/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The main character [[Duke Nukem (character)|Duke Nukem]] in the video game ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]'' was made to be a mix of 80's and 90's action film stars, including Roddy Piper, [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], [[Bruce Willis]], [[Kurt Russell]], and [[Bruce Campbell]]. His look was partially based on Nada's appearance, sporting similar sunglasses and quoting many lines from the film.
===Home media===
On March 2, 2012, the film was released on [[Blu-ray]] by [[StudioCanal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.studiocanal.co.uk/Film/Details/802b18c0-ce36-4cba-bd12-9e840007abef|title=They Live|publisher=[[StudioCanal UK]]|access-date=July 3, 2018|archive-date=July 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705042736/http://www.studiocanal.co.uk/Film/Details/802b18c0-ce36-4cba-bd12-9e840007abef|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 6, 2012, [[Shout! Factory]] released a "Collector's Edition" of the film on both DVD and Blu-ray.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/57534/they-live/|title=They Live: Collector's Edition|last=Miller III|first=Randy|date=October 16, 2012|website=[[DVD Talk]]|access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref>
In 2014, Universal Pictures released ''They Live'' on DVD along with ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'', ''[[Village of the Damned (1995 film)|Village of the Damned]]'', and ''[[Virus (1999 film)|Virus]]'' as part of the ''4 Movie Midnight Marathon Pack: Aliens''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=4 Movie Midnight Marathon Pack: Aliens |medium=DVD |publisher=[[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] |date=2014 |id=Stock #61142800}}</ref>
On January 19, 2021, Shout! Factory released the "Collector's Edition" of the film on [[4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/they-live-collector-s-edition?product_id=7494|title=They Live|publisher=[[Shout! Factory]]|access-date=July 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/home-video/3630830/scream-factory-bringing-live-4k-ultra-hd-limited-edition-keith-david-action-figure/|title=Scream Factory Bringing 'They Live' to 4K Ultra HD With Limited Edition Keith David Action Figure!|last=Squires|first=John|date=September 8, 2020|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref>
==Future==
In 1996, while promoting ''[[Escape from L.A.]]'', Carpenter revealed that he'd always wanted to make a sequel to ''They Live'' as it's one of his favorite films, but was never able to get interest or financial backing for the project.<ref name="EscapeFromLA">{{cite magazine |last=Beeler|first=Michael|date=September 1996|title= Escape from L.A.: Director John Caprenter|url=https://archive.org/details/cinefantastique_1970-2002/Cinefantastique%20Vol%2028%20No%202%20%28Sep%201996%29/page/n17/mode/1up?view=theater|magazine=Cinefantastique |location= |publisher= Fourth Castle Micromedia|access-date=September 2, 2024}}</ref>
In 2010, a remake movie was stated as being in development with Carpenter in a producing role. In 2011, [[Matt Reeves]] signed on to direct and write the screenplay. The project eventually shifted away from being a direct remake of ''They Live'', to a re-adaptation of "8 O'Clock in the Morning" with intents of abandoning the satirical and political elements of the original movie.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sean|last=O'Neal|url=https://news.avclub.com/they-live-remake-is-no-longer-technically-a-remake-1798225017|title='They Live' Remake is No Longer Technically a Remake|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|publisher=[[The Onion]]|access-date=July 3, 2018|date=April 11, 2011|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702035528/https://news.avclub.com/they-live-remake-is-no-longer-technically-a-remake-1798225017|url-status=live}}</ref> By October 2023, producer Sandy King stated that a modern audience could see similarities with events of the movie going on in a real-world context, while stating that an expansion from ''They Live'' would be announced shortly; while acknowledging the possibility of a sequel becoming a reality.<ref name="Sequel_CB.com">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/they-live-sequel-status-update-future-sandy-king-john-carpenter/|work=ComicBook.com|title=They Live Producer Offers Unexpected Tease on Story's Future (Exclusive)|author=Cavanaugh, Patrick|date=October 4, 2023|accessdate=October 4, 2023}}</ref> ▼
▲In 2010, a remake movie was stated as being in development with Carpenter in a producing role. In 2011, [[Matt Reeves]] signed on to direct and write the screenplay. The project eventually shifted away from being a direct remake of ''They Live'', to a re-adaptation of "8 O'Clock in the Morning" with intents of abandoning the satirical and political elements of the original movie.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sean|last=O'Neal|url=https:// newswww.avclub.com/they-live-remake-is-no-longer-technically-a-remake-1798225017|title='They Live' Remake is No Longer Technically a Remake|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|publisher=[[The Onion]]|access-date=July 3, 2018|date=April 11, 2011|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702035528/https://news.avclub.com/they-live-remake-is-no-longer-technically-a-remake-1798225017|url-status=live}}</ref> By October 2023, producer Sandy King stated that a modern audience could see similarities with events of the movie going on in a real-world context, while stating that an expansion from ''They Live'' would be announced shortly; while acknowledging the possibility of a sequel becoming a reality.<ref name="Sequel_CB.com">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/they-live-sequel-status-update-future-sandy-king-john-carpenter/|work=ComicBook.com|title=They Live Producer Offers Unexpected Tease on Story's Future (Exclusive)|author=Cavanaugh, Patrick|date=October 4, 2023|accessdate=October 4, 2023}}</ref>
==Notes==
* {{IMDb title|0096256}}
* {{TCMDb title|20304}}
* {{AmgAllMovie movietitle|49415}}
* {{AFI film|67101}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|they_live}}
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