This Day in Horror: THEY LIVE Premiered
Alyse Wax
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On this day in 1988: They Live was released in theaters.
They Live, written and directed by John Carpenter, tells the story of a drifter, Nada, who soon comes to discover that the ruling class – the business owners, politician, stock brokers – are all aliens disguised as humans. These aliens are manipulating humans to buy and breed and be docile via subliminal messages.
The film is based on a short story called “Eight O’Clock in the Morning” by Ray Nelson. The story was written 1968, and didn’t have the direct political overtones that They Live had. Carpenter has said that his film was directly influenced by Reaganomics – the economic policies promoted by President Ronald Reagan. He saw the aliens – and Reaganomics – as corrupting elements. Ironically, the film has never felt more timely than it does in 2019.
Categorized:News This Day in Horror
