Frostbitten Terror: The Last Winter vs The Thing

With John Carpenter's strong direction and an unforgettable storyline, the 1982 horror movie The Thing has become a classic film that continues to win high praise from both audiences and critics. Its groundbreaking use of special effects set a new standard for horror movies to come, making it a fan favorite that still holds up today. For those who enjoyed The Thing, the 2006 release The Last Winter offers a similar experience and is also worth revisiting for horror fans.

What Is The Last Winter About?

In The Last Winter, researchers at the Arctic Northern Wildlife Refuge, including Abby Sellers, James Hoffman, and Ed Pollack, encounter strange visions, which are later traced back to the release of sour gas in the area. This unique plot element sets The Last Winter apart from other horror movies and adds an intelligent layer to the story, as it offers up explanations for the eerie occurrences. Additionally, the movie's commentary on climate change and human impact on the environment makes it a standout in the eco-horror genre. As the story centers around researchers and scientists, the main characters are smart and capable, making for a refreshing change from typical horror movie tropes.

How Is The Last Winter Like The Thing?

Both The Last Winter and The Thing are horror movies that involve research teams battling the harsh and unforgiving elements of nature. In The Thing, the team encounters extraterrestrial organisms that have the ability to change shape, making them some of the most memorable sci-fi movie monsters to date. The setting of both films also adds to the horror factor, with The Last Winter taking place in the Arctic Northern Wildlife Refuge and The Thing in Antarctica. These isolated and desolate locations leave the characters alone in the dark and harsh elements, forcing them to rely solely on each other for survival.

The terror evoked by the creatures in both The Last Winter and The Thing is on par with each other. In The Last Winter, the film discusses the concept of "ghosts," which are creatures created by the Earth as a result of humans extracting fossil fuels from the ground. One character ominously declares that the Earth is producing "The Last Winter," giving the film its title.

This article contains spoilers about the ending of the 2006 horror movie The Last Winter. Horror movie conclusions can be categorized into two types. Some films have satisfying endings where the main characters achieve victory and emerge as powerful. On the contrary, there are devastating and bleak endings where everyone perishes and the world is left in a completely altered state.

In the final moments of The Last Winter, it becomes clear that the creatures have claimed yet another victim, the unfortunate Pollack. The loss of his character is particularly poignant given the trials and tribulations the group had already endured. Abby, the sole survivor of the research team, awakens in a hospital room with no recollection of recent events. As she begins to explore her surroundings, she discovers the extent of the environmental devastation that has taken place. The suicide of a hospital staff member serves as a grim reminder that all is not well. Rather than depicting Abby's discoveries, the film ends with an eerie soundscape of the "ghost" creatures and other ominous noises, underscoring the fact that humans are mere bystanders in the face of nature's power.

The Thing may not have been a critical success in 1982, but it has certainly achieved classic status over time. Interestingly, The Last Winter, while not receiving as much recognition, also boasts a thought-provoking ending that explores the connection between humans and the environment.