Unraveling the Mind-Bending Conclusion of The Thing (1982): A Deeper Dive

Numerous classic horror films are considered the best in the genre, and John Carpenter's 1982 remake of The Thing From Another World, simply known as The Thing, is often included in this category. This film excels in the horror genre due to its exceptional practical effects, memorable performances, and one of the most powerful screenplays in the history of horror. It creates an atmosphere of tension, horror, and relentless paranoia, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Despite the film's legendary status, there are still elements that confuse even its most devoted fans. One of the greatest sources of confusion lies in the final moments of the film. Although those involved with the film have hinted at an answer, there has never been any definitive confirmation regarding what exactly transpires. Regardless of the ambiguity surrounding the ending, it is evident that The Thing does not conclude on a happy note.

What Is The Thing About?

The Thing follows a group of American scientists stationed in Antarctica as they face a formidable alien entity that has the ability to assimilate and survive. The story takes off when a Norwegian helicopter pursues a dog, resulting in the death of the Norwegian pursuers and the dog being taken in by the American researchers. Little did they know, this decision would prove to be their biggest mistake.

R.J. MacReady, portrayed by Kurt Russell, the helicopter pilot of the station, takes another team member to investigate the origin of the dog's attackers. Shockingly, they discover the station completely destroyed and all its inhabitants killed. Bringing back a peculiar humanoid body, they realize that this is just a glimpse of what is to come, as The Thing begins to assimilate anything in its path. After thousands of years of living beneath Antarctica's ice sheets, the alien creature is now unleashed, posing a threat to the entire planet. The American research team must find a way to stop it before it wreaks havoc globally.

Who Dies In The Thing?

In The Thing, a significant number of characters meet their demise throughout the movie, to the point where it can be argued that every single character is destined to perish before the credits roll. Initially, the film depicts the deaths of the remaining individuals at the Norwegian research station. Subsequently, we witness The Thing assimilating the dogs at the American base. This sets the stage for a constant sense of impending doom within the American base, as the paranoia regarding who has been assimilated becomes overwhelming. Fans of the movie have invested considerable time in attempting to determine when each character is most likely to be assimilated, although several ambiguous moments deliberately prevent a definitive answer. Prior to reaching the American base, The Thing had already wreaked havoc at the Norwegian base, claiming the lives of numerous researchers. Among the crew members, George Bennings is one of the first to be confirmed dead, as his assimilation is visibly shown on-screen.

From that point,

What Happens At The End Of The Thing?

discovers another member completely burnt, one succumbs to a sudden heart attack, and another is shot by MacReady. Each and every remaining character in the film meets a gruesome fate, either directly inflicted by or assimilated by The Thing. In the end, the casualties include the two Norwegians, a large group of dogs, and the entire American research team consisting of George Bennings, Fuchs, Norris, Copper, Clark, Palmer, Windows, Blair, Gary, and Nauls. The only potential survivors, although there is intense debate surrounding their actual fate, are R.J MacReady, the pilot of the station's helicopter, and Childs, one of the station mechanics.

After the American research station's workforce has been reduced to MacReady, Childs, Nauls, and Gary, all of whom have been proven to be human and not disguised Things, they decide (excluding Childs) to venture out and locate their fellow crew member who had chosen to isolate himself. This specific crew member, known as Blair, turned out to be a Thing and had been constructing his own spacecraft. Unfortunately, the base loses power, leading MacReady to accept that none of them will have a happy ending. Consequently, the most logical course of action is to completely destroy their base along with The Thing.

After the destruction, both Gary and Nauls are killed by The Thing. However, MacReady appears to eliminate the threat through a series of massive explosions. Seeking cover from the explosions and the cold, MacReady finds himself face-to-face with Childs, who had disappeared earlier. Both men cautiously inquire about recent events and sit across from each other, displaying a mutual lack of trust.

This moment has sparked debate among fans for decades. Some argue that MacReady is The Thing at this point, while others believe that Childs is The Thing. Clues can be interpreted to support both theories, such as MacReady's visible breath compared to Childs' lack of breath, the presence or absence of a glint in their eyes, and a shared bottle of alcohol that could potentially contain gasoline. Although the prevailing belief leans towards Childs being The Thing in the film's final moments, it is important to note that this is never definitively confirmed.

Childs and MacReady are seated amidst the engulfing flames, both uncertain of each other's true identity. However, there is a possibility that one of them is acutely aware that The Thing has not been completely vanquished. The conclusion of the movie is a bone-chilling moment, with a literal and metaphorical impact, as MacReady explicitly communicates to the viewers that both individuals will remain in their icy predicament, inevitably leading to death for the human who is not The Thing.

You can rent or buy John Carpenter’s The Thing on Amazon Instant Video.