The Thing 1982 vs 2011: A Chilling Showdown

In the shadowy realm of horror cinema, two films stand out for their portrayal of isolation, distrust, and otherworldly terror: “The Thing” from 1982 and its 2011 counterpart. The former, directed by the master of suspense John Carpenter, has etched its name into the annals of horror history, while the latter ventured to fill in the chilling prelude to the original’s narrative. Let’s embark on a comparative journey, examining these two films’ budgetary differences, narrative intricacies, box office outcomes, critical receptions, and our take on which is our favorite.

Budget:

• 1982: The budget for John Carpenter’s “The Thing” was estimated to be around $15 million. Given the period, this was a considerable amount for a horror movie, which went into special effects, a professional cast, and an isolated Antarctic setting.

• 2011: The prequel had a significantly higher budget, estimated around $38 million. Adjusted for inflation, this still represents a larger investment than the original. The increased budget was used for modern special effects, including practical effects and CGI.

Plot:

• 1982: Carpenter’s film focuses on a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter an alien creature that can assimilate and imitate any living organism. Paranoia ensues as the team members cannot distinguish who is human and who has been replaced by the alien entity.

• 2011: The prequel follows a similar premise but focuses on the Norwegian research team that originally discovered the alien creature in the ice. The film explores the events leading up to the discovery of the creature by the American team in the 1982 film.

Box Office:

• 1982: “The Thing” was not a box office success upon its initial release, earning around $19.6 million. It had the misfortune of being released around the same time as “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” and “Blade Runner,” which overshadowed it significantly.

• 2011: The prequel fared better at the box office, grossing approximately $31.5 million worldwide. However, it did not make a significant impact and is often considered to have underperformed relative to expectations.

Reception:

• 1982: Initially, the reception to Carpenter’s “The Thing” was mixed to negative, with criticism focusing on its bleak tone and graphic special effects. It is now widely regarded as a masterpiece of the horror genre and lauded for its groundbreaking practical effects, tense atmosphere, and strong performances. The film has gained a cult following and is often cited for its influence on the horror and science fiction genres.

• 2011: The prequel received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised the film’s attempts to pay homage to the original, others criticized it for relying on CGI effects and not offering the same level of suspense and paranoia. The 2011 movie is generally not as highly regarded as the 1982 classic.

Our Take

First of all, we are in love with both of these films! The masterful use of animatronics and makeup effects in the 1982 classic not only defined the aesthetic of horror in the 80s but continues to bring new fans into this cult classic. This is a film that we often go back to when we get tired of the excessive CGI used in most of today’s horror.

The 2011 prequel, while navigating the shadow of its iconic predecessor, manages to carve out its own space in the horror landscape. It pays homage by expanding on the story’s lore and fills in the narrative voids with a contemporary flair. Despite the reliance on CGI, the film employs its digital artistry to deliver some genuinely disturbing and innovative creature transformations that resonate with modern audiences.

 The prequel’s use of technology brings a new dimension to the horrifying possibilities of the shape-shifting alien, ensuring that the legacy of “The Thing” continues to evolve and captivate viewers.

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