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They Live (1988)

R  |   |  Action, Horror, Sci-Fi  |  4 November 1988 (USA)
7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 65,536 users   Metascore: 52/100
Reviews: 324 user | 165 critic | 10 from Metacritic.com

A drifter discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to wake up to the fact that aliens have taken over the Earth.

Director:

Writers:

(short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning"), (screenplay) (as Frank Armitage)
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Title: They Live (1988)

They Live (1988) on IMDb 7.3/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
Holly
...
...
Raymond St. Jacques ...
Jason Robards III ...
John Lawrence ...
Susan Barnes ...
...
Wendy Brainard ...
Lucille Meredith ...
Susan Blanchard ...
...
Dana Bratton ...
Edit

Storyline

Nada, a down-on-his-luck construction worker, discovers a pair of special sunglasses. Wearing them, he is able to see the world as it really is: people being bombarded by media and government with messages like "Stay Asleep", "No Imagination", "Submit to Authority". Even scarier is that he is able to see that some usually normal-looking people are in fact ugly aliens in charge of the massive campaign to keep humans subdued. Written by Melissa Portell <mportell@s-cwis.unomaha.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

You see them on the street. You watch them on TV. You might even vote for one this fall. You think they're people just like you. You're wrong. Dead wrong. See more »

Genres:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

4 November 1988 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

John Carpenter's They Live  »

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$13,008,928 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(4 channels)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

All the various aliens throughout the movie, both male and female, were portrayed by stunt coordinator Jeff Imada. See more »

Goofs

As Nada and Frank run through the TV station, a man in a gray suit quickly turns the corner. A moment later, the same man turns the corner again. See more »

Quotes

Blonde Haired Cop: Where did you get those sun glasses?
Nada: [cynical] From the Tooth Fairy!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Breaking In: The Contra Club (2012) See more »

Soundtracks

Rock of Ages
(uncredited)
Music by Thomas Hastings
Lyrics by Augustus Montague Toplady
Heard as one of the songs played on the church tape
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Classic from my youth
15 June 2005 | by (Perth, Ontario, Canada) – See all my reviews

I remember first seeing They Live when I was 10 and I totally fell in love with this film. How could a ten year old not? There's wrestlers, aliens and a plot to take over the world. My friends and I quoted this film for weeks on end with the Bubble gum and kicking @$$ line being a favourite among all. The only real complaint that I have about the film is that the aliens when finally revealed are far too human. They basically look like a skeleton with bug eyes. Not a whole lot of energy seemed to go into their design. While They Live will never be remembered as a film that redefined the way films were made, it still to this day holds a place in my heart as one of the films that just defines your youth. It is fun, action packed and has just enough cool storyline to keep you interested from start to finish.


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Question about Holly? bueller55
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7.1?? What a load of cr@p!! DawsonRoseDawson
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