The Thing

In Theaters: Jun 25,1982
On DVD: Mar 4, 2003
Studio: Universal Pictures
Length: 1h 49m
MPA rating: R
VIEW ON IMDB

Overall Score

Rating Overview

Franko

Jonathan

Chris

Rating Summary

A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.

In this episode of the Help Me Watch movie review podcast, hosts Chris, Franco, and Jonathan discuss John Carpenter’s 1982 classic horror film, ‘The Thing.’ They delve into their personal histories with the film, the practical effects, the suspenseful storytelling, and the film’s lasting impact on pop culture. The hosts also reflect on other media they’ve consumed recently, including shows like ‘Wayward’ and ‘Alien Earth,’ and movies like ‘Marvel Zombies’ and the animated ‘Predator Killer of Killers.’ Towards the end, they spin their ‘Wheel of Movies’ to select the next film for the podcast, landing on ‘Ernest Scared Stupid.’

00:00 Introduction and Host Banter
01:08 Chris’s Week and Sciatic Troubles
02:20 One Minute Reviews: Alien Earth
04:39 Review of Wayward on Netflix
08:32 Marvel Zombies and Predator Killer of Killers
17:16 Pixar’s Elio and Animation Trends
22:33 New Releases and Upcoming Movies
36:22 Review of The Thing (1982)
44:45 Language and Aviation
45:33 Investigating the Burnt Out Station
46:22 Autopsy and Oddities
47:11 Chasing the Dog
48:34 Family Memories and First Impressions
50:57 Discovering the UFO
52:51 The Blood Test
57:04 Practical Effects and Behind the Scenes
01:08:28 Final Thoughts and Scoring
01:19:27 Next Episode Preview

New Releases:

October 7th

Child’s Play 4K (1988)	Shout Factory
End of Days 4K (1999)	Shout Factory
F1: The Movie 4K (2025)	Warner Bros.
I Know What You Did Last Summer 4K (2025)	Sony Pictures
John Adams (2008)	Warner Bros.
Labyrinth 4K (1986)	Shout Factory
Mortal Kombat 4K (2021)	Warner Bros.
Nobody 2 4K (2025)	Universal Studios
Nobody 2-Movie Collection 4K (2021-2025)	Universal Studios
Peanuts: Ultimate TV Specials Collection (75th Anniversary Edition) (1965-2011)	Warner Bros.
Spawn 4K (Limited Edition) (1997)	Arrow
The Bad Guys 2 4K Collector’s Edition (2025)	Universal Studios
The Dark Crystal 4K (1982)	Shout Factory
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 4K (Special Edition) (2015)	Arrow
The Newsroom: The Complete Series (2012-2014)	Warner Bros.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 4K (50th Anniversary) (1975)	Disney / Buena Vista
The Walking Dead: Dead City – Season 2 (2025)	RLJ Entertainment
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me 4K (includes “The Missing Pieces” (2014) on BD) (1992)	Criterion
Ultraman Arc: The Complete Series + Movie (2024-2025)	Mill Creek Entertainment
ODDTAXI: The Complete Season (オッドタクシー) (2021)	Crunchyroll, LLC
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time 4K (時をかける少女 / Toki o kakeru shôjo) (2006)	Shout Factory

October 14th

Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Collection 4K (1942-1976)	Universal Studios
Back to the Future 4K (Limited Edition) (1985)	Universal Studios
Back to the Future Part II 4K (1989)	Universal Studios
Back to the Future Part III 4K (1990)	Universal Studios
Back to the Future: The Ultimate Trilogy 4K (40th Anniversary Edition) (1985-1990)	Universal Studios
Back to the Future: The Ultimate Trilogy 4K (40th Anniversary Edition) (1985-1990)	Universal Studios
Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series (2000-2024)	Warner Bros.
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)	Capelight Pictures
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning 4K (2025)	Paramount Pictures
Mutant Aliens (Standard Edition) (2001)	Deaf Crocodile Films
Scared Shitless (2025)	Blue Fox
The Fantastic Four: First Steps 4K (2025)	Disney / Buena Vista
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King 4K (2003)	Warner Bros.
Weapons 4K (2025)	Warner Bros.
Good Bye, Dragon Life (2024)	Crunchyroll, LLC
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (Collector’s Edition) (2015-2016)	Sentai Filmworks
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation – Season Two, Part Two (2023)	Crunchyroll, LLC
Sasuke: The Complete Television Series (1968-1969)	AnimEigo