Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gory fear fest is a classic the faint-hearted should skip.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Thing (1982)
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Parents say the film offers intense violence and gore, making it unsuitable for sensitive viewers, yet features groundbreaking practical effects that were impressive for its time. While some praised it as a classic, others noted its psychological depth and suspense, emphasizing that it’s best suited for older teens and adults familiar with horror and sci-fi genres.
- violence and gore
- practical effects
- psychological depth
- unsuitable for kids
- classic status
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 92 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a gory sci-fi horror classic, renowned for its practical effects and intense body horror, depicting disturbing scenes of alien transformations and violence. While some younger viewers found it entertaining or even campy, many recommend it only for mature audiences due to its graphic content, including extreme gore and strong language.
- gory body horror
- practical effects
- intense violence
- recommend for mature audiences
- campy elements
- strong language
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Isolated in Antarctica, the scientists in a research facility are under assault from alien creatures released after a long burial in the icy terrain. As one by one, the men meet horrific ends, it's an increasingly terrifying and violent battle for survival.
Is It Any Good?
Made in 1982, before the explosion of digital filmmaking, this iconic combination of horror and science fiction is often considered a landmark achievement by famed horror director John Carpenter.
By today's standard, some of the grisly effects and the grotesque mounds of tentacles, teeth, and muscle that serve as the monster, seem oddly tame, though they would still be highly disturbing for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the use of frequent use of violence and gore in this film. What do you think the filmmaker's purpose was?
Were the scariest moments because of onscreen mayhem or because of suspense-filled moments when you didn't know what was going to happen? Describe your feelings about and reactions to each type of "horror." Why do people like to be scared?
Did the ending surprise you? Did you find yourself projecting what might have happened afterwards? Is that projection a measure of a movie's success?
How does this version compare to the more modern one?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 25, 1982
- On DVD or streaming : September 25, 2011
- Cast : Keith David , Kurt Russell , Richard Dysart
- Director : John Carpenter
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 109 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong, bloody violence and gore, grisly and disturbing images, some language and drug use
- Last updated : March 20, 2026
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