This film is part of Rentals
The Thing
Twelve men at an Antarctic research station battle a shape-shifting alien that hides in human form, in John Carpenter’s ground-breaking sci-fi horror.
Horror 1982 109 mins
Director: John Carpenter
Overview
Workers at a remote Antarctic research station discover a parasitic alien that can invade, assimilate and imitate earthly lifeforms, leading to extreme paranoia as the twelve men try to work out who’s harbouring ‘the thing’.
John Carpenter’s ground-breaking adaptation of John W. Campbell’s novella Who Goes There? (previously filmed as The Thing From Another World) set the benchmark for special makeup effects for years to come, showcasing Rob Bottin’s extravagant parade of grisly, mutating creatures. Underappreciated upon its initial release (critics felt the gore effects were overused), The Thing has been re-evaluated in recent years for its undeniably scary premise, bleak setting and foreboding atmosphere of dread, and is now considered one of the 1980s’ best horror films.
Contains strong violence and gory horrorAccessibility
Related
Horror
The Dead Don't Die The Dead Don't Die
Horror 2019 104 mins Director: Jim Jarmusch
Bill Murray, Adam Driver and Tilda Swinton lead this star-studded, bonkers addition to the zombie canon from cult director Jim Jarmusch.
Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors
Comedy 1986 94 mins Director: Frank Oz
Frank Oz's vivid adaptation of the cult sci-fi musical, with Rick Moranis as a flower-shop assistant battling a 'Mean Green Mother from Outer Space'.
Werewolf Werewolf
Drama 2018 88 mins Director: Adrian Panek
Children liberated from a Nazi concentration camp have to overcome hunger, thirst and vicious dogs in this chilling postwar thriller.
The Wicker Man The Wicker Man
Horror 1973 88 mins Director: Robin Hardy
Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward star in the folk horror classic about a policemen investigating an island given over to paganism.
The Blair Witch Project The Blair Witch Project
Horror 1999 81 mins Director: Eduardo Sanchez
Three student filmmakers attempt to make a documentary about a local urban legend, in this terrifying and groundbreaking pioneer of the ‘found-footage’ genre.
The Shining The Shining
Horror 1980 144 mins Director: Stanley Kubrick
Jack Nicholson revels in his terrifying performance as Jack Torrance, the would-be writer who becomes the minotaur trapped in Kubrick’s supernatural maze.
Halloween
Plan 9 from Outer Space Plan 9 from Outer Space
Horror 1958 78 mins Director: Edward D. Wood Jr
Notoriously dubbed one of the worst films ever made, this deranged 50s sci-fi remains a hilarious and extraordinary example of outsider cinema.
The Lighthouse The Lighthouse
Drama 2015 102 mins Director: Chris Crow
Based on a true story, Chris Crow’s atmospheric chamber piece follows the dark and dire fortunes of two men trapped on a lighthouse for months on end.
Frankenstein Frankenstein
Horror 1931 70 mins Director: James Whale
The gothic horror that ushered in a wave of cinematic terror, starring Boris Karloff as the reconstructed monster with a human soul.
The Transfiguration The Transfiguration
Horror 2016 97 mins Director: Michael O’Shea
Milo isn't your usual introverted, strange teenager; he also believes he's a vampire. Michael O'Shea's dark drama presents a transgressive twist on the teen vampire tale.
Antiviral Antiviral
Horror 2012 108 mins Director: Brandon Cronenberg
Body horror and celebrity satire are served ice cold in this extreme offering from Brandon Cronenberg (son of David).
Videodrome Videodrome
Fantasy 1983 87 mins Director: David Cronenberg
James Woods and Debbie Harry star in David Cronenberg’s mind-melting sci-fi about media domination.
Featuring Kurt Russell
QT8: The First Eight QT8: The First Eight
Documentary 2019 101 mins Director: Tara Wood
There will always be blood, brilliance and controversy: the legendary story of Hollywood 's modern genius, Quentin Tarantino.
Deepwater Horizon Deepwater Horizon
Action and Adventure 2016 107 mins Director: Peter Berg
Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell and John Malkovich bring to life the devastating oil-rig disaster in this intelligent and incendiary eco-thriller.
New
Cosh Boy Cosh Boy
Drama 1952 75 mins Director: Lewis Gilbert
Lewis Gilbert’s shocking and controversial 1952 drama focuses on a gang of juvenile delinquents and their dangerous exploits in post-war London.
The Cakemaker The Cakemaker
Drama 2017 105 mins Director: Ofir Raul Graizer
A German baker moves to Israel to learn more about the life of his mysterious dead lover, encroaching into the life of his widowed wife.
The Shiny Shrimps The Shiny Shrimps
Comedy 2018 103 mins Director: Cédric Le Gallo
After making a homophobic remark on live TV, an Olympic champion swimmer is given a chance at redemption by coaching a water polo team to the world’s biggest LGBTQ+ sporting event, the Gay Games.
Pain and Glory Pain and Glory
Drama 2019 113 mins Director: Pedro Almodóvar
In one of his most personal works, Pedro Almodóvar presents a vivid portrait of a filmmaker confronting age-related anxieties.
Phoenix Phoenix
Drama 2018 86 mins Director: Camilla Strøm Henriksen
Camilla Strøm Henriksen’s astute and atmospheric adolescent drama follows a young girl having to grow up quickly in an intensely adult world.
Sea Sorrow Sea Sorrow
Documentary 2017 73 mins Director: Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa Redgrave makes her directorial debut with this impassioned documentary about the ongoing refugee crisis.