John Carpenter: We Wouldn’t Stand a Chance Against “The Thing”

Stephen is delighted to welcome one of his favorite directors, the Master of Horror himself, John Carpenter. Watch as they discuss his 1982 classic film, “The Thing,” and stick around for a peek into Carpenter’s directing process for his latest project, “Suburban Screams.”
#Colbert #SuburbanScreams #JohnCarpenter
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Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.

[@starrybear9778]

John Carpenter's The Thing is a masterpiece. This movie was unfairly torn apart by critics upon release. This is a top tier moviemaking at its finest. All the people who worked on this movie should be proud of the result.

[@conorkennedy3304]

Just shows you that critics are dumb.

[@johnfay8931]

“Critics” know very little, except on what to write in order to continue being paid.

[@kylebalmer3396]

No pun intended?

[@MellowMutant]

I agree, masterpiece, my favorite horror movie, everyone involved in making it did amazing

[@ken__2526]

​@@johnfay8931Except it was not just critics that treated it unfairly. Audiences, too. It wasnt a failure, but it wasnt also a hit. Carpenter asked test audiences about the movie and they were either disgusted by the movie or hated the ambiguity of the ending or compared it to Alien. Audiences were also more into competing horror films like Poltergeist and wanted more optimistic movies. It was only in later decades that The Thing started becoming a classic.

[@mistahanansi2264]

The Thing was 40 years ahead of its time… the human psychology/behavioral angle always draws me in more than the monster itself.

[@popnfresh2928]

Do you have the 4K version of The Thing….it’s like watching it for the first time again at age 14 in 1982…..in that, the reproduction & clarity is so prestin it blows my mind,….everything from the SNOW to the Creatures is so dam clear that I’m constantly pausing the my Panasonic 4K Player just to admire what’s being shown on my Samsung 90B 85inch…..best sci-fi for me for sure, in my top 5…agreed with you, 40years ahead of its time….well said👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@diogogomes3238]

thats why is still the best horror movie ever made. And to be honest i find hard to top it

[@Dead1yCool]

That’s why that game Among Us took off like a rocket. It had super basic gameplay and simple 2D graphics but it followed the theme of The Thing. You never knew if someone was who the said they were. The psychological/behavioral aspect was what made it amazing.

[@thekinginthenorth3650]

One of the greatest horror movies of all time

[@DonalOSullivan-qj7sd]

My favourite if not in my top 3 favourite movies, love the Thing so so goood

[@lerm2866]

Carpenter seems so happy, it’s great to see him getting some recognition

[@Njbear7453]

He needs an honorary Oscar.

[@theeternalnow6506]

Agreed. He looks like he gives zero fucks lol. I love it.

[@efugee]

John Carpenter gets all the recognition he deserves in the 40 years of less talented people ripping off his Ideas in their movies, stories and games.

[@Hooptedoodle]

and he's been releasing albums for several years now. They're on YT and their pretty good and just like you would expect.

[@ChristopherNeeme]

@@Hooptedoodle Yes, in addition to movie work, his music has been a major influence on an entire music genre, which is synthwave

[@patrickstevenson9775]

'The Thing' is a masterpiece!

[@djsmileyoflasvegas]

💯

[@markdaly1648]

Yes it is. And the opening of Halloween is the greatest opening to a movie that I ever. The build up to the ending of Pelham 123 is masterful

[@nialloconnor1490]

Undeniably

[@kwolf2145]

It sure is a masterpiece

[@integral]

I'm so old I remember going to the theater to check out "The Thing" with a friend and being so stunned we went back a few hours later to watch it again. What a masterpiece.

[@southlondon86]

Sir what was the reaction from other people at the cinema?

[@williamcarter9066]

Shock absolute shock and to terrified to go to sleep that night 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@paireon3419]

You were ahead of your time. Wasn't old enough to see it in theaters but when I did finally see it about a decade later I was hooked. The one movie I did go to the theater three times to see was "In the Mouth of Madness", another Carpenter classic.

[@kevinrbarker]

me too. what year was it?

[@HOLYPARISHOFDOOM]

My friend and I went to it opening day on my 13th b-day and were blown away! Theaters in my neck of the woods didn't card people to get into R rated movies ...sawn tons of killer flicks theatrically and at the drive-ins back then, and JC movies were and still are some of my favorites.

[@TheBluRayCritic]

Not only a great director, but a great human being.

[@MellowMutant]

I agree

[@Duomaxwell02M]

A pretty good music composer too, he composed the score for many of his films.

[@ryanbrets7695]

Know him personally, do you?

[@rickoom3081]

He owes me $20 from in and out burger.

[@BornDoubter]

I am with Stephen on this. When I need a little nostalgia I watch The Thing and suddenly I am at my 11th birthday party staying up late with a bunch of my friends and all of us utterly silent through the entire film. You know you did a good job when you can get 12 boys, ranging in age from 11-12, to sit in complete silence, barely moving a muscle, for almost two hours even though they ate a boat load of cake and pizza then drank enough mountain dew to stop the heart of an average African Elephant.

[@Woodcliff14]

So true!

[@GH0STN0TE88]

Me too I watch it on the coldest day of the year , whenever I can it's such a good well done movie.

[@DM72513]

I wouldn't have slept for a month if I had watched it when I was 11.

[@veramae4098]

Which version? I think the first, the b&w version, is the best.

[@melsteffano6189]

Really?Not so sure. @@veramae4098

[@KingGrio]

John wants 5 minutes alone ... ALONE, with the critics one on one in a sound proof room. I think John might be the Thing.

[@MDestron2282]

That was the joke. Yes.

[@Taijifufu]

@@MDestron2282 I thought the joke was that he'd clobber them not absorb them.

[@marvdaniels5603]

@@Taijifufu ...or reason with them.

[@randolphpinkle4482]

@@Taijifufu Might not be a joke.

[@MySerpentine]

Same.

[@Sleepy_Spaghetti]

The fact that Mr. Colbert had Talking Heads and John Carpenter on back to back… awesome!

[@MykalNines]

WIth the actor's strike they don't have to pander to the show/movie of the week... they can put on some truly interesting guests

[@kevinknott4404]

agreed

[@Darhan62]

Some of the best things from the seventies and eighties.

[@erikfinkel2717]

Heads will roll

[@Darhan62]

@@erikfinkel2717, heads will sprout legs and eye stalks and crawl away.

[@ScarScream]

I've watched The Thing hundreds of times and I never get bored of it. A true masterpiece of suspense, intrigue and horror in a desolate setting with Ennio Morricone music

[@JimDuggan-tq2lv]

The soundtrack is one of the creepiest you'll ever hear.

[@HeavenUpsideDown]

Im going with Macready. He sipped Blairs vodka before Blair turned as well. The ripped clothes.

[@lukeboy61]

If The Thing can attack you on a cellular level (which I don't remember them saying but it is at least heavily implied) they really are all fucked. If you even breathe the same air as it you'll likely be under attack from the inside, slowly at first but then speeding up exponentially you'll be taken over by it.

[@warriorv9359]

F..ken A 10000%

[@cartoonpete407]

@@HeavenUpsideDown Childs still had his earring on in the final scene and the creature cannot replicate inanimate objects. However, Childs too took a drink out of Mac's bottle when it was handed over to him...

[@abdiver12]

What a legend. To this day, I consider The Thing the scariest film I've ever seen. I was about 10 when I first saw it and had to sleep with the lights on in my room for the next two weeks afterward, lol.

[@Scarygirl-TCB13]

Me Too!!! ... After all these years still can't watch horror movies!

[@DDanV]

Truth be told, at that age any other movie would seem like the scariest film you would ever see. I saw Aliens 2 and Nightmare in Elm Street 2 at about the same age as you when you saw The Thing and both franchises became the scariest for me, even almost 40 years on, just because I saw them when I was 10 or 12. I've seen other horror movies that should be way scarier than any of those two (Aliens or Nightmare on Elm Street) and yet Freddy Krueger and the xenomorphs (and the face-huggers) are still the scariest beings to me, to this day, all because it scared the hell out of me when I was so young.

[@carlodave9]

As a teenage movie rat I could not figure out how there was no one in the theater when The Thing remake premiered. I saw it 3 times in a row. Remember when you could do that? If you do, you are OLD! I still like Escape from New York just as much. Carpenter’s peak, no doubt.

[@gregorysagegreene]

Nah, 'The Blob'. ... Shower rose and floor drain never looked the same again.

[@Junksaint]

Halloween is so creepy too

[@captainsparkle-fingers2744]

I just watched "They Live" with my 17yr old and she was blown away by it!

[@Mokonaqc]

“The Thing” and “They Live” are definitely two of my happy place movies. I love Carpenter's films.

[@DM-qd7gw]

Escape from NY

[@DeanOrbong]

The Thing and They Live appear on Keith David.💀

[@detailsmatter.]

r.i.p " Rowdy" Roddy Piper

[@petecoogan]

They live is on Tubi

[@fletchoid]

Most horror movies begin with a relatively "normal" scenario, which degrades into horror as the plot develops. The Thing created a feeling of dread almost instantly, and never gives you a break until the very end, where it gives you a brief pause, and the lingering horror of your imagination as the credits roll. My favorite horror movie.

[@reesetorwad8346]

Right? Soon as you see that dog being chased by a heli, you instantly know two things: 1. That dog ain't right, and 2. MacCready and the boiz ain't gonna realize that 'till it's too late. They're just gonna assume the 'Wegians were crazy. (Casting didn't hurt either, every man jack of them was a SHINING STAR.) Quickly, without looking, who did the dog touch first?

[@asm1138]

The dread starts with that title credit.

[@LNLBD]

Hmm, sounds like most people's lives.

[@AndyWiseChoices]

Excellent description of The Thing. One of my favorite films, period...and I am NOT a horror fan. The suspense and paranoia are intensely and perfectly written, shot and performed.

[@MacheteProductions13]

A true legend of horror, great to see he’s still doing well after all these years.

[@MellowMutant]

facts

[@LMarti13]

I love Stephen for focusing almost exclusively on The Thing

[@negationf6973]

Carpenter is such a talented filmmaker. "The Thing", "They Live", "Escape from New York", "Halloween"! What a list of credits to have under your belt. Always seems like a cool guy, too.

[@V3ntilator]

Too bad Hollywood changed to the worse which made him stop making movies as he would lose the freedom. Something is wrong with Hollywood when they don't trust Carpenter. Sure, not all of his movies were a success but those were mostly big studio movies with interference.

[@Braktooth]

Don't slight Big Trouble.

[@issacclark6109]

I just rewatch They Live Carpenter nailed it on that one as well. Although Stephen being part of They did not want to talk about that piece of cinematic prophesy.

[@donlarocque5157]

Watched Christine again yesterday.

[@renslo689]

Plus he does a lot of the music for his films

[@tommyt1971]

After a lot of consideration - decades worth - I’ve decided The Thing is my favorite horror flick. It can still give me a 1st class case of the creeps after 40+ years. Thanks Mr Carpenter.

[@paireon3419]

Same. Mood kindred.

[@MellowMutant]

It's my favorite horror movie too

[@ezzz42]

and i dont think its even the killing or the goe that makes it scary its the paranoia and the sheer tension thats really scary. absolute fear.

[@tommyt1971]

@@ezzz42 PRECISELY my friend!

[@laalaa99stl]

Did they really play "Superstition" for the walkout music? Perfection!

[@LindaC616]

Maybe. At first I thought it was Peter Gabriel's "sledgehammer". Even tho I'm old enough to remember both😅

[@TFTLEE1]

My dad has a copy of the Thing on VHS where Superstition isn't the song playing on Niles stereo

[@michaeltape8282]

Good observation!

[@antoniobronx4955]

Definitely “Superstition”! I chuckled when I heard the horns. Paul Schaefer’s band was always very witty with the walk on music for guests on Letterman. Sometimes you’d have to think about it for a minute to get the connection.

[@Njbear7453]

@@LindaC616it’s superstition which was used in The Thing

[@scottrose220]

The Thing is definitely Carpenter’s best film with Halloween right behind it. Both masterpieces

[@daboss258]

Idk man They Live opened my eyes as a kid 😂

[@toddgrogg8005]

I agree but I have to fill it around Halloween 🎃🎃 then The Thing.

[@cleverusername9369]

I love Mr Carpenter's mischievous grandpa energy

[@emu_warrior]

I didn't watch The Thing for so long, I only saw it last year and wow, what an amazing film. Please watch it if you haven't yet. I am gonna go rewatch it now. Just perfection. Literally in the top 10-20 films of all time, it hasn't aged at all.

[@stevennieto9898]

Same. When I first watched it I didn't know what to expect until I exclaimed WOAH! during the dog kennel scene. 😂

[@KingDomsKingdom85]

I watched it aged 8 and it haunted me for many years (Bennings scene and Blair scene at the end), I had repeated nightmares from it, yet... its my favourite film of all time even now at 38 years of age. It's utterly brilliant.

[@palmerlp]

JC is also an accomplished musician; he wrote and recorded most of the music for his movies, “The Thing” included. (Morricone is credited but Capenter didn’t use most of what he came up with.) I was lucky enough to see him with his band a few years ago, performing all of the classic themes from his movies, it was one of the best nights of live music I’ve ever had.

[@jeffbebe5085]

Quentin Tarantino did an interview and he said 'The Thing' is not only his favorite horror film but one of his favorite all time films period. Its one of mine as well. Never get tired of watching it. Put it on any time anywhere and cont. where I left off.

[@oldjetta]

The Thing is an amazing movie 😍

[@simonmandrakejones]

One of the most influential directors in Hollywood. And The Thing is a masterpiece.

[@jackkrick6936]

​@@simonmandrakejonesHalloween 1978 is better.

[@devolve42]

Carpenter composed most of the music for his movies as well. So many memorable themes.

[@bonesjackson81]

Carpenter was too good for his own time. Not appreciated till years later. Hands down my favorite filmmaker and puts out damn good albums too.

[@conorkennedy3304]

The scores of his films are crucial to their effectiveness. He is the man behind all of that. Genius.

[@bonesjackson81]

@conorkennedy3304 yup. Check out his last 3 albums he released. Lost Themes 1,2 and 3. Original music. Absolutely awesome too.

[@conorkennedy3304]

@@bonesjackson81 as a music nerd and synth person, I always loved his use of sparseness and minimalism. Repetition.

[@zx7-rr486]

True.. BUT he would never be able to make movies like he did back then today. A movie like The Thing would NEVER get made today the way it was back then... with a 21 year old physical FX genius being given free reign, and old school lighting and anamorphic cinematography, shot on 35mm film, non woke REALISTIC casting, proper slower editing, no "shaky cam", no PlayStation CGI, etc. etc.

[@KiwiHelpgeek]

The Thing is one of my favourite movies. It is truely scary and plays with your mind. I still remember It is one of the best movies ever made.

[@Vor_Tex_Sun]

The Thing to me is one of the greatest masterpieces ever put to film and sound

[@MellowMutant]

💯

[@DougRawady]

I saw a studio sneak preview of The Thing at a huge theater in Denver, CO a couple of months before its full national release. John Carpenter, his then-wife Adrienne Barbeau, and special effects wizard Rob Bottin were there along with a few hundred adrenaline fueled fans. Needless to say, it was a phenomenal experience...and to this day it still ranks as one of my all-time favorite horror/sci-fi films!!

[@marvdaniels5603]

Had such a thing for Adrienne Barbeau back then. 😇

[@Jayskiallthewayski]

​@@marvdaniels5603She def. was kinda hot

[@charlie-obrien]

@@marvdaniels5603 I know, right? I was starting to feel a little bad for John cuz he got screwed over by the critics, but then I thought... "Hey wait a minute..." Lol

[@Crackalacking_Z]

The Thing never gets old, I watched it countless times too

[@farwindel]

My favorite movie of all time. My favorite director of all time. My favorite talk show host of all time. And he's asking fan questions. Is that heaven? Thank you for askinbg those Stephen

[@drumbum3.142]

Lol

[@zandorvorkov986]

I clicked on this because I love John Carpenter movies, but Colbert is the worst talk show host. I'm just glad that he didn't display his TDS or stupid woke politics in this clip!

[@charlie-obrien]

@@zandorvorkov986 Aww, don't be sad, just because daddy trump is such an easy target for ridicule (and disgust)

[@zandorvorkov986]

@@charlie-obrien Don't get your panties in a bunch.

[@charlie-obrien]

@@zandorvorkov986 Oooh, you're such a clever girl. Did you order your golden sneakers yet?

[@bbirda1287]

Coincidentally I just happened to see The Thing at the 'flashback' theater show Tuesday. Wonderful dog, scary as hell. A guy in the audience put on a day glo light up alien mask during the head scene and made a big ruckus. Good times.

[@LindaC616]

😅

[@RonaldJones-yc6xj]

😂😂Bro snapped ​@@LindaC616

[@seaninness334]

"...and you send me a check...." LOL! I love that he flashed the double horns.

[@Nudiescorner]

After watching it over a hundred times...to this day it is still just as exciting as the first time. PHENOMENAL MOVIE❤

[@kanaric]

This movie still holds up incredible well. Everything about it is masterclass.

[@MellowMutant]

so true

[@shitcasecinema]

Great to see John being interviewed. The Thing is one of my favourite movies and I think that goes for a lot of people. Filmmaker, writer, musician. What a legend the man is.

[@Sawlon]

The Thing is my favorite!

[@michaeltape8282]

One of my all time favorite directors. Continue to live a long and happy life, John Carpenter!

[@tommyt1971]

Regarding the crawling head scene: “You gotta be f**king kidding.” My favorite line in the film.

[@manbehindthemask2010]

😂 And Palmer, was already a THING when he spoke that line.

[@tommyt1971]

@@manbehindthemask2010 Makes it even creepier, eh? Ok ok ok, did a bit of Capt Obvious there but I had to say it!

[@davidedelman4536]

My fav director of all time! Legend!

[@m.g4441]

The Thing ('82) was a cinematic game changer. My parents-in-law are neighbours with one of the camera ops on The Thing. Cyrus Block and I had a few drinks while looking out at the inspiring Pacific Northwest Ocean. I was a total fan boy and had so many questions about the shoot. Much respect to you Mr. Carpenter sir.

[@henryswanson]

So happy John's on your show! Glad he's gotten more and more recognition over time!

[@terencegarcia4193]

So cool to see Carpenter get the recognition he deserves for being an iconic filmmaker. Vampires was filmed a block away from my house in New Mexico. Always loved his movies.

[@JimmyNuisance]

Musical and cinematic genius right there. People do not talk enough about his music, it has been _incredibly_ influential, especially with the new retrowave genre of music, he's literally _the guy_ for most of us. If you haven't listened to his soundtracks in a good long while, give them a listen. Dude did the music for his own movies to save money, and he created some of the best movie soundtracks to ever exist.... Dude just can't stop himself from being brilliant.

[@robkoper841]

Stephen forgot to mention 'In the Mouth of Madness' (1994), a criminally underappreciated surreal horror masterpiece.

[@nighttray1489]

Yes! My 2nd favorite of Carpenter’s filmography

[@willv7868]

It's amazing watching young people discovering The Thing for the first on all the YT reaction channels. Brings me back to the first time I saw it in 1982. It's become a cult classic.

[@djsmileyoflasvegas]

I didnt know he was still alive..im glad he is cuz hes a legend

[@MikeyFilms]

And made his brief return to the Halloween franchise as an executive producer on the past 3 Halloween films

[@Neojhun]

Just 75 years old. Don't count him out.

[@LindaC616]

Smh

[@zacg_]

I thought he'd passed away as well but I think I was thinking of Wes Craven and George Romero.

[@onikin]

Nope. Mostly plays video games these days tho

[@firstname__lastname]

Can we also appreciate how much of an iconic musician this man is as well?! Giving us soundtracks that shaped our movie going and life experiences?!

[@marshallross3373]

Ya, the cast in the Thing is really top notch. Excellent storytelling.

[@ge2623]

And music. Excellent and fitting.

[@yuggothrecordsarchives]

The atmosphere in the Thing is unparalleled! Carpenter is a scholar of horror literature and it really shows in this brilliant film

[@RevokCronenberg]

Love his music and his movies. That's quite the legacy he has left us with. Hopefully he has a little more to give but if not hey, the dude has earned his retirement!

[@gregwasserman2635]

"The Thing" is a horror classic! Actually, it is more than a horror film, it is also a suspence and thriller film as well. Carpenter did an outstanding job of building the fear and paranoia of being isolated and stranded with a nightmare than cannot be escaped. Personally, I think the ending is brilliant. I also think that it is best leaving the question of who may or may not be the Thing at the end unanswered. It is the ultimate ending of a movie that was all about questioning whether that person in the room was a human or the Thing and the dread that went with it. Most people think the Thing was Childs, but it is still ambiguous. We never saw what happened to Nauls either. Yeah, I know, he was supposed to get assimilated but they didn't have the time/money to complete the scene as planned. As a result, he just disappears and is never seen again. It is hard to believe the movie was panned by the critics. It was far better than "E.T.", a movie that, to this day, I find silly. Oh, and the scene where the head sprouts legs and eyes is also my favorite. It adds to the creepiness (is that a word?) and overall horror of the movie.

[@dr.decker3623]

Childs is a thing,.. not only did he accept the drink, that had been turned to molotov and sip on it, but he also changed clothes before the final confrontation, this is why the jacket in the hall leading outside is missing when they run passed the last time, it was there just before that, and when we see childs walk up to Macready at the end, he is wearing it. MacReady offering Childs the drink is also a book end to him tossing the drink at the computer, and calling it a cheating bitch, the look on his face when fading to black is him thinking that in his head, knowingly.

[@antonweber8080]

John Carpender is a god in directing. The atmosphere he has created through his music and skills is phenomenal. I love it. If you watch his films today, you'll be right back in time. Please, please let him make another movie of the escape from New York or the thing...❤❤❤

[@jimmycychowski1142]

This film was absolutely outstanding, it is my favourite, I have it on every possible media it's been released on, the 4k HDR Blu-ray version is phenomenal

[@kylel7158]

John Carpenter seems like a very down to earth, non pretentious guy I'd be happy to have a beer with

[@reneetubeaddict9757]

The thing, is my happy place also! 🎉 Absolutely LOVE this movie!

[@MDestron2282]

I always thought that in the end neither one of them was the thing. They won. But they couldn't be sure so being the badasses that they both are they decided they'd just sit there and freeze to death just to be sure.

[@figaro-dg5c5]

I always felt that it was left hanging in the air if either one of the survivors were a clone alien. Kurt was to me clearly a human

[@paulfernandez4998]

I always thought the same thing! The movie starts and ends with paranoia. They could try to work together to possibly survive but they still don't trust each other. I do like though that the ending is left ambiguous. Colbert THANK YOU for bringing John Carpenter on your show!

[@edturner9670]

I think that's a topic that will be debated for the next 40 years and I'm totally fine with that. I think that is just another sign of it's greatness and longevity as a film. The ambiguity and continuing, everlasting paranoia is a great way to close what I consider to be a masterpiece.

[@bobwiegers]

this is the beauty of modern media: my favorite talk show host reminds me about a classic I've missed, which is on a streaming service I happen to subscribe to, so I can watch it as soon as the interview is over.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

The Thing is one of the few films I would dare to call a perfect film. It's one of the greatest horror, sci-fi, paranoid thrillers ever made for so many reasons. I'm glad it's finally gotten the respect it deserved forty years ago.

[@figaro-dg5c5]

The thing is an awesome film. Thank you to Colbert for talking about this and doing this.

[@themills23]

Amazing film. Just creeping dread throughout. The creature effects, the acting, the simply brilliant score. Defo in my top 5 films of all time.

[@KingGrio]

Wow, so nice to see John !

[@goyasolidar]

John Carpenter is a legend. I will forever be grateful to this man for providing me with some of the finest moments of cinematic entertainment I have ever experienced.

[@collinbergkamp7077]

I saw The Thing with my Dad and my younger brother in the theater in 1982. I was 7. Brother 4. There were 2 other people in the theater. We loved it. Thanks Dad! Happy Birthday!!!

[@mikestephens5200]

Happy birthday to your dad. Give him a big hug.

[@collinbergkamp7077]

Thank you! Will do!@@mikestephens5200

[@wrcpatrick]

One of my absolute favourite films all time. Legend status.

[@chuckzilla3000]

Watching ‘The Thing’ alone, in a dark room, with my dog staring at me through most of it, was the best viewing I’ll likely ever have for this movie.

[@cleverusername9369]

I made the mistake of watching the Exorcist in the dark, alone, in our attic bonus room when I was maybe 11, and at the same time in the movie where the mom goes up to the attic to investigate the scratching noises, the squirrels I didn't know were living in the unfinished part of our attic started kicking up a ruckus. Didn't watch the Exorcist again for years

[@steverogers2603]

It’s even worse when your dog’s a husky.

[@conorkennedy3304]

Your dog is The Thing.

[@russward2612]

John Carpenter has his very own top ten list of greatest movies. The man is beyond legendary. "Escape from New York" was the first R-rated movie I saw legally. I recently watched "In the Mouth of Madness" on KZbin. I still have VHS copies of "Dark Star", "The Fog", "The Thing", "Escape from New York", "They Live", "Escape from L.A" and "Big Trouble in Little China" and a functional 9" JVC VCR /TV combo. I also have "Big Trouble in Little China" and "Christine" on DVD which is why I watch them on my 42" Samsung flat screen. The man had a profound effect on me. He gave us much amazing entertainment. Thank you, John Carpenter!

[@Njbear7453]

The Carpenter holy trinity: Halloween, The Fog, Escape from New York.

[@marvdaniels5603]

"Big Trouble in Little China" was the movie that was the inspiration to the video game series, 'Mortal Kombat'

[@Rob-et6nz]

The man is 75 years old and still sharp as a tac. That brings me joy.

[@davec3717]

I was so hoping that Stephen would geek out about The Thing with Carpenter. I saw it once at a drive-in and it started gently snowing. Best viewing of that film I ever had.

[@robjones2408]

"The Thing" is the only film that made me jump. I saw it in 1982, and the staff had deliberately turned the heating to make the cinema colder. Nobody had seen anything like it. I thought it was a masterpiece. Unfortunately, the box office sales were hurt by the hostile reviews and the cute "E.T" which audiences preferred. 41 years later, "The Thing" is now hailed as a classic. I could have told you that back in 1982......

[@sataniclivesmatter]

John Carpenter is the reason why I’m in film school!!!!!!!💯💯💯💯

[@ogrebattlewarsong]

Congrats, Stephen. Glad you got to meet John Carpenter and ask these questions.

[@clownhats]

I loved that the audience largely seemed content just sit quietly and listen to the man

[@xhopsalong]

So happy this conversation happened - I've been taking my friends through the horror classics recently and The Thing remains a standout. Also the band's song choice was inspired.

[@BrokenCurtain]

One of my favourite films.

[@drumbum3.142]

Upvote for "One Of"

[@bigdave6390]

John Carpenter's The Thing has been my favorite since it came out. Drive in movie, midnight marathon, HBO, VCR,........etc.

[@bulletproofair]

You can tell Colbert has so much reverence for Carpenter! He's definitely a kid in the candy store with this!

[@kimberleyphillips6671]

"The Thing" is my favorite too. But "They Live" has the best (longest) bare fisted fight ever!

[@skann9048]

Talking Heads yesterday, Carpenter today, I love interviews where Stephen is basically fanboying from start to finish

[@frankb821]

Thank you for having the master on your show, when a whole new generation of z'ers need to be able to know him and find his stuff. Your reverence for the Thing warms my heart

[@EB-rz8zs]

I played the thing video game as a kid. It was so hard

[@Bewar3them00n]

Nothing tops The Thing, a great ensemble cast, and probably the best practical fx ever submitted to film. Rob Bottin and Stan Winston set a benchmark that has never been beaten

[@drumbum3.142]

Lol

[@pony3284]

One of my favorite pieces about The Thing is the icy setting. Winter can be a bizarre and scary time of the year as it is.

[@rosefarrell2440]

I Will Cry Hard when this LEGEND Goes. My Directing Hero.

[@tanukijessica]

John Carpenter had one of the greatest runs in the late 70s and 80s, Halloween, Escape from New York, The Thing, Starman, Christine, Big Trouble, Prince of Darkness, They Live, In the Mouth of Madness. The Thing is one of my most favourite films and the one I tell my wife we have to watch every Halloween.

[@marvdaniels5603]

All of them were hits not misses.

[@copernicofelinis]

The thing is, "The Thing" is... THE thing.

[@mikebasil4832]

John Carpenter earned my best respects for his most unique horror film directing talents. Especially thanks to The Thing and Christine.

[@prasantabehera7461]

No film can beat 'The Thing'. Best science fiction horror movie. 🙏

[@sarfaraz.hosseini]

The Thing is a cinematic masterpiece. The story, acting, editing, score, puppets. Panned by critics like Rodger Ebert.

[@edturner9670]

Probably the same critics who would give Moulon Rouge a standing ovation. I lasted about 5 minutes with that film. I learned a while ago that they can't always be trusted. Case in point, check out 13th Warrior if you haven't already done so with Antionio Banderas in the lead. It was largely panned and has less than 40% on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics. Is it a perfect film? No but I wonder what film they were watching.

[@tonyorob]

I love that movie now just as much as I did when it first hit the theaters.

[@stevemccutcheon8803]

I saw it in theaters when I was 12. I'm 54 now and it still holds up. And I don't feel old, sick of these comments of feeling old.

[@ethan8532]

The ending still sends chills down my spine.

[@Crmsnraider]

Love "The Fog" #1 " The Thing" is awesome as well

[@SaraMira-qi9vl]

The Blob was recalled just yesterday too!

[@Crmsnraider]

@@SaraMira-qi9vl ooo ya! good ol’ The Blob. People getting absorbed and digested, freaky!

[@Daninput]

Love the fact the music they introduced John Carpenter was Superstitious. Nice nod there Stay Human.

[@eduardocuellar629]

Watching escape from ny and the thing with my dad are cherished memories, but I still regret he never saw they live. It’s definitely how he saw society.

[@natesvideos7339]

Stephen Colbert, hands down, best talk show guest! He always legendary guests who I don’t think would do other talk shows. John Carpenter is certainly one of them!

[@willowsloughdx]

The obviously dubbed line when The Thing exits the room with it's head on upside down is the best in the movie.

[@GregDowns]

Do you mean that Palmer's iconic 'gotta be effin kidding' line was edited-in during post-production? I've watched the movie 100 times and would swear that the dialogue in that reaction shot is not dubbed (as in, the actor recording the line afterwards but his lips saying something else in the scene).

[@willowsloughdx]

​@@GregDowns Okay. I watched the line again. It is not dubbed. It's still the best line in the movie

[@Cancun771]

Yeah no. They should have played Carpenter's own theme to _The Thing_ when he walked on. Then sent in a Husky dog ahead of him.

[@zesty9815]

Ha! That would've been great!

[@michaelcope856]

I thought Ennio Morricone wrote the score... but I know what you mean.

[@StillTheVoid]

God BLESS this MAN! 💪🤟🎸 Been riding the Carpenter for decades. Rock on, dude.