John Carpenter's APOCALYPSE TRILOGY: Choosing How The World Ends

[@MattDraper]

Happy Early Halloween! What's your favorite UNOFFICIAL trilogy?

[@GoryRory]

The Exorcist, The Ninth Configuration, The Exorcist III.

[@ginofrancejr555]

Apocalypse trilogy, the original scream trilogy as well as the dream trilogy

[@ohsocinematic8909]

@@GoryRory Nice!

[@bingerz237]

Alien, Blade Runner, and Soldier.

[@boobootittleman7299]

The Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil trilogy: Hear - Hush Speak - A Quiet Place See - Don’t Breath The Scorsese/Schrader Faith Trilogy: Silence, The Last Temple of Christ & First Reformed The Watergate Trilogy: The Post, All the Presidents Men, & Frost/Nixon The NASA trilogy: The Right Stuff, First Man, & Apollo 13.

[@brentjago]

Prince of Darkness is excellent. I've always personally found it to be Carpenters scariest and most unsettling film. This flick makes my skin crawl. It's also been spoken of many times, but the isolation of the characters in The Thing always comes up, but I'll argue to throw PoD in there as well. This group of kids who are trapped in this abadoned church, in the middle of LA and the entire world around them has no idea that the fate of their souls is being fought for just down that street. I love these 3 films. Thanks for coming back to Carpenter, Matt!

[@videoessaydotcom]

Sorry if this is bad form or something. I made a video essay on why I love POD so much that I'm really proud of, and it's been dead in the youtube algo for 2 years. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqXMoYqjnM2feqc Matt, sorry if you don't allow self promo. Delete on sight if this is your wish!

[@jacklindsey8400]

It's the film I'm most surprised by, sometimes I even like it more than The Thing. It's also the film I can't blame anyone for not getting into because it's so weird, more so than the Thing, which is a monster that can be killed, and Madness... which is basically lovecraftian/King. It's like nothing I've ever seen and I appreciate it for that.

[@jekw23]

It’s got a really creepy atmosphere but I must admit I’ve not seen it in so long. I remember being slightly let down by the ending (even though it was really intense) but I do need to watch again.

[@pedrogudino1133]

The music in that one is gnarly.

[@LanceVanceDance84]

It's always so hard for me to choose a favorite Carpenter movie. The Thing, Halloween, Big Trouble In Little China, Escape from New York, They Live, The Fog, Christine, In the Mouth of Madness, etc. are all so amazing, but I have to agree that Prince of Darkness is possibly his most terrifying, and I'd say it's all thanks to the overall atmosphere of that film. It's truly a shame that it's still so overlooked, not only amongst Carpenter's other films but in the entire genre of horror.

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

Fun fact: Stan Winston (creator of the Terminator,Predator, Alien Queen & all the Jurrasic Park dinos) helped on special effects work for The Thing out of favor for Rob Bottin because Bottin was so overworked.. but Stan wanted to remain uncredited in the credits because in his words "The Thing is Robs baby & Id never take responsibility for any of it. I just lent a hand here & there"

[@b3ntl33]

I never noticed the distinctions of each Apacolypse-type with this trilogy. Each one depicts body, mind, and soul. Each one at the forefront with secondary affects in the other aspects of the self. The Thing attacks the body, which consumes the mind and soul once assimilation is complete. Prince of Darkness seeks to corrupt the soul, leaving the body and mind to break down. And Mouth of Madness seeks to destroy the mind, thus distorting and warping the body and soul. Dang!

[@kalibkadafi7747]

People let john carpenter down. He was a great director and made good movies. All of them are rewatchable and stand the test of time. His movies wasn't blockbusters but none the less great films. Long live John Carpenter

[@jondorsey2043]

The dream sequences in Prince of Darkness changed my whole life. I was 12 or 13 i think. Something clicked in my brain, and i then was aware that bad things so very much worse than i had thought possible, were possible.

[@williambenson1477]

same here...the dream sequences, and the chic sealing herself in hell for all eternity really, really freaked me out. i am still unsettled by the dream broadcasts...

[@aces553]

Same. That image in the doorway of the church freaked me out and stuck with me.

[@jondorsey2043]

@@aces553 Seriously. The whole analog vibe and that whole lead up camera track...and then at the end, for the last broadcast, you see it's her!! Still gives me chills right now!!

[@aces553]

@@jondorsey2043 I felt like I was looking at something that I shouldn't see. Similar feeling to seeing the image of pazuzu standing next to Linda Blaires bed and she is reaching up. Like a glimpse into hell. 😱😳

[@SnapperChannel]

In the Mouth of Madness is not only my personal favorite of the trilogy but my favorite Carpenter film. But all three films in the Apocalypse Trilogy are phenomenal pieces of horror filmmaking.

[@LUCKO2022]

You would be wrong That movie is boring and dumb. The Thing is easily Carpenter's best film with They Live as a close 2nd

[@OsmiumSaint]

Draper is misinterpreting Mouth of Madness as a meta movie. The movie is actually more disturbing if you don't try to see it that way.

[@asteriskme]

In the Mouth of Madness is one of my top favorite films of all time! Carpenter's rendition of The Thing was masterful. He brilliantly combined the original film in a historical context with his own. The fact that John Carpenter composes all of the music for his movies himself makes him one of the greatest film-makers of all time!

[@billmurray7473]

It was 1982. John Carpenter had heavy competition. E. T. STAR TREK: WRATH OF KHAN BLADE RUNNER TRON

[@DerMoerpler]

Damn good year for movies. E.T., Blade Runner and The Thing even came out in the same two weeks in late June. What an insane summer. Although I prefer to watch The Thing in the winter.

[@squirlmy]

actually Blade Runner flopped because people were going to see E.T. multiple times instead. I was guilty of this, too, although I would have had to sneak into BR because it was rated "R" for violence.

[@tenimeartstudios]

THANK YOU FOR PRONOUNCING ROB BOTTIN'S LAST NAME CORRECTLY. It is impossibly rare on this platform.

[@blacknapalm2131]

3 Masterpieces *I watch all 3 in order every Halloween* (followed by H3 : Season of the Witch) Prince of Darkness is the most haunting and unsettling to me, it is very ahead of its time in its concepts and it genuinely makes me feel uneasy every single time.

[@daveduffy2823]

I don’t care what anyone says. Escape from NY and Big Trouble In Little China are very entertaining movies.

[@terotimonen8465]

big Y E S

[@LanceVanceDance84]

Who would even dare to say that they aren't? I can't think of a single person who doesn't find either one to be entertaining in some way, whether they're 70-years-old or 21-years-old.

[@micahthomas705]

Add escape from LA and we get the Russel is the man trilogy.

[@henrywallacesghost5883]

​@@micahthomas705Escape from L.A. was not good. Especially that basketball scene😂

[@micahthomas705]

@@henrywallacesghost5883 I never said it was. But it does make a trilogy. I like to think of big trouble as what snake was up to before going to NYC

[@tacticalmattfoley]

Strangely enough, everyone I knew at the time, loved "The Thing".....why it flopped at the box office is a head scratcher. The dream sequence in "Prince of Darkness" is one of the most haunting pieces of horror film to this day....I could remember that piece and forgot the entire rest of the film including the film's name.

[@Faction.Paradox]

Can't wait to hear the thoughts about Prince of Darkness, it's not perfect but the blurring of science, religion & faith is a very potent and unique take

[@jondorsey2043]

Scared the actual shit out of me.

[@pyenapple]

Genius film

[@CineRanter]

I wonder how different Carpenter's filmography would have turned out had The Thing not flopped

[@CorbCorbin]

Same. I think he’d have likely gotten too much money, and made a bigger flop, like Big Trouble in Little China, that came after his 80’s run of successes snd failures, with Starman being a real hit, that got him a lot of freedom for Big Trouble. It’s hard to say. My favorite Carpenter movies were all flops, or minor successes.

[@MattDraper]

He would have definitely done Firestarter, since he was kicked off the project due to the The Thing flopping. From there, I think he could have had more freedom in his projects.

[@CorbCorbin]

@@MattDraper Nice pull. I’d forgotten that.

[@Laissez-faire402]

​@@MattDraperWish we could have seen his version of Firestarter. The 1984 version with Barrymore is very underwhelming.

[@JohnathanJannenga69]

I think that he would have made more movies but not all the ones people enjoy.

[@bensneb360]

These movies also easily has some of John Carptenders best soundtracks, dude knows how to make the apocalypse sound cool

[@pragma5282]

I saw The Thing at a half full theater in 1982, and I was so impressed that went back a week later with another group of friends. The second time, the cinema was packed. I'm surprised that it flopped so hard, since word of mouth was great. I have the feeling that the studio pulled the plug too early and left lots of money on the table. Being the same studio that made Alien, another R rated cosmic horror gem that made them lots of money, it's a bit baffling.

[@TheRealBSDigitalQ]

I highly encourage folks who enjoyed/are interested in "In the Mouth of Madness" to check out Jonathan Carroll's 1980 novel "The Land of Laughs," which Michael De Luca claimed to have based ITMOM on.

[@pauliewalnuts2072]

Watched all three for the first time this year and loved them all

[@BoyNamedSue4]

Prince of Darkness may not be my favorite of his films but it has the single greatest Alice Cooper cameo in any film. That alone gives it 5 out of 5 stars

[@gregbors8364]

IDK, he was pretty great in “Wayne’s World.” “Me-ah-wah-ke: ‘The Good Land’”

[@himwhoisnottobenamed5427]

​@@gregbors8364"Does this guy know how to party or what?!"

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

Thank god someone mentioned Wayne's World. Prince of Darkness is a better Alice cameo than Freddy's Dead at least

[@jeremyhyler]

i asked myself, "where my matt draper video?", and here it is.

[@KremBotop]

I know this is somewhat offtopic but I really wanted to say that I'm very impressed by the sheer variety of topics you have covered so far. I was introduced to your channel via the great Godzilla videos and I was surprised you had much more to offer. The biggest surprise has to be the Peanuts videos, considering that I've been revisiting that series lately (hopefully you cover that topic again soon btw). Keep up the good work!

[@TalentCaldwell]

Nobody ever talks about Carpenter’s two episodes from MASTERS OF HORROR (2005-2006). I mentioned this on your Carpenter video from last year and that you should check them out. In my opinion his episode “Cigarette Burns” with Norman Reedus is one of the most uncomfortable horror stories I’ve ever seen. And “Pro-Life” with Ron Perlman is an entertaining THEY LIVE style action/horror satire. Both are much better worth being mentioned along side his body of work than THE WARD (2009). It’s a shame that no one ever recognizes them.

[@TheGreatDevlin]

I've never heard of Prince of Darkness before now. Fascinating.

[@pyenapple]

It’s THE BEST. Just don’t be thrown from absorbing the completely unsettling vibe and you’ll love it

[@Dolarhyde1981]

Was just looking for in the mouth of madness video essays, what glorious timing.

[@superby1]

What an unexpected joy to see! I love In the Mouth of Madness, so any time someone talks about them, I'm there. I enjoy The Thing, and discovered Prince of Darkness ten years ago. I love how each movie has its own feel to it; that even though they're from the same filmmaker, you get a different experience each time.

[@BoyNamedSue4]

I flip flop between his version of the Thing and Evil Dead 2 being my favorite horror film. Film is perfect. The fact he remade an all time classic and we argue which is better just proves he is a master of horror

[@edvaira6891]

One of The most bizarre things about THE THING is that the other film its screenwriter, Bill Lancaster was known for was…THE BAD NEWS BEARS??!!

[@samhouston9162]

That's very interesting

[@jarshall2]

Think I’m gonna watch Prince of Darkness again today, I’m in the mood for that very specific vibe

[@TheThrill007]

I love The Thing, it is my favorite of the trilogy if not my favorite of Carpenter's filmography. It's endlessly disappointing to know it didn't do well at the box office

[@ThommyofThenn]

I can't deny the influence of HP on some of the greatest works of horror that I love, such as True Detective s1, and the game Blood, I really appreciate you including some lesser known writers! I agree The Thing is one of his best movies, and imo it still looks terrific to this very day. It's a relentless exercise in practical effects tricking the eye into believing they've witnessed some impossible, freakish twisting of nature

[@boobootittleman7299]

I think John Carpenter has, at least what I consider, the best directorial streak of all time. Literally every film of his from 1976 - 1988 every single one of his films are fucking classics. I consider his last true “classic” to be ‘In the Mouth of Madness’.

[@theebronks]

Carpenter was such a great film maker; appreciate your thoughts and commentary on his works.

[@GenghisDon1970]

I liked the Thing as a teen, and ever since. It's a favorite, It's fantastic. People are dumb.

[@edvaira6891]

The Thing failing did not eliminate his chances with big budget films! While he got fired off of the 1984 version of firestarter, he moved fairly quickly into the $10 million budgeted Christine and the $20 million budgeted Starman the next two years… And then got $30 million to make Big trouble in little China… That movie flopping was what sent him back into independent film

[@javigurrol4451]

What has alway gotten under my skin about each of the Apocalypse Trilogy installments is that in all three films the end of the world is initiated in its own different way but the rest of the world has no idea what’s about to happen only a small group of people are aware of impending doom or humanity.

[@FigmentForever]

John Carpenter has always been in my top 3 directors of all time. Prince of Darkness was one I slept on for years for some reason, but after picking up the scream factory Blu on a whim and one I always suggest to others. Donald Pleasance & Victor Wong from The Golden Child are so oddly cast but make the story so compelling I think it’s my favorite of his horror films (tied with The Thing). In The Mouth of Madness is one of the best Lovecraftian horror movies ever, and Sam Neill in the lead nails the role perfectly. The Thing was one of the first horror movies I watched with my dad & always holds a special place in my heart.

[@phillipjohnson8903]

Starting off the best time of the year with the a great matt draper vid. Couldn't ask for more

[@JurassicRod]

I swap out Mouth of Madness for They Live. As much as I love Carpenters films and as highly regarded as Mouth of Madness is, I never got into it.

[@newtypepunk9967]

Obviously The Thing is the best out of these movies, but I have to tell you, Prince of Darkness freaked me out when I watched it in my younger days, it has this whole eerie feeling all the way through, very unsettling, I find mirrors themselves are a terrifying device if used well in horror. The Mouth of Madness you can't even tell what's real anymore, that dream effect, all 3 movies are very interesting in their own way. Nice video dude.

[@aces553]

The Thing is one of my al time favorites, and gets played regularly. A comfort movie for me.

[@Renkinjutsushi]

In the Mouth of Madness is my favorite Carpenter movie, and one of my horror movies, period.

[@TheRealAdaWong]

Been saying forever someone needs to attempt an anthology franchise again on the big screen. It would be an instant hit. Make solo films for a Slasher, Psychological, Supernatural, and Cosmic Horror theme. Tie them together with small hints, connections, or reoccurring characters. But make each scenario completely unrelated. So fans will speculate and theorize. Then interconnect them all in a fifth and final installment in an Apocalyptic scenario. There’s so much pioneering that can be done with movies and characters becoming more meta and self aware about their existence or circumstances.

[@ginofrancejr555]

Excellent review carpenters apocalypse trilogy is cosmic and lovecraftian horror done right

[@spagredo]

Mouth of Madness is, quite easily, my favorite Carpenter joint. It’s combination of King and Lovecraft with a good dash of Glengarry Glen Ross and its rock influenced soundtrack is just…nothing else like it.

[@carsonsmith7314]

Well, three of my favorite horror movies from one of my favorite directors getting the respect they deserve equally. It must be my birthday! (It is when I write this, actually)

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

These are honestly some of John Carpenter 's best movies. Each movie has different takes on Cosmic horror and takes the tropes up eleven. Prince of Darkness is probably my favorite out of the trilogy

[@coldtour56]

Great video. Love Carpenter's movies, especially because they inspire so much speculation and discussion. Always fun to revisit.

[@dfailsthemost]

Man, Wyatt Russel looks just like Thing-era Kurt.

[@josephmummerth]

Despite never being named in the movie and only called Priest in the end credits, the subtitles in the DVD calls the Priest Father Loomis, another reference to Donald Pleasence's character in the Halloween franchise.

[@RaphaelRemington6969]

I was missing a Matt Draper video. I really dig your takes, editing, scores, your videos are nostalgic but modern at he same time. I’m a huge fan.

[@SpookyouKnowIt23]

What a magical video to pop up on my feed; Matt Draper AND John Carpenter

[@zaydk2196]

Matt Draper dropping a new JC video essay. AMAZING!

[@timetodothis3286]

I just saw the Thing the other day for the first time, and I immediately came to see if you had a video, guess i was a few day early for it

[@CTEagleCeltic]

I still don’t understand how people hated this movie?? Even the target Demo? I know ET kinda salted the water for the Gore, but the horrer/sci-fi nerds should’ve risen up.

[@furagnar]

I found this channel thru your great comics retrospectives. While I am not a fan of horror movies, your analysis is amazing. It hasn't particularly boosted my interest watching them, but it makes the meta around interesting. Thank you

[@DeepFleeceheart]

The background music during the intro sounds exactly like what was actually playing on my spotify, and i was having my own little existential moment.

[@Chandler_strickland002]

I’ve seen The thing and just watched Prince of darkness this morning. Now I’ve gotta get to In the mouth of Madness.

[@pyenapple]

Prince of Darkness is the true jewel, underappreciated and thoroughly unsettling in a way most horror movies never come close to

[@jasonsantos3037]

I love John Carpenter Apocalypt trilogy.

[@TheBeird]

Yes dude, Apocalypse of Body Soul and Mind! I’ve been saying this for years!

[@dogofwar6769]

Woo hoo, Dance with the Dead background music!

[@se_blate]

Me encanta tu canal Matt, saludos desde Argentina. Aguante Carpenter!

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the amazing video Matt ❤️

[@wolfishxwillow]

What a great video! Loved seeing the three of these beside one another

[@mandalorianhunter1]

Heck yes I really love this movie. Even though I know what happens I can never get tired of the plot or the environment. Be isolated in an arctic setting will never not be interesting. Another great one Matt

[@iandawson6461]

three films that informed the bulk of my love of horror films. From these came a love of Lovecraft and any storyteller (including King) that would explore the unknown, and leave us with the idea that we are smaller than we think and eerily close to madness.

[@I.b.shifty]

While I love all 3 of these movies, really love the fact that you used "the man who made a monster" in its entirety as your ending epilogue

[@jamesabernethy7896]

I've followed your videos for a while now and really like your videos. I've only recently got into horror but have always loved The Thing because I saw it as Sci-fi first. I've watch people do analyses and reviews on the other 2 and do feel I will check them out in time. Although not on your list, They Live could almost be here too but the setup is a little different. I only watched that movie a couple of months ago.

[@razielgeist1400]

Interesting Theory... I have had a similar position regarding John Carpenter movies but my perspective is a little different. That is to say my movies are different. I truly believe he was exploring 3 possible theories on alien invasion - The Thing: Alien is hostile and malevolent - Starman: Alien is kind, curious and benevolent - They Live: Aliens are already here, already in control and living amongst us I think these are the 3 movies that are truly connected... just my 2 cents Thanks for the discussion 🙏

[@BoyNamedSue4]

Mouth of Madness is the single greatest legal distinct from Stephen King movie ever made.

[@Demortixx]

No

[@orientalgnostic5046]

Actually, way more Lovecraftian than related to SK, really. Perhaps the ultimate unofficially Lovecraftian film ever. Imho.

[@josephmummerth]

all three of these films are very lovecraftian the third and final film in particular !

[@notsure1135]

Stephen King isn’t HP Lovecraft, you Philistine…

[@BoyNamedSue4]

@@notsure1135 yes. The plot is more Lovecraft but his character is so clearly closer to King. More than one thing can be true.

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

This ' thing 'film instantly became one of my favorites the day I witnessed it. Consider it one of the best movies ever made. Along with Frankenstein and night of the living dead 😂❤👻☠️

[@Jacob33FilmGuy]

This is an amazing video Matt I think my favorite in this trilogy is John Carpenter’s 1982 remake The Thing an amazing film keep up the great work could you do a video covering Jonathan Hickman’s legendary run on the Fantastic Four I have started reading vol 1 and it is fantastic

[@buzzholden2425]

12:39 I thought he said something a lot different at first

[@michikip45]

Hands down these are 3 of my favorite films period ❤

[@theycallmerisky619]

John Carpenter is my favorite director.

[@christophermcavoy1790]

Its wild how loved carpenter is in the horror genre and how many of his films are considered classics but he's been constantly shat on by critics and audiences

[@9594Jacob]

John Carpenter knows how make truly one of a kind of films for his time. A classic horror master.

[@madsjacobsen2551]

Please do a retrospective in October about the Chucky franchise especially the television show

[@SpookyouKnowIt23]

You know things are getting good when that wolf joins the Matt Draper intro

[@trence5]

Still intrigued by 'Prince of Darkness' interpretation of the Devil and "anti-God".

[@himwhoisnottobenamed5427]

Plus how they're from an antimatter universe.

[@faefftv]

carpenter is a frickin legend, great vid!!

[@dyingbreed5386]

In the Mouth of Madness is criminally underrated IMO.

[@Anynom]

Ah, nothing like a good Draper focus on John Carpenter!

[@Youkaikaze]

Maaaaan, I love Carpenter. Him and Kirkbride were really good about dropping red pills for gnosticism, the occult, and mysticism

[@zombieloveserte]

I love in the Mouth of Madness! It’s creepy, dreamy,lovecraftian, sinister, and full of dark humor.

[@josephmummerth]

my three favorite carpenter films the two best are the thing ,and in the mouth of madness !

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

Great watches for the upcoming Halloween season. Long live Carpenter

[@Ivan-pr7ku]

The Thing: Visceral Horror Prince of Darkness: Biblical Apocalypse They Live: Conspiratorial Redemption In The Mouth of Madness: Mental Breakdown

[@pyenapple]

Prince of Darkness is beyond religion, it’s into science and quantuum physics

[@inkenoir]

this was an absolutely fantastic video. Thank you so much. Very appropriate and correct to wish a Happy Halloween to all on Sept 26 since, as we all know, Halloween now begins on Sept 21 and goes all the way through Oct 31 :3 It's true, it's true. We will all face our apocalypse, you say... it makes me wonder if you read the occult :) this is very true, though I assure you it doesn't have to be terrifying. Meditation helps a lot! Your channel is so fantastic. Stay Rad. 🌟

[@jasondiasauthorpage615]

It's hard to swallow the negative popular and critical reaction of The Thing at this remove. It's a wonderful piece of cinema beloved by a generation.

[@ericthomas6726]

Halloween, these movies, and They Live are the best Carpenter movies ever made.

[@shane5896]

John Carpenter is truly an unappreciated genius. His movies are great, but they were rarely successful in their time.

[@Mortalkombat295]

Honestly what I think would be cool is the concept of the thing follow up where it’s actually able to escape or be rescued from the attic base and make it back to a city and see the results of that and have something similar to alien 2 or something like that but with more horror/ body horror. Kinda reminds me of slither

[@residentgrey]

A surprise reference to Assault on Precinct 13 stultified me.

[@Nono-hk3is]

Thank you Matt!

[@chriscasperson5927]

_The Thing From Another World_ took place at the North Pole Research Station. Edit: It also suffers from there's a day/nightday cycle. Beyond the Arctic and Antarctic circles, day is six months long, night is six months long.

[@graydenday3760]

All amazing movies but Big Trouble in Little China will always be my favorite movie of all time.

[@fredfredburger5150]

Great video buddy!

[@benny_lemon5123]

I grew up on this trilogy. I had many nightmares as a child, also 😅