THE THING Director John Carpenter knows who isn’t human by the end of the film

Giovanni Carpenteris the classic sci-fi horror thriller The thing is loved by virtually every movie fan. He tells a well-crafted and emotional story and the special effects work done for the film is amazing. Another aspect I love about the film is the ending. With only two characters left alive, we’re never really sure which is human and which has been taken by the alien creature.

The Thing cinematographer Dean Cundey offered some commentary on the scene in the film’s Blu-ray release, and shares what he believes is a clue as to who is human and who has been taken over:

“So we were looking for a subtle way to tell which of these [men] it could be human. You’ll notice that there’s always a light in the eye, as we call it, a little twinkle in the actor’s eyes. He gives life. “That light in the eyes” is supposedly a clue, as survivors MacReady claim (Kurt Russell) and children (Keith David) wait to see what happens before the credits roll.”

However, while promoting his new series, John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams, the director responded to that statement, saying:

“He has no idea. She has no idea. Yes I know. I know who the Thing is and who isn’t, in the end. He has no idea. She turns on the lights. He turned on the lights and we were in the snow. He doesn’t have the slightest idea.

When asked if he wanted Cundey to know what he really thinks, Carpenter added mischievously: “Tell him. Tell him he’s full of shit.”

This is a big secret detail that Carpenter keeps to himself. I’m not sure he’ll ever reveal it, and you know what, I’d be fine if he never revealed it. Personally I like the mystery of him. I like to think that it’s Russell’s MacReady, that the main character of the story didn’t make it. What do you think?

Source: CB