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They Live

Director: John Carpenter Run Time: 93 min. Format: 35mm Rating: R Release Year: 1988

Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, Peter Jason, Sly Richardson, George “Buck” Flower

Subliminal messaging, consumerism, and alienness make up John Carpenter’s iconic vision of Los Angeles in They Live. Nada (Roddy Piper, RIP) is an out of work construction worker who accidentally discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to see much of humanity’s true identity…and it’s not of this world. Reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984, there is a plot to keep the human race in line but it doesn’t come from Big Brother government but, instead, from alien invaders. Carpenter takes Los Angeles’ reputation for loving beautiful facades and turns it into something poignant. This is your God.

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