They Live

Directed by John Carpenter
Starring “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster

This month’s Reel Talk Presents screening—as voted by you!— John Carpenter’s late 80s sci-fi action horror, They Live!

Wrestling superstar “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has come to chew bubblegum and kick ass… and he’s all out of bubblegum in this cult classic.

When Los Angeles drifter Nada (Piper) comes across a pair of special sunglasses created by a secret organization, he uncovers a terrifying world where bug-eyed aliens have taken control of Earth, concealing their ghoulish appearance to blend into society. Alert to the truth, Nada teams up with his new friend Frank (Keith David) to stop the invading aliens from broadcasting their subliminal messages in the media and wake society up from their illusions.

Adapted from the short story “Eight O’Clock in the Morning” by Ray Nelson and inspired by his dissatisfaction with the policies of then U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Carpenter puts the rise of commercialism in the crosshairs with this satirical social commentary on pop culture and politics.