They Live 1988 Movie Analysis- Fiction or Documentary

The 1988 movie They Live by John Carpenter was way ahead of its time, and it didn't need to use standard Sci Fi symbolism. This movie puts it right out there in the open. Rowdy Rody Piper, who played the lead Nada (Nobody) claimed just before his death that They Live was not a movie but a documentary. Here I look into a few key scenes, the blind preacher, the glasses, the fight with Frank, the underground and ending. I made this about a month ago, just getting around to putting it up today.

[seanmichaelpatten]

I'm not sure if you missed the biggest metaphor from the fight due to being Canadian, but Frank being Black and Piper being White is deliberate. Since the late 1600's the United States has used racial division by the elite to create infighting by the lower classes. Frank refuses to see, not just because the truth hurts, but because of the distrust between White's and Blacks created over the centuries. They may be friends, but there's still a division UNTIL Frank finally recognizes that he and Piper are the same. They are BOTH slaves to this system, and it's the system itself that convinced them otherwise.

It's similar to the Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter going on in the wake of George Floyd. The lower classes fight each other, while the ruling class makes off like bandits and blinds us to the truth about the abuses of power being implemented during the Pandemic.

As an American, the fight scene in They Live is one of the most powerful statements about race in this country featured in film.

[ShawnCaldwell]

the sunglasses in the movie is symbolic. it represents the moment when your third eye is activated and you can now see the false reality that has been pulled over you blinding you to the truth. and you are correct about the fight scene. it is also symbolic. it represents how extremely difficult is is to wake others up.

[staceyharvey]

Fantastic analysis on! Keep fighting the good fight my friend!

[Stillpril]

The guy in the suit underground talks about a" killer flu or cold...end of the world type stuff" in the beginning when he is in the tent city.

[michaelwills]

I imagine the pitch for this project ended with “sure John, you go ahead and tell everyone our secret they will never believe you…but It’ll make a great movie”

[pkosb]

This video just showed up!
Never knew it exists.
I was 18 when this movie came out but didn't watch it because I thought it looked stupid. That's what I get for judging before giving something a chance.
I've never seen most the movies Matt from QOC talks about. Yet I know WHAT he's talking about.
Great analysis! And I've heard many about "They Live".
Thank you Howdie 🕊😎💜

[ltii]

about ten years ago, me and a friend were blown away by clips of the movie we had seen and we encountered many technical problems on the computer before finally watching the complete film

[pups.shadilay.]

Nada is also giving the finger to the white light.

💚😇🐸😇💚

[foolishwatcher]

Absolutely fantastic analysis. Ever since I saw the movie for the first time, I could never forget it, although back then, I was quite young and certainly sleeping. I saw it then only as an unusual SciFi (which I always loved most), but something kept it in my memory.
In recent years and certainly now, it is mentioned more and within the right context, but you nailed it! BTW: Meg Foster didn't wear special lenses, she really has these unusual, watery blue eyes. Look her up on IMDB, it is even more expressive in her later years. ;-)

[AngstG]

Great break down of this flick, you pointed out some things I overlooked even after watching this move many times thru the years. A few other good John Carpenter flicks about the nature of false reality are 'In The Mouth Of Madness' and 'Prince of Darkness'..

[imaginarycanary]

Love your work Howdie. You have inspired me to start something. I don’t know what yet, but just to decide to start is a big step for someone who’s suffered from creative block for decades. Thank you for contributing.

[goodlife]

This is excellent, and especially resonates given the 'They Live' scenario that is 2020. Best wishes from England, UK.

[brelant]

Lawn mower disruption was very Truman Show like

[shaerynlouisa]

I was just telling someone about this movie, and three days later Howdie’s interpretation is revealed to me !

[riseiros]

The name Frank could also mean someone that is honest and straight-talking, someone that is completely frank. Cheers.

[williamlodderhose]

Great review Howdie. I'm turning 60 next month and still remember seeing this flick in the theater. Wonderful breakdown of the fight scene, because buried beneath the first level of racial tension is the true meaning of it, the refusal by Frank to (want) to see something, to see some truth, that's what (he) was fighting against. . .(and) of course so many of us have had those issues trying to convince loved ones of the deeper meanings of what is happening today.

[TheVeganSceptic]

I would love an analysis of the movie Dark City, it would go amazing with basically everything you are talking about.

[vatcity]

The tuxed greeter at the elite party who was also “blow it out your ass” guy at homeless camp is named George “Buck” Flower (Fowler). He’s like a symbol. Hea in all John carpenter movies. He’s also the bum in back to the future. I wanted to do a video specifically about him.

[SPQR]

It’s interesting that the sculpture reliefs in ancient Babylonian art have beings who are wearing wristbands that resembles wrist watches

[charlesmoen]

this is incredible so glad i saw you on autodidact and subscribed to your channel!