Questions
Who made They Live and when did it come out?
It was written, directed, and scored by John Carpenter and released on November 4, 1988. Carpenter used the pseudonym Frank Armitage for the screenplay credit.
Is They Live based on anything?
Yes, it is based on Ray Nelson’s 1963 short story Eight O’Clock in the Morning.
What is the movie actually about?
A drifter finds special sunglasses that reveal the world’s true state, showing subliminal messages commanding people to consume and conform, plus alien infiltrators disguised as humans.
Who stars in it?
Pro wrestler Roddy Piper plays the drifter Nada, with Keith David as Frank Armitage, Meg Foster as Holly Thompson, and Raymond St. Jacques as the Street Preacher.
How did Roddy Piper get cast?
Carpenter reportedly discovered Piper at WrestleMania III in 1987 and was impressed by his everyman appearance.
What is that famous bubblegum line?
Piper reportedly improvised the line during production: “I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass. And I’m all out of bubble gum.” Carpenter later noted it became the film’s most iconic moment.
How long is the legendary alley fight scene?
The fight between Nada and Frank over a pair of the special sunglasses runs about five and a half minutes.
How long did that fight take to make?
The alley fight reportedly took a month to choreograph and three days to shoot.
What does the name Nada mean?
“Nada” means “nothing” in Spanish. The character is never actually addressed by name in the dialogue and is only called Nada in the credits.
How big was the budget?
The film was made for about $4 million and grossed roughly $13.4 million in North America.
How was it shot?
It was filmed in about eight weeks in March and April 1988, largely on location in downtown Los Angeles, and Carpenter reportedly hired actual homeless people as extras for the shantytown scenes.
How was it received at first?
It initially got negative reviews but later gained cult status and is now regarded as one of Carpenter’s best films, holding an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Did the movie leave a mark on pop culture?
Yes. It heavily influenced street artist Shepard Fairey’s “Obey” campaign, and the film has been referenced in video games like Saints Row IV and in music videos by Green Day and Anti-Flag.
Is the alley brawl considered one of the greats?
It is. The fight scene ranked 7th on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the 20 Greatest Fight Scenes Ever, and the film placed #18 on Entertainment Weekly’s 2008 “Cult 25” list.
