They Live, one of John Carpenter’s cult classics, will be available for streaming on Peacock starting September 1.

This 1988 science fiction action horror film will soon find a new audience as it becomes available on the Peacock streaming service. They Live, based on Ray Nelson’s 1963 short story “Eight O’Clock in the Morning,” was John Carpenter’s eleventh feature film and marked one of the first significant acting roles for professional wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. The film initially premiered to mixed reviews but managed to secure the number one spot at the North American box office. Over time, critical reception has become more favorable, with many praising its central anti-consumerism message. The movie is also famous for Roddy Piper’s memorable line, “I’ve come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass, and I’m all out of bubblegum.”

John Carpenter’s They Live quietly influenced pop culture by weaving a unique narrative about capitalism and alien invasion. Carpenter acquired the rights to “Eight O’Clock in the Morning” before production and used it as the foundation for his screenplay. He has stated that the film was his critique of “Reaganomics,” the policies of President Reagan, and the increasing commercialization in entertainment and politics.

The storyline centers on a homeless drifter named Nada who arrives in Los Angeles, California, seeking employment and shelter. He finds work at a construction site and befriends Frank (Keith David) and a suspicious man named Gilbert (Peter Jason). Through Gilbert and a clandestine group of conspirators, Nada comes across a special pair of sunglasses that reveal hidden truths about the world. These sunglasses expose subliminal messages in everyday media and reveal that some humans are actually disguised, bug-eyed aliens. Nada joins a human resistance force and dedicates himself to exposing this hidden reality to the entire world.

They Live will be available for streaming on Peacock starting September 1.

Source: Peacock

They Live

R

Horror

Action

They influence our decisions without us knowing it. They numb our senses without us feeling it. They control our lives without us realizing it. They live.

Director: John Carpenter

Release Date: November 4, 1988

Cast: Keith David, Meg Foster, Roddy Piper, Susan Blanchard, Raymond St. Jacques, Peter Jason

Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes

Main Genre: Science Fiction