They Live is a 1988 American science fiction action horror film written, directed, and scored by John Carpenter, and starring Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster. It was based on the 1963 short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning" by Ray Nelson. Set in Los Angeles, it follows a working class drifter (Piper) who discovers that the ruling class are camouflaged aliens, which drives him on a quest to expose them to the world.
Having acquired the film rights to the story prior to the production of They Live, Carpenter used the story as the basis for the screenplay's structure, which he wrote under the pseudonym "Frank Armitage." Carpenter has stated that the themes of They Live stemmed from his dissatisfaction with the economic policies of then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan, as well as what Carpenter saw as increasing commercialization in both popular culture and politics.
They Live was a minor success upon release, debuting at number 1 at the North American box office. It initially received negative reviews from critics, who lambasted its social commentary, writing, and acting; however, it later gained a cult following and experienced a significantly more favorable critical reception. It is now regarded by many as one of Carpenter's best films. The film has also entered the pop culture lexicon, notably having a lasting effect on street art (particularly that of Shepard Fairey).
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