John Carpenter Claims Popular Theory About His Best Movie Is All Wrong
The Thing is one of the most chilling horror classics of all time. This John Carpenter film has become a beloved staple for movie buffs since its release in the summer of 1982, and it also features one of the most widely debated endings of all time. A popular theory posed by the film’s own cinematographer, Dean Cundey, guesses that it’s Childs who is infected with a body-snatching alien at the end of the film, but according to Variety, Carpenter says he’s wrong.
John Carpenter has said the famous theory about the ending of The Thing, proposed by cinematographer Dean Cundey, may not be correct.
Known for its suspense and paranoia, John Carpenter’s The Thing continues to spark fierce debates about the ending, even with the people who worked on making the film. Is R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) or Childs (Keith David) infected with the body-snatching alien? Cundey’s theory that it’s Childs who is infected is one of the more popular ones, not only because Cundey worked on the film but because his theory makes a lot of sense.
Cundey suggested that a specific light gleam in the eyes of the characters could reveal whether they were currently the alien or not. According to his theory, a light gleam in Childs’ eyes during the final scene indicates that he is indeed infected with the Thing. However, in a recent interview, John Carpenter dismissed Cundey’s explanation of the ending, saying, “He has no clue.”
When asked to reveal the truth about The Thing’s ending, John Carpenter responded, “Nope. Cannot tell you. Sorry.”
To be fair, John Carpenter didn’t say that Cundey was wrong in his theory, but the director implied that the cinematographer was shooting in the dark, saying, “He’s full of shit.” Carpenter added that he is the only person who knows the truth behind the ending of this iconic movie.
When asked to reveal the truth about The Thing’s ending, John Carpenter responded, “Nope. Cannot tell you. Sorry.” So maybe Cundey’s right. Or maybe he’s wrong. Either way, it doesn’t look like Carpenter is ready to reveal this particular secret just yet.
It’s probably for the best that John Carpenter won’t reveal the true ending to The Thing. The film’s ambiguity has been part of its enduring appeal, keeping fans engaged in debates and discussions for decades. Revealing the truth could potentially ruin the movie’s entire legacy.
To be fair, John Carpenter didn’t say that Cundey was wrong in his theory, but the director implied that the cinematographer was shooting in the dark, saying, “He’s full of shit.”
In the meantime, Carpenter is making the press rounds to promote his new true crime horror anthology series, John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams, which premiered on October 13th on Peacock. Unlike The Thing, this series delves into real horror tales as recounted by those who experienced them. Their accounts are brought to life through recreations, news clips, home photos, and archival footage, promising to deliver spine-tingling stories for horror enthusiasts.
While fans of The Thing may be left with unanswered questions about the film’s ending, John Carpenter did tantalize fans earlier this year with hints of a potential sequel, cryptically saying, “There may be a Thing 2.” However, no further details have been disclosed.
Similar to Christopher Nolan’s Inception or Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, The Thing endures as a cinematic classic shrouded in an existential ending featuring a mystery that may never be solved. John Carpenter’s recent comments on the film only confirm that we may never know exactly how he intended the feature to end. And it ensures that future generations of movie buffs will be able to continue debating which The Thing theory is correct.
