They Live

What does this 1988 John Carpenter Sci Fi Horror send-up tell us about Carpenter’s political ideas at the time? How does the film illustrate a more general point about ideology and conspiracy mongering? Why does the film function so well as a sort of Rorschach ink blot that allows people across the political spectrum to see in it as commentary on the classes they consider to be controlling society? Why does it resonate so well with populism both left and right? How does the film resonate with leftist cinema of the 60s and science fiction films of the 1950s? How does the character of Nada reflect the zealousness of the true believer? How does the film reflect the phenomenon of multi-national corporations? Is there a symbolism of conspiracy theories’ tendency toward dehumanization in Carpenter’s decision to portray the aliens as monstrous in appearance?