John Carpenter Hints at 'The Thing' Identity, Fan Solves Mystery

The enduring mystery of John Carpenter’s iconic 1982 sci-fi horror film, "The Thing," lies in its ambiguous ending, which has kept fans guessing for over four decades. The film's conclusion leaves viewers uncertain about the fate of R.J. MacReady, portrayed by Kurt Russell, and Childs, played by Keith David, regarding who might transform into the titular creature. Carpenter deliberately crafted this uncertainty, providing no definitive clues—until a recent revelation.

During a special 4K screening of "The Thing" at the David Geffen Theater in Los Angeles on March 22, Carpenter disclosed to acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho that there is a "giant hint" embedded within the film that points to the eventual transformation of one of the characters into The Thing. In a playful twist, Carpenter hinted that he would share this secret with anyone willing to send him an unspecified amount of money "in an envelope to my house."

Carpenter also shared that even the actors were kept in the dark about who would become The Thing. "They had no clue," he confessed. "But they had to play it human, you see. The creature imitates perfectly. It could be one of us, it could be somebody in the audience, and there’s no way of telling. So I knew, they didn’t know."

Following the screening, indie director Joe Russo (not to be confused with the MCU's Joe Russo) took to X / Twitter to share his interpretation of the hinted clue. Russo pointed out that MacReady learns about the creature's ability to replicate at the cellular level, suggesting that individuals should only consume food or drink they have personally handled. Despite this knowledge, MacReady shares his liquor with Childs at the film's end. Russo posits that this action could indicate MacReady's transformation into The Thing, as sharing the bottle might allow the creature to infect Childs. "As soon as Childs drinks from the bottle, The Thing has won," Russo asserts. "It’s beaten its most skeptical, final threat."

Carpenter's film masterfully leaves these questions unanswered, maintaining its suspense. Yet, Russo provides additional support for his theory, highlighting the film's final line, "Why don't we just wait here for a little while, see what happens?" as particularly fitting if MacReady is already The Thing. He further theorizes about a scene where MacReady destroys what appears to be The Thing, suggesting it might be a superior imitation eliminating an inferior one to better infiltrate society upon rescue.

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While some fans are convinced by Russo's theory, others remain steadfast in their belief that Childs is the one who turns into the creature. A fan commented on Russo's thread, "I still think it’s Childs because we don’t know his whereabouts for a long time heading into the final scene. But Keith David will tell you he’s 100% not The Thing." Russo responded, "Carpenter said both actors don't know... Childs always felt like a red herring to me."

Regardless of which theory holds true, Carpenter's revelation adds a new layer of intrigue to "The Thing," showcasing his continued ability to captivate and engage audiences long after the film's release.