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

The enigmatic ending of John Carpenter's iconic 1982 sci-fi horror film, The Thing, has left fans pondering for over four decades about the fate of R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) and Childs (Keith David). The film's conclusion leaves viewers guessing whether either character has transformed into the film's titular monster. Carpenter, the mastermind behind the suspense, deliberately crafted an ambiguous ending, but recent revelations have sparked new discussions.

During a special 4K screening of The Thing at the David Geffen Theater in Los Angeles on March 22, Carpenter hinted to director Bong Joon Ho that there's a "giant hint" within the film that indicates who turns into The Thing at the end. In a playful twist, Carpenter suggested that the secret could be his for a price, humorously asking for money to be sent "in an envelope to my house."

Carpenter also shared that even the actors were kept in the dark about the true identity of The Thing. "They had no clue," he said. "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 theory about the crucial hint. Russo pointed out that MacReady learns the creature can replicate at a cellular level, implying that they should only consume items they've personally handled. Yet, at the film's end, MacReady shares his liquor with Childs. Russo theorizes that this act could signify MacReady's transformation into The Thing, suggesting that by sharing the bottle, "The Thing has won," effectively neutralizing its last threat.

Carpenter's genius lies in leaving the film's ending unresolved, but Russo's theory adds an intriguing layer. He further supports his argument by analyzing the film's final line, "Why don't we just wait here for a little while, see what happens?" suggesting it aligns well with MacReady being The Thing. Russo also questions the scene where MacReady kills what appears to be The Thing, proposing it could be "a BETTER imitation kill[ing] a POORER imitation" to better infiltrate society upon rescue.

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26 ImagesSome fans found Russo's theory compelling, while others remained convinced that Childs is the true monster. A fan commented, "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 the debates, Carpenter's ability to keep fans engaged and theorizing years after the film's release is a testament to his storytelling prowess. His continued insights only add to the legacy of The Thing, keeping the mystery alive and well.