THEY LIVE (1988) ★

It's a science fiction film, it's horror, it's an action comedy, it's a conspiracy thriller—actually, I'm calling it, it's a "Dudes Rock" movie. Roddy Piper and Keith David are one of the great Dudes Rock duos of all time, and they play some of the best Dudes Rock hits here with great zest, including "Stick It to the Man," "Let's Fight the Cops," and "Time To Kick Each Other's Ass (Semi-Affectionately)." Drape this over one of the bluntest (and most memorable) anti-capitalist narratives in all of cinema (much of it literally rendered in stark, indelible monochrome), throw in a handful of great one-liners, top it off with some imaginative creature design, and you got yourself a winner. Admittedly rough around the edges, and makes poor use of Meg Foster's character, but the mix of goofball spirit, righteous anger, and B-movie inventiveness animating the goings-on here makes it easy to overlook its minor issues.

A ★★★★ review of They Live (1988)

It’s a science fiction film, it’s horror, it’s an action comedy, it’s a conspiracy thriller—actually, I’m calling it, it’s a “Dudes Rock” movie. Roddy Piper and Keith David are one of the great Dudes Rock duos of all time, and they play some of the best Dudes Rock hits here with great zest, including “Stick It to the Man,” “Let’s Fight the Cops,” and “Time To Kick Each Other’s Ass (Semi-Affectionately).” Drape this over one of the bluntest (and most memorable) anti-capitalist narratives in all of cinema (much of it literally rendered in stark, indelible monochrome), throw in a handful

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