Vince Gilligan Says the 1982 “Thing” Beats Its Own Predecessor

Vince Gilligan Ranks John Carpenter’s 1982 “The Thing” Above the 1951 Original

Vince Gilligan, famed for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, recently weighed in on the classic sci‑fi horror film that debuted 44 years ago. He explained why the 1982 version of The Thing outshines its 1951 predecessor.

• Early Interest
  Gilligan first became intrigued by the story while a fan of director John Carpenter. The 1982 film follows a team of scientists in Antarctica confronting an alien that can mimic any living organism.

• Critique of the 1951 Version
  In a Letterboxd video, Gilligan noted that the original’s cast of heroic army men rarely showed genuine fear—even when attacked—making their reactions feel unconvincing. He praised the newer film for portraying ordinary people terrified and scrambling to survive, which added realism.

• Praise for the 1982 Film
  Gilligan called it “head and shoulders better” than its predecessor, highlighting the relatability of its actors. He compared lead actor Kurt Russell to his own ensemble on Pluribus, noting their strong presence.

• Ratings Snapshot
• The Thing (1982): 92 % audience score, 82 % critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

• The Thing (1951): Slightly higher critic score but less popular with general viewers.

• Parallels to Pluribus
  Gilligan sees similarities between the films: an alien threat that turns people into a collective mind, and heroes who are flawed civilians—not military experts—facing the danger.

Gilligan’s comments underscore how a modern remake can enhance an older story by deepening character realism, even within the horror genre.