“The Thing” by John Carpenter and Its Unexplained Ending
The ending of John Carpenter’s The Thing is notoriously ambiguous and open to interpretation, which has led to numerous theories from fans and critics about what really happens to MacReady (Kurt Russell) and Childs (Keith David). Here are some theories about the ending:
Both Are Human: The simplest theory is that neither MacReady nor Childs has been infected by the Thing. They both survive the chaos and await death from the cold, knowing they have no way of discovering who among them is infected.
Childs Is the Thing: Many believe that Childs was infected by the Thing when he disappeared during the final battle. A common detail in this theory is that in the final scene, MacReady’s breath is visible due to the cold, while Childs’ breath is not, suggesting that Childs is not breathing like a human.
MacReady Is the Thing: Another theory suggests that MacReady himself was infected. His apparent calm during the ending and his awareness of what will happen could indicate that the Thing has taken control and is waiting for the cold to eliminate Childs in order to survive.
Both Are the Thing: A more radical theory is that both MacReady and Childs have been infected by the Thing. In this scenario, the ending is tragically ironic because both believe the other is still human and are trying to deceive each other.
The Thing Is Dead: Another theory is that the Thing was completely destroyed by the explosion of the base and that neither MacReady nor Childs is infected. Their fate is sealed, as they will die from the cold, but at least the alien threat has been eliminated.
Cyclical Ending: Some theories suggest that the film’s ending hints at an endless cycle of mistrust and paranoia. Even if the Thing has been destroyed, the suspicious nature of humanity means that MacReady and Childs will never trust each other, and their psychological struggle represents humanity’s intrinsic tendency toward mutual destruction.
These theories show how Carpenter’s film left the ending open, sparking ongoing discussions among fans about who the Thing really was and what the fate of the survivors was.
“The Thing” by John Carpenter and Its Unexplained Ending
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
