As terror takes over Netflix, now is the perfect time to watch this legendary sci-fi horror

The terrorNetflix’s resurgence after its initial success in 2018 is reminding audiences of its gripping, horror-inflected story — a story that, in turn, has eerie similarities to one of the most celebrated sci-fi monster movies of all time. in many ways, The terror is a very distinctive project. Season 1 is not only an adaptation of a successful novel, but the entire story is based on the true story of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition, which gives the whole series an authentic veneer, despite its supernatural theme. However, despite the unique characteristics, The terror is still rooted in the horror tradition.

like The terrorAs the plot unfolds, it is clear that it owes a debt to various narrative traditions. With its harsh arctic landscape and arduous journey, the show is evocative of feature films like The RevenantWhile its setting evokes period pieces such as master and commander. The story of a monster versus the crew with potential paranormal involvement is also a feature of many successful horror stories.Ranging from Ridley Scott’s Alien To the Stephen King-inspired The garbage. However, some specifics of The terror‘s history means that, when it comes to drawing potential parallels, one particular movie stands out.

This thing is the perfect movie to watch after the terror

Their settings and stories are very similar

Released in 1982 to an initially lukewarm critical reception, John Carpenter’s legendary sci-fi horror The thing is now rightly regarded as one of the greatest entries in the genre ever made. While its reputation has only grown over time, the resurgence of The terror represents the perfect opportunity for fans to familiarize themselves with the story.

like The terror, The thing is a paranoid thriller set in a remote frozen desert. While Carpenter’s movie is set in Antarctica rather than the Arctic, Both projects convey a strong sense of isolation That, when things start to go wrong, helps to stimulate a growing atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion among the protagonists. In both stories, when disaster strikes, it is clear that there is no chance that help will soon arrive to save the day.

Beyond their settings, however, the two stories have other clear connections. Both, for example, have a mysterious monster that attacks the group. While The thingThe villain is extraterrestrial rather than supernatural, Both creatures convey an intimidating sense of otherworldly power. Combined with flawed but charismatic main players who are all imperiled by scary monsters and the prospect of a complete psychological breakdown, it is clear that these stories include all the necessary ingredients to create a compelling survival thriller.

The Terror and The Thing explore the same themes

They tap into the same primal fears

Although specific plot details between The thing And The terror Are interesting, what makes the projects even more closely aligned are their thematic connections. Beyond monsters, the show and movie are studies in paranoia. in The thingThe nature of the shape-shifting alien makes it impossible to know who to trust. so too, letters in The terror are soon reduced to plotting and scheming against each other – Partly due to the evil influence of villains like Cornelius Hickey. In both cases, the story is an example of how stress can split group dynamics and how such divisions can prove deadly.

in their own way, These two stories also explore the raw, mysterious power of nature. in The terrorThe monstrous tunbak is essentially the embodiment of nature’s fury, seeking to repel the explorers trying to tame, subjugate and pollute the earth. Although The thing is less overtly anti-colonial, the alien’s shape-shifting abilities (as well as its stomach-churning ability to absorb everything it touches) are a reminder that nature is capable of terrifying wonders we can’t begin to comprehend. The fact that both stories unfold in the same bleak, frozen setting only invites the viewer to look for further similarities.

The terror is arguably even more terrifying than the thing

It has one major advantage

Thanks to legendary special effects and the masterful direction of John Carpenter, The thing is widely regarded as one of the best sci-fi horror movies ever made. Although The terror is widely respected and has been very well reviewed, it cannot claim to have the same status in the genre. However, although it remains an effective chiller (in every sense of the word), there is one thing that The thing Lacks when compared to the AMC series.

For some viewers, the fact that The terror Is based on a true story makes it much more horrifying than the entirely fictional The thing Could ever be. Although many aspects of the story are completely made up (including, of course, the monstrous tunback that hunts the crew), the fact remains that we do not know what went wrong on the real HMS Terror and Erebus. The tantalizing ambiguity is deeply unnerving, raising all kinds of terrifying possibilities about what might have happened.