The Thing is a prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 film of the same name. It charts the expedition of a group of scientists who go to Antarctica and find an alien creature that they unwittingly bring to life. What ensues is a predictable gore fest, as the scientists are killed off one-by-one by the revolting beast that is: the ‘Thing’.

The film begins with a sequence depicting the Antarctic winter of 1982 that is reminiscent of Carpenter’s original. A snow van makes it way across the grand, isolated landscape, where inside, Dutch scientists appear to be tracking down something anonymous. As the van finally pulls to a stop, the snow underneath breaks away and the scientists are pulled into an abyss. The next thing you know, the film’s title is rolling across the screen making for an unfortunately dizzying experience.

In fact, such an opening sequence says a considerable amount about The Thing as a whole. What we get are cheap thrills but no substance or development in the film’s storyline. This makes for an unstructured story that is often nauseating but rarely enthralling.

The acting on a whole is good, but the script too basic to allow the characters to develop into individuals that are relatable in any way. As a result, this means that the whole plot of the film is unmoving because it merely charts the massacre of a group of people who we couldn’t care less about.

Another problem with the film can be found in its use of CGI. The ‘Thing’ itself is a disgusting construction that leaves no room for the viewer’s imagination. We see a revolting combination of different organs that is an eyesore every time it comes onto the screen. However, such explicit vulgarity does not allow for the creation of any sense of fear or tension. This is highly problematic in a film that is supposed to be of the horror genre, and thus intended to create an unsettling, creepy atmosphere.

The Thing shouldn’t really have been made. It is a pointless prequel that is rather unpleasing to watch.