# They Live (1988)

> A drifting construction worker discovers that alien elites secretly govern Los Angeles through propaganda, consumerism, and enforced obedience.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/4039

## Facts

- Runtime: 93 min
- Genres: Science Fiction, Action, Thriller
- Director: John Carpenter
- Cast: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George Buck Flower, Peter Jason, Raymond St. Jacques, Jason Robards III, John Lawrence
- TMDB rating: 7.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096256/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: brutal
- Mood: satirical, paranoid, irreverent, cult movie night, political satire night

## Synopsis

A construction worker discovers a shocking truth hidden in plain sight, revealing a world of control and deception.

## Movies like They Live

- [Predator 2 (1990)](https://ember.film/movie/136)
- [Dreamscape (1984)](https://ember.film/movie/14201)
- [Liquid Sky (1982)](https://ember.film/movie/12645)
- [Blue Thunder (1983)](https://ember.film/movie/3498)
- [Escape from L.A. (1996)](https://ember.film/movie/5178)
- [Total Recall (1990)](https://ember.film/movie/706)
- [Nemesis (1992)](https://ember.film/movie/14298)
- [Alien Nation (1988)](https://ember.film/movie/5241)
- [The Puppet Masters (1994)](https://ember.film/movie/15150)
- [Brazil (1985)](https://ember.film/movie/41)

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