Summary
The Terror’s resurgence on Netflix following its initial success in 2018 is reminding audiences of its gripping, horror-inflected story – a story which, in turn, has eerie similarities to one of the most celebrated sci-fi monster movies of all time. In many ways,The Terroris a very distinctive project. Not only is season 1 an adaptation of a successful novel, but the entire narrative builds on thetrue story of the ill-fated Franklin expedition, giving the whole series an authentic veneer, despite its supernatural subject matter. However, despite these unique characteristics,The Terroris still rooted in horror tradition.
AsThe Terror’s plot unfolds, it’s clear that it owes a debt to various storytelling traditions. With its harsh arctic landscape and arduous journey, the show is evocative of feature films likeThe Revenant, while its setting evokes period pieces such asMaster and Commander.The story of a monster attacking the crew with potential paranormal involvement is also a feature of many successful horror stories, ranging from Ridley Scott’sAliento the Stephen King-inspiredThe Mist. However, certain specifics ofThe Terror’s story mean that, when it comes to drawing potential parallels, one particular movie stands out.
The Thing Is The Perfect Movie To Watch After The Terror
Their Settings And Stories Are Extremely Similar
Released in 1982 to an initially lukewarm critical reception,John Carpenter’s legendary sci-fi horrorThe Thingis now rightly regarded as one of the greatest entries in the genre ever made. While its reputation has only grown in time, the resurgence ofThe Terrorrepresents the perfect opportunity for fans to reacquaint themselves with the story.
The Thingis available to stream on Apple TV+.
LikeThe Terror,The Thingis a paranoid thriller set in a remote frozen wilderness. While Carpenter’s movie is set in Antarctica rather than the Arctic,both projects convey a powerful sense of isolationthat, when things start to go wrong, helps to foment a growing atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion among the protagonists. In both stories, when disaster strikes, it’s clear that there is no chance of help arriving imminently to save the day.
Beyond their settings, however, the two stories have other clear connections. Both, for instance, feature a mysterious monster that attacks the group. WhileThe Thing’s villain is extraterrestrial rather than supernatural,both creatures convey an intimidating sense of otherworldly power. Coupled with flawed but charismatic main players who are all imperiled by scary monsters and the prospect of a total psychological breakdown, it’s clear that the stories include all the necessary ingredients to create a compelling survival thriller.
The Terror Season 3: Confirmation, Cast, Story & Everything We Know
After several years of waiting, the anthology series The Terror has been renewed for a third season, and there is already exciting news.
The Terror And The Thing Explore The Same Themes
They Tap Into The Same Primal Fears
Although specific plot details betweenThe ThingandThe Terrorare interesting, what makes the projects even more closely aligned are their thematic connections. Beyond monsters, the show and movie are studies in paranoia. InThe Thing, the nature of the shape-shifting alien makes it impossible to know who to trust. Likewise,characters inThe Terrorare soon reduced to plotting and scheming against each other– partly due to the malign influence ofvillains like Cornelius Hickey. In both cases, the story is an exemplar of how stress can splinter group dynamics and how such divisions can prove deadly.
AlthoughThe Thingis less overtly anti-colonial, the shape-shifting abilities of the alien (as well as its stomach-churning ability to absorb anything it touches) are a reminder that nature is capable of terrifying wonders we can’t begin to comprehend.
In their own way,the two stories also explore the raw, mysterious power of nature. InThe Terror, the horrifying Tuunbaq is essentially the embodiment of nature’s fury, looking to repel the explorers trying to tame, subjugate, and pollute the land. AlthoughThe Thingis less overtly anti-colonial, the shape-shifting abilities of the alien (as well as its stomach-churning ability to absorb anything 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 Frightening Than The Thing
It Has One Major Advantage
Thanks to legendary special effects and the masterful direction of John Carpenter,The Thingis widely hailed as one of the best sci-fi horror movies ever made. AlthoughThe Terroris widely respected and has been very well reviewed, it can’t claim to have the same status in the genre. However, while it remains an effective chiller (in every sense of the word), there is one thing thatThe Thinglacks when compared to the AMC series.
For some viewers, the fact thatThe Terroris based on a true storymakes it much more horrifying than the entirely fictionalThe Thingcould ever been. While many aspects of the story are completely made up (including, obviously, the monstrous Tuunbaq that hunts the crew), the fact remains that we do not know what went wrong aboard the real HMS Terror and Erebus. This tantalizing ambiguity is deeply unnerving, raising all kinds of horrible possibilities about what might have taken place.
