They Live

Main Plot

"They Live," directed by John Carpenter, follows a drifter who discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveal the hidden reality around him. Through these glasses, he sees that the world is controlled by aliens who manipulate humans through subliminal messages in mass media and advertising. The aliens use their influence to maintain power and keep the population subdued. The protagonist joins a resistance movement to expose the truth and fight against the alien oppressors. As he navigates this dangerous new reality, he faces numerous challenges and confrontations, ultimately striving to awaken humanity to the covert invasion and reclaim their freedom. The film blends science fiction and social commentary, critiquing consumerism and the power structures within society.

Characters

• Roddy Piper plays John Nada, a drifter who discovers sunglasses revealing hidden messages and alien overlords controlling humanity. He leads a rebellion against the oppressive forces.
• Keith David plays Frank Armitage, a construction worker who becomes an ally to the protagonist, helping to uncover and fight against a hidden alien invasion controlling humanity.
• Meg Foster plays Holly Thompson, a cable network employee who becomes entangled with the protagonist, initially appearing as an ally but later revealed to have a more complex role.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of John Carpenter's "They Live," the protagonist, John Nada, infiltrates the alien-controlled television station with the help of his friend Frank. They discover that the aliens have been using a signal to disguise their true appearance and manipulate humanity. Nada and Frank fight their way to the roof of the building, where the signal transmitter is located. During the intense confrontation, Frank is killed, and Nada is mortally wounded. Despite his injuries, Nada manages to destroy the transmitter, sacrificing himself in the process. With the transmitter destroyed, the alien's true forms are revealed to the public. People across the city see the aliens for what they really are, causing widespread shock and chaos. The film ends with a series of scenes showing humans reacting to the sudden revelation, including a final, darkly humorous shot of a woman realizing that her lover is an alien. Nada's actions ultimately expose the alien conspiracy, but the film leaves the future uncertain, highlighting the beginning of humanity's awakening to the hidden oppression they have been living under.