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Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Play trailer Poster for Invasion of the Body Snatchers PG 1978 1h 55m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 76 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
This remake of the classic horror film is set in San Francisco. Matthew Bennell assumes that when a friend complains of her husband's strange mood, it's a marital issue. However, he begins to worry as more people report similar observations. His concern is confirmed when writer Jack Bellicec and his wife discover a mutated corpse. Besieged by an invisible enemy, Bennell must work quickly before the city is consumed.
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

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Critics Consensus

Employing gritty camerawork and evocative sound effects, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a powerful remake that expands upon themes and ideas only lightly explored in the original.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies 02/19/2024
Kaufman’s invasion tracks the encroachment of consumerist conformity upon the liberated individualism of 60s Frisco – and would acquire new, unintended resonance when its theatrical release was immediately preceded by the collective madness of Jonestown. Go to Full Review
Pauline Kael The New Yorker 09/12/2023
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is more sheer fun than any movie I’ve seen since Carrie and Jaws and maybe parts of The Spy Who Loved Me. Go to Full Review
Adam Nayman The Ringer 10/02/2018
A decade after the Summer of Love, Invasion of the Body Snatchers essentially weaponized flower power, hinting that the erosion of individual consciousness in favor of groupthink was as natural and ingrained as photosynthesis itself. Go to Full Review
Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 10
The reason it's so effective is that throughout "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" the horror is a deeply felt, brilliantly imagined and visualized horror, not just a matter of special effects. Go to Full Review
George Anderson Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Jul 8
B+
A relentless pessimism pervades the action, and it is chillingly absorbing. Go to Full Review
Scott Collura IGN Movies Apr 4
What can I say? A world where people forsake their feelings, their beliefs, their thoughts, to join with a collective community where they don’t have to truly feel, or believe, or think about anything, but just blindly follow the herd? It’s too easy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Farah R @Farah 3d Invasion of the Body Snatchers isn’t a campy horror film from the 70s; it’s a well-crafted social commentary reflecting the anxieties of the Cold War. Feeling more like a psychological thriller with its elements of paranoia, it has become one of the most influential alien invasion films thanks to its strong performances and fantastic visual effects. But at the heart of this story, what really got me was the emotional romance between the main characters. See more Kevin L @Lakeman Jan 11 Still a stone cold classic. Kaufman did a fine job of creating a sense of a population slowly morphing into a new, less human form. Tone is set well early, and changes w/ the added tension. There are visuals early on that show that something isn't quite right with the world. Strong cast in general. Sutherland is esp. good. I always like seeing Brooke Adams, and she doesn't disappoint here. Nimoy is almost a Spock on Earth, though. But I see the point of having a presence of pure logic to cause the two leads to question themselves more in the face of the extreme claim they're making. I don't get Goldblum, though. But this was before it became clear that Goldblum is pretty much just always this. I don't see why a director making a sci-fi drama would think, "I need a Goldblum type for this role.". And the ending is nailed. At first, we're not sure if Matthew was faking that he was a pod person to 'fit in' and not get taken. But then it's made all too clear. Good stuff. 3.7 stars See more Will G @Kingofthepixies Dec 27 Top cast at their best in an excellent remake of the classic. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Dec 6 You can tell it's a really well made movie. Haven't seen the original, or the remake of the remake. I think I'm happy with just seeing this one. It was good. See more Chief B Dec 4 I think these pods have taken over my city too. Strangely this movie is a good metaphor for today's society where I live. Great movie with sophisticated effects and a beautiful look overall. . See more Kevin P Nov 5 An amazing remake of the 1950's sci-fi horror classic that updates the surreal horror and tension with creepy practical effects, great surreal cinematography, excellent dark moody lighting, and a great ambient soundtrack. The cast is very solid, with great performances from Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, and Leonard Nemoy. We also get an amazing cameo from the previous movie's lead actor Kevin McCarthy repeating the previous movie's ending by running into traffic yelling "they're here! You're next!". I like the cool opening scene with the outer space parasite globs and them passing down through the rain onto the plants. The direction is very strong, with this subtle, yet ever-present uneasy tension that keeps slowly rising throughout the entire film. We get plenty of subtle clues of background extras already showing sings of being pod people or being trusted by pod people. I love the bit "Do the thing with your eyes to show me you're not crazy". I love the intensely creepy and unsettling way everyone in downtown just stops to stare at the main characters in a straight line like cultures watching their prey. The pod hatching scenes are unnerving with some disgusting practical effects that show the ugly underbelly of these parasitic clones that try so hard to br "better versions of us". It makes for some great body horror, especially with that wtf scene with the dog wearing the man's face and an absolutely brutal way that the plant pods dispose of the old bodies after people fall asleep. It's emotionally devastating since you really want to see these characters make it out okay. But the film is relentless in it's overwhelming odds that make the characters feel puny and helpless. All culminating in a harrowing twist ending that's so iconic, despite it being a massive spoiler for those who've never seen the movie. It ends on a great note and cements itself as one of the best remakes of all time. See more Read all reviews
Invasion of the Body Snatchers

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Movie Info

Synopsis This remake of the classic horror film is set in San Francisco. Matthew Bennell assumes that when a friend complains of her husband's strange mood, it's a marital issue. However, he begins to worry as more people report similar observations. His concern is confirmed when writer Jack Bellicec and his wife discover a mutated corpse. Besieged by an invisible enemy, Bennell must work quickly before the city is consumed.
Director
Philip Kaufman
Producer
Robert H. Solo
Screenwriter
Jack Finney, W.D. Richter
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Solofilm
Rating
PG
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 22, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 27, 2017
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo, Dolby
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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