Invasion of the Body Snatchers

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Invasion of the Body Snatchers

PG

1978

1h 55m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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George Anderson

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jul 8

B+

A relentless pessimism pervades the action, and it is chillingly absorbing.

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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.

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Taylor H.

@TH0809 Jan 26

Decent plot. Great filming and special effects.

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Farah R.

@Farah Jan 17

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.

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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

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Will G

@Kingofthepixies Dec 27

Top cast at their best in an excellent remake of the classic.

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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.

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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. .

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Philip Kaufman

Director

Donald Sutherland

Matthew Bennell

Brooke Adams

Elizabeth Driscoll

Leonard Nimoy

Dr. David Kibner

Veronica Cartwright

Nancy Bellicec

Jeff Goldblum

Jack Bellicec

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81%

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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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