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Consider a classic sci-fi horror film from the 1980s that was a remake of a 1950s sci-fi horror film with the same title. Most likely, you thought of The Fly or The Thing, correct?
Undoubtedly, because David Cronenberg and John Carpenter crafted exceptional masterpieces with their 1986 and 1982 films respectively, producing not just some of the finest horror of the 1980s, but some of the greatest horror of all time. These two films must be mentioned whenever the question arises, “Is any remake truly superior to the original?”
However, The Fly and The Thing are not the only contenders in this discussion. Towards the end of the 1980s, director and co-writer Chuck Russell, along with co-writer Frank Darabont (yes, that Frank Darabont), collaborated on a modernized, ’80s-style reimagining of the ’50s sci-fi horror film The Blob, delivering a delightful dose of pure popcorn cinema entertainment within ’80s horror. If you’re seeking more content to watch this Halloween, head over to Peacock and add this gem to your list.
Why 1988’s The Blob is One of the Greatest Horror Remakes
Similar to its 1958 inspiration, The Blob follows a group of teenagers in a small town as they combat the titular creature: a massive, shapeless, oozing blob that consumes everything in its path. If you’ve seen the original film starring a young Steve McQueen, you’ll immediately recognize some parallels in how the blob arrives in the town, the initial victims, and the unfolding of various scenes, leading up to crucial sequences set in a movie theater and the same resolution to the creature dilemma at the end.
Russell and Darabont, who worked on the screenplay together, clearly aimed to capture a certain essence of the 1950s small-town thriller for their remake, successfully achieving it by portraying a small ski town in California on its last legs, especially as ski season approaches without any snow in sight. The town’s inhabitants view themselves as part of a declining America, mirrored in the local teenagers who either rebel, feel disconnected from small-town life, or yearn to escape.
This additional layer, the notion that the town could be consumed even without a colossal alien blob, weighs heavily on the teenage protagonists portrayed by Kevin Dillon and Shawnee Smith. He’s a rebellious biker, she’s the popular cheerleader. They may not seem compatible, but when the blob invades the town, they become each other’s only ally.
Russell and Darabont also introduce a level of U.S. Government involvement in the narrative, with Federal agents appearing in hazmat suits prepared to contain the situation. Their secretive demeanor hints at undisclosed information for our heroes, suggesting potential twists and intensifying the thrill of the story. This element serves as a post-Watergate, anti-Reagan response to government that blends seamlessly into the late 1980s without overshadowing the main narrative.
What does take center stage in the narrative is the blob itself, wreaking havoc across the town with captivating, stomach-churning visual effects as locals are crushed, consumed, desiccated, and mutilated by the creature. The film’s 90-minute runtime swiftly passes by, propelled by the constant threat of the gruesome, unstoppable goo. It’s a perfect choice for a night of horror film viewing with friends, as background ambiance at a Halloween gathering, or simply for a fun evening with popcorn without delving into deeper themes of mortality or trauma.
If you’re still finalizing your Halloween movie marathon lineup, make sure to include The Blob. While it may have been overshadowed by other films, it truly stands as one of the finest horror remakes to date.
The Blob is currently available for streaming on Peacock, alongside a plethora of other chilling content ideal for Halloween.
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