RIP Wilford Brimley. Played a crucial part in my favourite movie, Carpenter’s remake of The Thing. Blair is the first one to realise the danger everyone is in and is willing to sacrifice everyone in the station to protect humanity.

He trashes the radio and transport equipment, which leads to him being locked in a shed by the crew.

Later, when they check on him you can see a noose in the shot but he pleads to be let out. It’s a brilliant bit of storytelling, asking the audience to decide if he’s really better or if the alien got to him before he could take his own life.

Brimley took a character who could have been just a throwaway in a junkie horror movie and injected it with nuance and a good performance. They all did. It’s what elevates the movie and makes it so rewatchable.

I’d imagine alien shapeshifter horror wouldn’t be very far up your street!