Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a 1978 American science-fiction horror film directed by Philip Kaufman and starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Veronica Cartwright, Jeff Goldblum, and Leonard Nimoy. Released on December 22, 1978, it is based on the 1955 novel The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney. The novel was previously adapted into the 1956 film of the same name. The plot involves a San Francisco health inspector and his colleague who over the course of a few days discover that humans are being replaced by alien duplicates; each is a perfect biological clone of the person replaced, but devoid of empathy and humanity. Released in the United States over the Christmas weekend of 1978, Invasion of the Body Snatchers grossed nearly $25 million (equivalent to $ million in ) at the American box office. It initially received varied reviews from critics, though its critical reception has significantly improved in subsequent years, receiving a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and also being hailed as one of the greatest remakes ever, as well as one of the best science-fiction horror films of all time. Plot A gelatinous parasitic alien race abandon their dying planet and travel to Earth, taking the form of small seed pods with pink flowers. Elizabeth Driscoll, a laboratory scientist at the San Francisco Health Department, brings a flower home. She awakens the next morning to find her boyfriend, Geoffrey, being cold and distant while putting debris into a garbage truck. She confides to her colleague and friend Matthew Bennell that Geoffrey has changed and that she fears he is an impostor. Matthew advises Elizabeth to talk to his psychiatrist friend, David Kibner, who is promoting his new book at a bookstore. While driving there, a hysterical man warns Elizabeth and Matthew of danger as a mob pursues him. He is then killed in a hit and run, surrounded by emotionless onlookers.