They Live (1988)

In Reagan-era Los Angeles, Rowdy Roddy Piper has drifted into the city looking for work. There he is awakened to a conspiracy where aliens are living among humans, manipulating them, and stealing Earth’s resources. Those who wear the special sunglasses can see the truth, which beings are actually aliens and the subliminal messages they are using to control the populace. The plot is reminiscent of The Matrix to the point where I’m surprised the ridiculous red-pillers hadn’t latched onto this film instead when they are espousing the ‘truth’. It’s quite a wonderful piece of work. The visuals between the real and false world are fun. I’m surprised Roddy Piper wasn’t more of a leading man. He’s appealing and he leads the film quite well. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a movie where the two protagonists (Piper and an equally great Keith David) brawl with each other for more than five whole minutes.