Wikimedia Commons/The Thing 1982 Celebrity Kurt Russell reveals the true meaning behind The Thing's iconic ambiguous ending, explaining how paranoia defines the 1982 horror classic. May 6, 2026 AceShowbiz - Kurt Russell has finally explained the real meaning behind the enigmatic ending of the 1982 horror classic, The Thing. When the film originally premiered, it faced mixed to negative reviews from critics, but over time it has evolved into a celebrated cult classic. Based on the 1938 novella Who Goes There by John W. Campbell Jr.