Horror Highlights: THE THING EXPANDED, 1000 WOMEN IN HORROR, TOUCH ME

2026/02/24 22:01:49 +00:00 | Jonathan James

KURT RUSSELL JOINS ‘THE THING EXPANDED’ IN EXCLUSIVE SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW: "The creative mastermind team behind smash hit documentaries ‘In Search of Darkness’ and the Rondo Award winning documentary ‘Aliens Expanded’ launch the FINAL pre-order of THE THING EXPANDED with the announcement of an exclusive, never-before-seen sit-down interview with Kurt Russell who reflects on his role as MacReady in the genre-defining 1982 film, THE THING. Diving deep into the haunting and isolated world of the horror classic, director Ian Nathan joins producers Robin Block (CREATORVC), David Weiner (CREATORVC) and Josh Weiss (SYFY Wire) as they welcome fans to join the project and stake their claim at thethingexpanded.com. The last-chance pre-order for THE THING EXPANDED launches February 24 and runs until March 24, 2026.

Kurt Russell—who played the iconic role of helicopter pilot R.J. MacReady—is featured in the documentary alongside all of the film’s living cast members: Keith David (Childs), Thomas G. Waites (Windows), David Clennon (Palmer), Joel Polis (Fuchs), Richard Masur (Clark) and Peter Maloney (Bennings).

Available for pre-order now on Blu-ray and digital at thethingexpanded.com, THE THING EXPANDED features over thirty interviews—not only with members of the cast, but also with legendary director John Carpenter, cinematographer Dean Cundey, editor Todd C. Ramsay, producers Stuart Cohen and Larry Franco, and several members of Rob Bottin’s special makeup effects team. Fans have this last-chance to get their names in the credits of the film alongside John Carpenter and Kurt Russell in this cinematic legacy. The launch of the pre-order comes on the heels of the inclusion of THE THING in the National Film Registry as a means to preserve the 1982 film’s cultural and historical relevance.

“Sitting down with Kurt Russell, the immortal Mac, for a two-hour-plus interview was truly the culmination of an extraordinary journey into an extraordinary film,” says writer-director Ian Nathan. “He was everything I knew he would be and more: funny, forthright, and full of anecdotes, as well as deep insight into both the film and, of course, John Carpenter. THE THING is finally getting the recognition that is long overdue. Ignored, even derided on its release in 1982, with its recent selection for the National Film Registry, the enduring power of Carpenter’s signature movie is no longer in question. With the incredible contributions from John, Kurt, and everyone I interviewed, I like to think that with THE THING EXPANDED we have made the definitive statement on a masterpiece.”

In addition, THE THING EXPANDED contains insights from an impressive litany of Hollywood veterans and insiders such as Frank Darabont, Guillermo del Toro, Issa López, Matt Winston, Alec Gillis, Greg Nicotero, Chuck Russell, Eli Roth, Mick Garris, and Stephen Colbert.

“THE THING EXPANDED would simply not have been complete without the participation of Kurt Russell. He and the Carpenter film are a Thing-like amalgam—a package deal that goes all the way down to a molecular level,” adds producer and co-writer Josh Weiss. “And what better way to officially close out an epic, two-year production organized across three continents than by sitting down with R.J. MacReady himself?! As Outpost 31’s Chess Wizard once said: ‘Checkmate.’”"

Follow the journey of The Thing Expanded:

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1000 Women In Horror | A Celebration of Women-Led Horror - Coming to Shudder March 20th: "A deep dive into how women pioneers revolutionized horror cinema through their groundbreaking work as directors, actors and creators since 1895, leaving an indelible mark on the genre’s evolution. Featuring interviews with Roxanne Benjamin, Akela Cooper, Mary Harron, Cerise Howard, Kier-La Janisse, Nikyatu Jusu, Roseanne Liang, Annalise Lockhart, Toby Poser, Sara Risher, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Kate Siegel, Jenn Wexler and more."

Available on Shudder March 20th

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Watch the Trailer for TOUCH ME: "A wacky, wild, sensual homage to Japanese exploitation films, Touch Me tells the story of two cringe millennials, Joey and Craig, who do everything in their power to do absolutely nothing. Of course they have capital T childhood trauma, but so does everyone, so like, judge them however you like. Seriously, JUDGE THEM. One regular day, Joey’s super hot alien ex, Brian, comes back into town begging for her to forgive him and come back to his desert mansion for the weekend. With nothing better to do (and also a pretty unfortunate sewer explosion in Craig’s house), the two trepidatiously accept. Also the fact that Brian’s slimy sexual tentacle appendage removes anxiety and depression maybe helps solidify their decision. But at the house, under Brian’s veneer of healing is a sinister plot filled with murder, mayhem, and blood. Then again, maybe they can all get along in the most glorious throuple you’ve ever seen. Touch Me, is a psychosexual horror-comedy with 100% old-school practical effects, about the nature of co-dependent friendships and how far we are willing to go for a slice of happiness."

TOUCH ME is written and directed by Addison Heimann (Hypochondriac) and stars Olivia Taylor Dudley (Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, “The Magicians”), Lou Taylor Pucci (Evil Dead, “Physical,” “You”), Jordan Gavaris (“Orphan Black” franchise, “Hacks”), Marlene Forte (“Monster,” Knives Out), and Paget Brewster (“Criminal Minds,” “Community”).

Exclusively in NY on March 20, 2026

Limited Theaters on March 27, 2026

On Demand and Digital April 2, 2026