Just like the “Because You Watched…” lane that pops up on your favorite streaming service, Now Playing Podcast wants to help you find the perfect companion flicks. Each week, contributor Chris Bravo brings you fresh recommends that tie in with one of our reviews.
Secret Invasion is a story about a race of aliens landing on Earth, hiding amongst the human population, and slowly taking over the world. Oh wait, that’s the plot of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). This version isn’t the first or the last in a franchise full of remakes. But, in my mind, it’s the most paranoid, the most relatable, and the most terrifying. And if the thoughts of your neighbors, your spouse, your children maybe being Skrulls in disguise terrify you, wait until you meet the Pod People.
Starring Donald Sutherland, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum, and the creepiest dog ever put to film, this movie aims to suck you into the world. It’s the late 70s, so the world is already grungy, dirty, and a little dangerous. But then you start seeing Jeff Goldblum acting funny in the mud spas, and your whole world gets thrown into a loop. At least, it does for Donald Sutherland, our “hero” in this tale. And unlike with Nick Fury and his battles against the bad Skrulls, there are no action pieces here. No, Invasion of the Body Snatchers follows regular humans up against a real secret invasion from outer space. The stakes are high, but the odds are much more dire.
For my money, this is the real secret invasion story. If you enjoyed the intrigue, the thrills, and the suspense of the world being taken over by aliens in Secret Invasion, then I think you’ll get a lot out of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978).
— Chris
