Picture this: a small Midwestern town, seemingly untouched since the Eisenhower era, basking under an eternally sunny sky. Now, picture bug-eyed aliens wearing unconvincing human disguises walking amongst the picket fences. That's the wonderfully peculiar world of Strange Invaders (1983), a film that often feels like a forgotten reel found tucked away behind the Gremlins and Ghostbusters tapes at the local video store. It didn't quite achieve blockbuster status, earning around $6.4 million against a $5.5 million budget, but it’s a delightful slice of 80s sci-fi nostalgia that deserves a revisit.
Directed by Michael Laughlin (who also gave us the equally offbeat 1981 slasher Strange Behavior), and co-written by Laughlin with a young Bill Condon (who would later go on to write/direct acclaimed films like Gods and Monsters and Dreamgirls), Strange Invaders wears its love for 1950s B-movie creature features proudly on its sleeve. It’s less a parody and more an affectionate, slightly skewed homage, filtered through an early 80s lens.
### A Trip Back to Alien-Occupied Illinois
The premise kicks off when Columbia University entomology professor Charles Bigelow (Paul Le Mat, bringing his likable, slightly befuddled charm familiar from American Graffiti) learns his ex-wife Margaret (Diana Scarwid) has returned to her eerily unchanged hometown of Centerville, Illinois, for her mother's funeral. When she vanishes, Charlie follows, bringing their young daughter Elizabeth along for the ride. What he discovers is a town populated entirely by aliens who landed 25 years prior, wiped out the original inhabitants, and assumed their identities, waiting... for something. They haven't aged, their clothes are pristine 50s fashion, and their attempts at blending in are just slightly off. It's a fantastic visual concept – the clash between the idyllic, preserved 50s setting and the creeping wrongness underneath.
Charlie escapes Centerville with his daughter (who might be more than she seems) and seeks help, eventually teaming up with Betty Walker (Nancy Allen, perfectly cast after memorable roles in Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill and Blow Out), a tabloid journalist hungry for a real scoop. Allen brings a fantastic energy to the film, grounding some of the weirder elements with her sharp, cynical performance. Their journey takes them from seeking help from a wonderfully eccentric government agent (Wallace Shawn in a brief but memorable cameo) to confronting the extraterrestrial truth.
### More Homage Than Horror
What makes Strange Invaders so endearing is its unique tone. It flirts with horror – the initial reveal of the aliens and their vaporizing ray guns has a genuine creepiness – but it leans more heavily into quirky comedy and sci-fi adventure. It’s not laugh-out-loud funny, aiming instead for a gentle, often visual humor derived from the aliens' awkward attempts at humanity and the clash of eras. Think Invasion of the Body Snatchers by way of Norman Rockwell, with a dash of The Twilight Zone.
The film consciously mimics the look and feel of 50s sci-fi, not just in the Centerville sequences, but also in the design of the aliens themselves. Created by the talented Burman Studio (known for work on films like The Thing and Cat People), the 'true form' aliens are wonderfully retro – big heads, large black eyes, spindly limbs – a deliberate throwback rather than an attempt at cutting-edge realism for 1983. Even the flying saucer effects have a charming, almost model-like quality that feels perfectly in sync with the film's inspirations. This dedication to a specific aesthetic is one of its strongest suits.
### Retro Fun Facts: Behind the Invasion
- Part of a Trilogy That Wasn't: Strange Invaders was intended as the middle chapter of Michael Laughlin's "Strange Trilogy," following Strange Behavior (1981). The third film, planned as The Adventures of Philip Strange, sadly never materialized.
- Condon's Early Days: This was one of Bill Condon's earliest screenwriting credits, showcasing a knack for genre blending that would serve him well later in his career.
- Visual Flair: The distinct visual style owes a lot to cinematographer Louis Horvath and production designer Susana Ramírez; they really nailed the 'preserved 1950s' look of Centerville.
- Familiar Faces: Keep an eye out for cameos and small roles from actors like Louise Fletcher (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and Kenneth Tobey, a veteran of actual 50s sci-fi classics like The Thing from Another World (1951) – a very deliberate nod to the film's roots.
- Musical Mood: The score by John Addison (an Oscar-winner for Tom Jones) effectively balances the whimsical, the mysterious, and the occasionally suspenseful moments.
### Still Worth Beaming Up?
Strange Invaders isn't perfect. The pacing occasionally lags, and some plot threads feel a little underdeveloped. It sometimes struggles to fully reconcile its comedic and suspenseful elements, leaving it feeling slightly uneven. But its charm far outweighs its flaws. It captures a specific kind of earnest, imaginative filmmaking that feels very much of its time – ambitious in concept, even if the execution isn't always seamless.
For those of us who haunted video store aisles in the 80s, stumbling upon a quirky gem like this was part of the magic. It wasn't the mega-hit everyone talked about, but it had character, a unique visual identity, and a genuine affection for the films that came before it. Watching it now evokes that same feeling – rediscovering something fondly remembered, or perhaps discovering a delightful oddity for the first time. It’s a reminder that not every alien encounter needs to be terrifying or world-shattering; sometimes, it can just be... strange. And strangely wonderful.
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Justification: Strange Invaders earns a solid 7 for its sheer imaginative charm, successful visual homage to 50s sci-fi, likable performances from Paul Le Mat and Nancy Allen, and its uniquely quirky tone. While uneven pacing and a slightly underdeveloped plot hold it back from classic status, its distinct personality, affectionate spirit, and memorable retro visuals make it a highly enjoyable cult favorite that perfectly embodies the spirit of finding hidden treasures on VHS.