THEY LIVE

NINE Subliminal Message Buttons

A set of nine 1.25" pinback button with slogans seen in the 1988 cult film ‘They Live.’

OBEY, SUBMIT, CONFORM, CONSUME

WATCH TV, DO NOT QUESTION AUTHORITY

MARRY AND REPRODUCE, NO THOUGHT, STAY ASLEEP

‘They Live’ is a 1988 American science fiction film written and directed by John Carpenter, and based on the 1963 short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning" by Ray Nelson.

A drifter using the name "Nada" finds construction work in Los Angeles and befriends fellow construction worker Frank Armitage, who leads him to a shanty town soup kitchen. OBEY A bearded man with glasses who appears constantly in a disruptive television signal and a preacher both warn of conspiracies, and Nada discovers a nearby church is some sort of secret lab. After the church is raided and the shantytown bulldozed by the police, Nada retrieves a box of sunglasses from the church's wall, wearing one pair and hiding the rest in an alley dumpster. CONFORM The sunglasses reveal a hidden reality: the media and advertising hide omnipresent subliminal stimuli to obey, consume, reproduce, and conform. May of the elite – businessmen, cops, bankers - are actually grotesque aliens who look like animated corpses. 

The film starred Roddy Piper (aka wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Keith David and Meg Foster.

The film was a minor success at the time of its release, debuting #1 at the North American box office. It initially received negative reviews from critics, who lambasted its social commentary, writing, and acting; however, like Carpenter's other films, it later gained a cult following and experienced a significantly more favorable critical reception. It is now regarded by many as a largely underrated work. STAY ASLEEP

‘They Live’ is extensively referenced in the 2013 video game Saints Row IV. SUBMIT Keith David plays himself in a supporting role throughout the game, and a They Live-themed level towards the end of the game unlocks Roddy Piper as a combat ally.

Rock band Green Day paid homage to They Live in their music video for "Back in the USA", off of their album Greatest Hits: God's Favorite Band.

See our store for more interesting buttons - combine orders to save shipping! BUY THESE BUTTONS Click Here

Pin back on each button. Flat collet magnet strong enough to hold up an envelope, or 2-3 sheets of paper. US penny and quarter for scale. Coins (THIS IS YOUR GOD) and ruler NOT included. 1.25 inches = 3.175 cm. 2.25 inches equals 5.715 centimeters.

they live we sleep