Key facts
- The 1986 film Invaders from Mars was a box office flop, earning $4 million against a $7 million budget.
- The film featured VFX from John Dykstra and was co-written by Dan O'Bannon.
- Louise Fletcher, known for her role as Kai Winn in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, stars as an alien-controlled teacher.
- Fletcher's performance is highlighted as the primary reason to revisit the film.
- Invaders from Mars is streaming on Tubi.
Forty years after its release, the 1986 science fiction film Invaders from Mars is being re-examined. The movie, a remake of the 1953 film of the same name, featured visual effects by John Dykstra, known for his work on Star Wars, and was co-written by Dan O'Bannon, who also worked on Dark Star and Alien. Despite this pedigree, the film was a commercial failure, grossing approximately $4 million against a $7 million budget. It is considered a lesser flop compared to Cannon Films' Masters of the Universe, released the following year. The primary draw for revisiting Invaders from Mars today is the performance of Louise Fletcher, who played Mrs. McKeltch, a teacher controlled by aliens. Fletcher is widely recognized for her role as Kai Winn in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and her Oscar-winning performance as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Her portrayal of Mrs. McKeltch is described as terrifying and realistic, offering a different kind of intensity compared to her previous roles. The film's plot centers on a young boy, David, who tries to convince others that aliens have taken over their town. While the focus on David is seen as a weakness, some scenes are noted for their potential influence on later films like Terminator 2. Ultimately, Fletcher's performance is considered the standout element that elevates the film, despite its narrative flaws and cynical tone compared to the original 1953 version. Invaders from Mars is currently available for streaming on Tubi.