[–] RedditDead2005-2015 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Aliens/parasites:
The Hidden (1987)
Dreamcatcher (2003)
Slither (2006)
The Faculty (1998)
Demons/possession:
Event Horizon (1997)
Fallen (1998)
Respire (2011)
The parasite infestation theme is in about a dozen X-Files episodes. Also many parasite-themed episodes in Stargate SG-1 since the TV series is about the parasitic Goa'uld. I'll list them for you if you want.
[–] ArsCortica [S] ago
Thanks for the tips! I think going into several dozen episodes of X-Files and Stargate SG-1 would be a bit overkill for the project I have in mind, but I'll definitely have a look at the movies.
But the X-Files ones about parasites are spot-on what you're looking for. I can link to the Wiki pages describing the episodes if you want because I remember most of them (just not the episode #) off the top of my head, and they were excellent. Same for Stargate SG-1.
[–] FlowersByIrene 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (and its multiple remakes)
[–] ArsCortica [S] ago
I already thought of this, but the body snatchers do not actually take control of the body of their victims, do they?
Has been a while since I last saw the original movie, but IIRC they only copy the victim's body when they sleep and then kill them.
[–] SkepticalMartian ago (edited ago)
Ridley Scott's Alien doesn't really take control over the victim's body either, save for keeping the victim sedated during the impregnation process. The person still has full control over their faculties until the egg hatches and the baby alien does what it does best.
Come to think of it, the thing doesn't take over bodies either. It mimics its victims.
All the same, The Thing is pretty rad and should be watched regardless of the criteria laid out. Carpenter's 1982 "the thing" is a remake of another film called "The Thing From Another World" which was released in 1951. It was remade again (technically it's a prequil, but the plots are so similar it may as well be a remake) in 2011 by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. - a relatively unknown director. Both succeed in their mission of being great survival horror movies.