Michael Jackson's Thriller is a short film for Michael Jackson's song of the same name and it became an instant sensation around the globe. It was directed by John Landis, written by Landis and Jackson, and released on December 2, 1983. The music video takes inspiration from Horror and Supernatural titles.
Plot[]
In a 1950s setting, Michael Jackson and a young woman (Ola Ray) run out of gas while driving in a wooded area. They walk into the forest and Michael asks her to be his girlfriend. As she accepts, he warns her that he is "not like other guys", before convulsing in agony as he transforms into a werecat, and attacks her.
The scene shifts to the present-day, revealing the 1950's setting to be part of a horror movie called Thriller , wherein Michael and his girlfriend are watching in a theater. She leaves, scared by the film, despite Michael telling her that it's only a movie. As they walk down a street, Michael teases her by performing the verses of "Thriller". They soon pass a graveyard, where in the undead rise from their graves as Vincent Price performs his lines. The couple are surrounded and Michael becomes a zombie. He and the horde dance to the song.
After a few more dances, Michael and the zombies chase the girlfriend, who flees into an abandoned house. Despite barricading herself indoors, the zombies overwhelm her as Michael Jackson reaches for her throat wherein she screams. The girlfriend wakes up, realizing it was only a nightmare and that Michael simply took her to his house. He then offers to take her home and she agrees. As they leave, Michael turns to the camera and grins, revealing his werecat eyes, as Vincent Price laughs.
Cast[]
- Michael Jackson: Himself/The Thriller
- Ola Ray: Michael's Girlfriend
Budget[]
- $500,000
Running time[]
- 13 minutes and 42 seconds
Box office[]
- Sales: 900,000
Trivia[]
- At the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, Thriller won the awards for Viewers Choice, Best Overall Performance and Best Choreography, and was nominated for Best Concept Video, Best Male Video and Video of the Year.
Gallery[]
