"The Thing" is a science fiction horror novella written by John W. Campbell Jr. in 1938, originally published as "Who Goes There?" The story revolves around a group of scientists in Antarctica who discover a crashed alien spacecraft and an extraterrestrial life form frozen in the ice. When the creature is accidentally thawed, it begins to assimilate and imitate the members of the team, leading to paranoia and distrust among them. As the situation escalates, the characters must figure out who is still human and who has been taken over by the alien. The novella explores themes of identity, isolation, and the fear of the unknown, making it a significant work in the science fiction genre. Its influence can be seen in various adaptations, including the famous 1982 film directed by John Carpenter.