Michael Jackson — Thriller (1983)

The “Thriller” music video is not just a promotional clip but a turning point in the history of pop culture, after which the very concept of a music video ceased to be a secondary format. With “Thriller,” Michael Jackson proved that a music video could simultaneously be a short film, a full-fledged horror attraction, and a global cultural event.

This video did more than accompany a song — it created a new reality in which music, dance, cinema, and the artist’s image merge into a single myth.

Minimal Words — Maximum Imagery

The lyrics of “Thriller” are extremely simple in structure and serve a primarily atmospheric rather than narrative function. The focus lies not on storytelling through words, but on a visual and rhythmic narrative.

A key element is the famous spoken-word monologue delivered by legendary actor Vincent Price. His voice transforms the song into an audio horror experience, completely erasing the boundary between a pop track and a horror film.

Notably, Jackson personally insisted on Vincent Price, considering his voice to be the “perfect sound of fear” — not a scream, but refined, theatrical evil.

Why “Thriller” Is a Short Film, Not a Music Video

The official title of the video is “Michael Jackson’s Thriller”, and this distinction is crucial. Its runtime is 13 minutes and 43 seconds, which was absolutely revolutionary by the standards of 1983.

Director and Cinematic Language

The video was directed by John Landis, known for “An American Werewolf in London.” This is why “Thriller” feels like a classic horror film:

• a prologue with a false romantic setup

• a transformation (werewolf / monster)

• a nighttime cemetery

• the climactic zombie dance

• an open ending with a knowing wink to the viewer

In essence, it is an homage to classic horror of the 1950s–1970s, reimagined for the MTV audience.

The Zombie Dance as a Cultural Code

The iconic “Thriller Dance” is not just choreography, but a visual logo of an era.

Choreographer Michael Peters worked with Jackson to create movements that were meant to be:

• frightening,

• instantly recognizable,

• easy to reproduce.

This is why the dance went viral long before the internet era — it was reenacted on streets, in schools, on television, and later in flash mobs around the world.

Makeup and Zombies: A Revolution in Music Video History

The makeup was created by legendary artist Rick Baker, the same master behind “An American Werewolf in London.”

A Lesser-Known Fact

Initially, Jackson categorically refused to look truly frightening, fearing that children might be scared. As a result, the zombie look was softened:

• less blood,

• more grotesque elements,

• almost cartoon-like movement.

This decision made the video scary but not repulsive, allowing it to become truly mainstream.

Where and When It Was Filmed

• Premiere: December 2, 1983

• Locations: Los Angeles

  • Palace Theatre (movie theater)

  • East Los Angeles streets

• Budget: approximately $500,000 — a record for a music video at the time

To recoup the costs, Jackson took an unprecedented step — he released a documentary about the making of the video, sold separately. This was effectively the first commercially successful “behind the scenes” music release.

Cast

• Michael Jackson — a dual role: romantic lead and supernatural creature

• Ola Ray — the female lead

• The zombie ensemble — professional dancers rather than horror actors

Interestingly, many extras later admitted they knew they were part of something unusual, but no one fully grasped the scale of the future icon.

Religious Conflict and the Rejection of “Evil”

A lesser-known but important episode: Jackson, a Jehovah’s Witness, insisted after the release on adding the following disclaimer:

“Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.”

He feared the video might be perceived as promoting occultism. This paradox — the scariest video in pop history paired with a public distancing from mysticism — only intensified interest in the work.

Why “Thriller” Changed the Industry

Before “Thriller,” music videos were:

• song advertisements

• cheap album supplements

After “Thriller,” they became:

• investment projects

• independent works of art

• a tool for building an artist’s myth

MTV ceased to be just a music channel and became a platform for event premieres.

Minatrix.TV Editorial Opinion

“Thriller” is the moment when pop music realized its cinematic nature. Michael Jackson didn’t just make a music video — he created a template the industry still follows: image, story, dance, visual shock, and mass quotability.

If “Smack My Bitch Up” represents the anarchy and grime of the 1990s, then “Thriller” is the glamorous fear of the 1980s, calibrated down to every frame and movement. This contrast shows just how different — and equally great — music videos can be.

For us, “Thriller” is not nostalgia, but a textbook still studied by everyone who wants to make music visually immortal.