Whether or not you’re a science-fiction fan, you’ve likely heard of the movie Alien. The film revolutionized the genre and achieved acclamation that few have attained. It even launched an ever-growing franchise, which includes the upcoming Alien Earth. Instead of the usual movie, this new installment will be a prequel streaming series. It’ll still feature a group of individuals facing off against the near-unstoppable Xenomorphs. Other than that, what unique twists will we see in the first-ever Alien show?
Exploring the First Alien Movie
Alien Earth proceeds the 1979 Alien movie directed by Ridley Scott and starring Sigourney Weaver. The film takes place in 2122 and focuses on the crew of the spaceship Nostromo. They’re on their way to Earth when they discover a signal from an unfamiliar craft. After locating and exploring the vessel, they find a chamber of unusual eggs. One hatches and unleashes a small creature that attaches itself to a crewmate’s face. The critter dies afterward but manages to impregnate the victim with a baby.
Later, it violently bursts from the crewmate’s chest, and everyone attempts to catch the creature. Unfortunately, the newborn soon matures into a killing machine that picks off the team. Weaver’s character, Ripley, eventually takes command and concludes that they must kill the monster. Things become complicated when they learn someone has orders to bring it to Earth. They manage to subdue the traitor but learn that the creature is nearly impossible to defeat. They realize their only option is to self-destruct the Nostromo with the murderous beast onboard.
Enter the Universe of the Franchise
Alien achieved box office success worldwide and acquired a massive following. It won various accolades, including three Saturn Awards, a Hugo Award, and an Academy Award. As the years passed, the movie became an iconic pillar in science fiction. It would influence future films of the same genre and others. One of its biggest triumphs was being accepted into the National Film Registry. In 2008, the American Film Institute labeled Alien the seventh-best sci-fi flick.
This masterpiece spawned additional movies, establishing a franchise centered around its signature antagonist, the Xenomorphs. The first installments were Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection from the 80s and 90s. Two crossover films with the Predator series hit the screen during the early 2000s. Following them came a 2012 prequel and a sequel five years later. The latest chapter, Alien: Romulus, debuted as a 2024 midquel before Aliens. Alien Earth will follow this route, expanding and enriching the lore.
Prepare for Alien Earth
Two years before the initial film, the events of Alien Earth begin with a spacecraft. It crashes onto Earth and unleashes a terror the planet has never experienced. Only a ragtag band of unlikely heroes stands in the way of this impending doom. A part of this assembly is Wendy, an adult meta-human hybrid with a child’s consciousness. Mentoring her about her unique situation is the synth human scientist Kirsh. Rounding out their group is a young medic from a private corporate army named Hermit.
The threat they must deal with is the Xenomorphs, but there’s a key difference. Wendy and the others contend with the murderous extraterrestrials in our world. The show’s director, Noah Hawley, stated that seeing one in Earth’s wilderness would be chilling. Another prominent aspect of Alien Earth will be its focus on the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. This subplot will primarily focus on the industry’s efforts to create robotic life. Despite these developments, the show sadly won’t fill the gaps within the Alien timeline.
Final Thoughts
Alien Earth sounds like an intriguing series with much potential for action and horror. Besides the two Alien vs. Predator films, I haven’t seen the Alien movies. It was because I’d never had the opportunity to see them. This show has caught my attention and might be a good starting point. Not just for myself but for those who haven’t experienced this franchise yet. Either way, Alien Earth will premiere on FX on Hulu in Summer 2025.
