When Alien: Earth was announced, fans of the legendary sci-fi horror franchise were both thrilled and cautious. After decades of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, could this 2025 entry reignite the terror and tension that made Alien (1979) a masterpiece? Directed by visionary filmmaker Alex Garland, Alien: Earth promised to be a new kind of nightmare—one that brought the xenomorph to our own planet for the first time. The result is an ambitious, visually stunning, and deeply unsettling film that pushes boundaries but may not satisfy all fans.
Plot: The Xenomorphs Invade Home Soil
Set several years after Alien: Covenant, Alien: Earth follows a world where Weyland-Yutani’s reckless pursuit of the xenomorph has finally reached a catastrophic climax. A classified research facility on Earth’s moon was experimenting on captured xenomorph specimens when an outbreak occurred. The survivors attempted to flee, but their escape ships carried the infection straight to Earth’s atmosphere. What began as isolated incidents in remote locations quickly escalates into a global crisis, as military forces and civilian populations struggle against the ultimate apex predator.
The film’s protagonist, Dr. Eleanor Graves (played by Rebecca Ferguson), is a former Weyland-Yutani scientist turned whistleblower, now reluctantly aiding a ragtag resistance team led by Marine Captain Samuel Rios (Sylvester Stallone). As governments collapse and quarantine zones fall, their mission becomes clear: infiltrate Weyland-Yutani’s underground bio-research facility in Nevada, where the company’s executives have taken refuge—and where they might have an even deadlier secret hidden away.
The race for survival intensifies when they discover that Weyland-Yutani wasn’t just experimenting with xenomorphs—they were trying to hybridize them with human DNA to create something even worse.
A Return to Horror, with a Twist
Unlike Aliens (1986), which leaned into action, Alien: Earth returns to the creeping dread of the original film, but on an apocalyptic scale. Garland’s direction leans heavily into psychological horror, body horror, and moments of overwhelming dread. The xenomorphs are more terrifying than ever—not just because they are on Earth, but because their mutations have made them more unpredictable.
One of the film’s most terrifying sequences takes place in a crumbling New York City, where survivors navigate through skyscrapers now used as xenomorph hives. Garland uses long takes, oppressive sound design, and haunting cinematography to make every moment feel like a waking nightmare. Unlike previous Alien films, where space provided isolation, Alien: Earth weaponizes familiarity—the sense that nowhere on our own planet is safe.
The New Threat: Human-Xenomorph Hybrids
One of the film’s most controversial elements is the introduction of the hybrid creatures. While Alien: Resurrection (1997) flirted with this concept, Alien: Earth takes it further. These hybrids, referred to as “Revenants,” retain elements of human intelligence but with xenomorph instincts. The Revenants speak in fragmented, eerie whispers, often mimicking voices from their human memories, making them far more unnerving than their fully alien counterparts.
For some fans, this addition is a bold and horrifying evolution of the franchise’s lore. For others, it may feel like a deviation from what made the xenomorphs terrifying in the first place—their inhuman, unknowable nature. Regardless of where one stands, the Revenants add a unique, psychological horror element that hasn’t been explored in previous films.
Performances and Characters: Strength in Humanity
Rebecca Ferguson delivers a standout performance as Dr. Graves, a character torn between guilt over her past involvement with Weyland-Yutani and her desperate need for redemption. Unlike past Alien heroines like Ripley or Daniels, Graves isn’t a soldier—she’s a scientist forced into a battle she never wanted. Ferguson’s ability to convey intelligence, fear, and resolve makes her a compelling lead.
Sylvester Stallone’s Captain Rios, a hardened but deeply empathetic military leader, provides the action-hero counterpoint. His arc—from blindly following orders to questioning the true motives behind Earth’s military response—adds layers to what could have been a one-note role.
The supporting cast, including Charles Dance as a ruthless Weyland-Yutani executive and Anya Taylor-Joy as a survivor with a tragic connection to the Revenants, all bring depth to a film that could have easily been overwhelmed by its spectacle.
Cinematography and Special Effects: A Visually Stunning Nightmare
Garland and cinematographer Rob Hardy (known for Annihilation) craft a visually arresting film. Earth, now under siege, is depicted with a haunting beauty—nature reclaiming urban landscapes, the sky darkened by burning cities, and xenomorph nests creeping into places that once represented human civilization. The film avoids excessive CGI in favor of practical effects wherever possible, making the creatures feel tangibly real.
The xenomorphs themselves are brought to life with a blend of animatronics and cutting-edge motion capture. The design of the hybrids, with their grotesque fusion of human and alien features, is both mesmerizing and deeply unsettling.
A Controversial Ending
Without spoiling too much, Alien: Earth ends on a note that is bound to divide audiences. The final act shifts the focus from survival to existential horror, as the true scope of Weyland-Yutani’s plans is revealed. The climax is intense, tragic, and leaves many questions unanswered—setting the stage for either a sequel or a deeply unsettling conclusion to the Alien saga.
Some fans will appreciate the bold storytelling choices, while others may find the ending frustratingly ambiguous. However, one thing is certain—Alien: Earth does not play it safe.
Final Verdict: A Haunting, Ambitious Take on the Franchise
Alien: Earth is not a film designed to please everyone. It is bleak, unrelenting, and filled with philosophical horror that lingers long after the credits roll. Garland takes the franchise in a direction that feels both true to its roots and wildly new, introducing terrifying concepts while maintaining the oppressive atmosphere that made the original Alien a classic.
For fans of the franchise who crave a return to horror rather than action spectacle, Alien: Earth delivers. For those looking for a straightforward monster movie, this might not be the Alien film they were hoping for. But love it or hate it, it’s impossible to ignore.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Gripping psychological and body horror
- Stunning cinematography and practical effects
- Strong performances, especially from Ferguson and Stallone
- A bold new direction for the franchise
Cons:
- Some divisive lore changes (especially the hybrids)
- A polarizing ending that may frustrate viewers
- Pacing slows in the middle act
In the end, Alien: Earth is exactly what its title suggests—a nightmare that has finally arrived on our doorstep. Whether the franchise continues beyond this or not, it’s a chilling reminder that, in the world of Alien, humanity is never in control.
