Alien Franchise: A Resurgence with Alien: Romulus and Alien: Earth
The Alien franchise has seen its highs and lows over the years. Currently, we’re in a period of notable activity, highlighted by last year’s theatrical release, Alien: Romulus. This entry is the most significant in years, alongside the announcement of Alien: Earth, the series’ first TV show, crafted by Noah Hawley. Additionally, a connection to the franchise was hinted at in the trailer for Predator: Badlands, featuring a newly introduced Queen Xenomorph thanks to Disney’s Fox ownership. Interestingly, this new installment aims to secure its place on HBO Max amid the uncertain legacy of the franchise following the lukewarm reception of the 2017 film, Alien: Covenant.
This was unexpected. The 2012 prequel, Covenant, followed after the divisive Prometheus, which, despite its mixed reviews, established a darker, more philosophical narrative for the Alien saga initiated by Ridley Scott. With Covenant, the intent was to explore the origins of the Xenomorph and continue the suspenseful story of David, an android, portrayed by Michael Fassbender, whose experiments lead to something terrifyingly familiar. However, after a five-year gap and a series of challenges, Covenant didn’t fare well financially, earning about $74 million in the US, a stark contrast to previous installments in the franchise.
If you missed Covenant in theaters, it’s now more accessible. I actually found it enjoyable—if you’re like me and you appreciate most Alien films (with a few exceptions, of course), you might too. The story picks up after Prometheus, following the android David and scientist Elizabeth Shaw on their journey. While Covenant expands the lore, it also stands well on its own as a straightforward monster movie packed with intriguing sci-fi concepts.
When the crew, including Daniels (Katherine Waterston) and another android, Walter (also Fassbender), land, they encounter mutated creatures and the surviving android, David. The film also features actors like Billy Crudup and Danny McBride, adding layers to the story. Interestingly, it’s the only Alien film showcasing a character from a sitcom—Kenny Powers, to be exact.
Covenant seems to respond to critiques of Prometheus being too philosophical and the characters unappealing. By contrast, this film seems to lean into the horror aspect, with plenty of monstrous violence. It also subtly unpacks the origins of the Xenomorph, illustrating how David’s misguided experiments influence humanity’s fate—though it doesn’t explicitly resolve his outlook on the matter. One memorable sequence pushes the boundaries of horror, more than anything else the franchise has attempted before.
At its core is the dynamic between David and Walter, two of the franchise’s most compelling characters. Their interplay sometimes overshadows Daniels, who is almost sidelined, and feels like a secondary character in her own story. Despite this, the film generates thought-provoking imagery and commentary on humanity’s downfall. Covenant combines visceral creature-feature elements with deeper sci-fi questions. Although it lacks the polish of Prometheus, it feels more authentically Alien than the previous installment, while still offering mini-nostalgia blasts.
However, the series appears to be distancing itself from the narrative complexities of Prometheus. With Alien: Romulus seemingly following its own path, we may witness interesting twists that echo previous entries while maintaining an entertaining standalone spirit. For older fans, grappling with the idea of Alien without Sigourney Weaver, Covenant provides a satisfying mix of the bizarre and the bloody, all wrapped in a compelling story.
