Alien
A contract-bound space crew confronts an elegant, relentless extraterrestrial predator inside the industrial maze of their own ship.
Overview
A crew's routine mission turns into a nightmare as they encounter a deadly alien presence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- claustrophobic
- foreboding
- visceral
- late night horror
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Alien as a landmark science fiction horror film distinguished by its frightening atmosphere, claustrophobic production design, creature effects, and Sigourney Weaver’s performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Nostromo’s worn interiors, narrow passageways, and remote location turn ordinary workspaces into an oppressive maze.
The crew is contractually compelled to investigate the transmission, while the company’s hidden priorities override their safety.
The creature’s life cycle and physical intrusion into human bodies drive the film’s most disturbing imagery.
The spacecraft and moon installations feel industrial and lived-in rather than sleek, while the alien design creates a stark biomechanical contrast.
Films like Alien, and why
The Thing
shared science fiction horror, isolated spacecraft setting, extraterrestrial threat, and claustrophobic suspense
Event Horizon
shared space horror, industrial production design, body horror, and an unknowable alien presence
The Descent
shared haunted-house structure, suspenseful ensemble survival, and escalating monster threat
Movie Details
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Release Date
- 1979-05-25
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 8.2 / 10 (16899)
Cast
- Tom Skerritt
- Sigourney Weaver
- Veronica Cartwright
- Harry Dean Stanton
- John Hurt
- Ian Holm
- Yaphet Kotto
- Bolaji Badejo
- Helen Horton
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Alien about?
- A contract-bound space crew confronts an elegant, relentless extraterrestrial predator inside the industrial maze of their own ship.
- What is Alien like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Alien as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Alien violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Alien as graphic.
- What did critics think of Alien?
- Critics broadly regard Alien as a landmark science fiction horror film distinguished by its frightening atmosphere, claustrophobic production design, creature effects, and Sigourney Weaver’s performance.
- Which films are like Alien?
- Films with a similar feel include The Thing, Event Horizon, and The Descent.
- How long is Alien?
- Alien runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch Alien?
- In United States, Alien streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
