Prometheus
An archaeological expedition to a desolate exomoon uncovers creator myths, alien biotechnology, and horrors capable of reshaping humanity's future.
Overview
A deep-space mission uncovers terrifying truths that could alter humanity's fate forever.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- foreboding
- oppressive
- visceral
- late night horror marathon
- science fiction double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's striking visual design, effects, atmosphere, and performances—especially Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender—while finding its script and unanswered mysteries uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The expedition seeks the Engineers as humanity's makers, while their apparent rejection drives the film's existential conflict.
The Prometheus, LV-223, and cavernous Engineer structures are presented at imposing architectural and planetary scale.
The crew's investigation triggers frightening discoveries involving alien substances, infection, mutation, and the threatened future of humankind.
Shaw and Holloway follow ancient clues into an extraterrestrial complex to find evidence of the Engineers.
Films like Prometheus, and why
Alien
shares cosmic mystery, biomechanical extraterrestrial horror, isolated space exploration, and existential dread
2001: A Space Odyssey
shares ambitious space science, enigmatic extraterrestrial intelligence, and philosophical questions about human origins
The Thing
shares claustrophobic science fiction horror, hostile alien organisms, and survival-focused expedition tension
Stargate
shares archaeological discovery, ancient creator mythology, and visually spectacular science fiction adventure
Movie Details
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Release Date
- 2012-05-30
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (13671)
Cast
- Noomi Rapace
- Michael Fassbender
- Charlize Theron
- Idris Elba
- Guy Pearce
- Logan Marshall-Green
- Sean Harris
- Rafe Spall
- Emun Elliott
- Benedict Wong
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Peacock Premium, Philo, YouTube TV, FXNow, Peacock Premium Plus
- 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 Prometheus about?
- An archaeological expedition to a desolate exomoon uncovers creator myths, alien biotechnology, and horrors capable of reshaping humanity's future.
- What is Prometheus like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Prometheus as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Prometheus violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Prometheus as graphic.
- What did critics think of Prometheus?
- Critics broadly praised the film's striking visual design, effects, atmosphere, and performances—especially Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender—while finding its script and unanswered mysteries uneven.
- Which films are like Prometheus?
- Films with a similar feel include Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Thing, and Stargate.
- How long is Prometheus?
- Prometheus runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch Prometheus?
- In United States, Prometheus streams on fuboTV, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Peacock Premium, Philo, YouTube TV, FXNow, Peacock Premium Plus.
