Alien<em> </em>is a unique science fiction franchise as it lacks a singular creator, unlike George Lucas for Star Wars, Gene Roddenberry for Star Trek, or Stan Lee for Marvel Comics adaptations. Each installment in the Alien series showcases different styles and tones based on the director, featuring notable filmmakers like Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, and Fede Alvarez. With over a decade of acclaimed television, Noah Hawley, known for Fargo and Legion, brings a compelling narrative to Alien: Earth, exploring corporate warfare’s risks and humanity’s essence amid advancing artificial intelligence.
Set two years before the original 1979 classic, Alien: Earth imagines a world where humanity’s obsession with digital consciousness has led to various forms of potential immortality, including cyborgs and synthetics. The ambitious Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin) holds power as the CEO of Prodigy Corporation, but safety in New Siam is compromised when the Maginot ship crashes, carrying a Xenomorph specimen. In this crisis, New Siam seeks help from Prodigy, which has created the first human-synthetic hybrid, Wendy (Sydney Chandler). Wendy leads a group of hybrids called the “Lost Boys” into peril, but the narrative shifts as they begin to question their true purpose.
‘Alien: Earth’ Is Noah Hawley’s Vision for Ridley Scott’s Sci-Fi Horror Franchise
A defining aspect of previous films in the Alien franchise is their focus on a “final girl,” a staple of horror cinema. While Wendy fits this description, her inherent illness transforms her into a survivor, essentially rebirthing her character. Alien: Earth features the most compelling extended cast in the franchise , allowing eight episodes to develop more nuanced characters.
Alex Lawther anchors the emotional core as Joe Hermit, Marcy’s human brother whose consciousness is transferred into Wendy; while Joe recognizes Wendy retains aspects of his sister, he is unsettled by her lethal transformation. Additionally, Timothy Olyphant brings unexpected humor as Kirsh, the synthetic managing relations between Prodigy and the Lost Boys. Despite being perceived as subservient by both factions, Kirsh harbors his own ambitions, making him one of the more unpredictable characters heading into the confirmed second season.
Franchise Legend Sigourney Weaver Gives Her Verdict on FX’s ‘Alien: Earth’: “I Can’t Believe It’s Television” [Exclusive]
Weaver praises Noah Hawley’s FX series, calling its scope “bigger than Alien.”
Alien: Earth also provides sharp commentary on themes that have been integral to the franchise since its inception. The original Alien widely stood out among space operas by following blue-collar workers left defenseless in uncharted territory, while Alien: Earth digs into the corporations that sent them to their doom. Boy Kavalier serves as a captivating antagonist who perceives himself as a deity and views human, synthetic, and cyborg sacrifices as essential for scientific progress.
‘Alien: Earth’ Is a Bold, Imaginative New Direction for a Classic Franchise
The meticulous exploration of various consciousness modes is thematically richer than anything previously seen in the franchise. However, Alien: Earth remains a tribute to earlier films, particularly in “In Space, No One…,” which revisits the Maginot crew’s massacre before reaching Earth and serves as a direct homage to Ridley Scott’s original Alien. The series also highlights the evolution of Weyland-Yutani corporation, recognizable to fans from its significant roles in both Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, which precede Alien: Earth. While Hawley’s series respects existing Alien mythology, it introduces an entirely new cast that makes it accessible even to those with only casual familiarity with earlier films.
In an age where streaming platforms continually exploit their intellectual properties for reboots and sequels, Alien: Earth represents an ideal direction for the franchise, especially following the entertaining yet familiar offerings of Alien: Romulus. Although Hawley’s first season leaves some questions unanswered and may have altered certain aspects of Alien ‘s canon that upset dedicated fans, bold choices are far preferable to merely replaying past successes. While it may be premature to assert that Hawley’s series has revitalized Alien , akin to how Andor did for Star Wars, it has undeniably injected much-needed momentum into the franchise.
