Alien: Earth Offers Some Decent Scares and Grand Visuals Despite Its Subpar Story
Image courtesy of FX.
By Luis Zonenberg
While we continue to look back on last year’s film catalogue, there is still a plethora of TV shows from last year worth revisiting as well. Among these was the highly anticipated Alien TV series, Alien: Earth! With the simple concept of the Xenomorph running amok on Earth, audiences grew excited to see what was in store. With the series even receiving a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Drama series, I figured it was time to look back and see if it was really worth all the hype.
The series focuses on a terminally ill patient named Wendy (Sydney Chandler) who undergoes an intense surgery to become the first human-synthetic hybrid. After adjusting to her new body, she works alongside a synthetic called Kirsh (Timothy Olyphant) to mentor a new group of prototype hybrids for the Prodigy Corporation. They reside in the “Neverland” Research Center, which is run by the ambitious CEO, Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin).
Meanwhile, Wendy’s brother, Joe (Alex Lawther), currently works as a medic for the Prodigy Corporation Security Service in New Siam. After a Weyland-Yutani space vessel crashes there, Joe finds himself in a world of terror as a Xenomorph escapes from the wreckage. To make matters worse, the only survivor of the crash is a cyborg called Morrow (Babou Ceesay) who has been tasked with retrieving the Xenomorph by any means necessary. Fearing her brother could be in danger, Wendy travels with the hybrids to rescue him before the Xenomorph finds them!
The first two episodes do an excellent job of not only generating nerve-wracking suspense but expanding the world of Alien in spectacular fashion! The addition of several different types of aliens and a rival corporation enriches the world in ways I never would have thought. The aliens, in particular, are all very unique and terrifying in their own right, always keeping you on the edge of your seat whenever they pop up on-screen.
Later episodes like “In Space, No One…” proved that it could properly balance well-crafted scares with a strong script. That particular episode expanded on the events leading up to the crash landing in New Siam, showing the growing distrust among the crew as the Xenomorph slowly grew in hiding. The episode’s clever writing and sharp direction from showrunner Noah Hawley honored the tone of the original film while expanding the possibilities of where the show could go from there.
The first two episodes proved that the films could be successfully translated to the small screen. This is why it’s all the more disappointing that the later episodes failed to keep up the momentum, dragging a crucial plot point in which Wendy discovers she can communicate with the Xenomorph. While this discovery proved to be a smart addition to the franchise, it felt severely padded across several episodes to the point where it could have been all condensed into one.
The two-part season finale even showed some potential, but oddly backtracked to the point where several smart characters made unfathomably reckless decisions. It sacrificed intelligence for the sake of advancing the story, trading it in for more scares and action-packed set pieces that felt meaningless by the time the season wrapped. The last episode left the door open for another season, teasing the ever-growing threat of the Weyland-Yutani corporation.
The overall story’s uneven execution left much to be desired, especially when it easily could have been condensed into six episodes rather than eight long ones! What makes it so frustrating is that the series showed immense potential from the start, highlighting great world-building while creating a crew of likeable characters to root for. These episodes highlighted strong writing and great atmosphere, which is why it’s disappointing that it loses these aspects as the show progresses.
Luckily, the cast did a tremendous job of elevating the written material throughout the whole season! Sydney Chandler did a fantastic job as Wendy, nailing the whimsical nature of her mind as she struggles to adapt not only to her surroundings but her new body as well. Chandler is more than worthy of an Emmy for her performance, having great chemistry with her co-star, Alex Lawther. Timothy Olyphant and Babou Ceesay are equally as entertaining to watch, providing some gripping performances that truly reflected their characters’ robotic nature.
The cinematography was consistently phenomenal, nailing the visual aesthetic of the original films while updating it for a more modern look. The long takes and superb color-grading amped up the suspense, making it feel more terrifying whenever the camera began following behind one of the characters. The photography nailed the intimate nature while showcasing grand landscapes and nail-biting pans, making it feel more cinematic at certain moments.
The high-production design was a real treat for the eyes! The distinct look of the labs and space vessels felt right at home in the Alien universe while still making it feel different than what we’ve seen before. The practical sets and real costumes for the Xenomorphs made it all the more visceral and authentic, though it also made it abundantly clear whenever CGI had to be used instead.
What separates this show from other failed horror series is that it follows through on its story and themes, even if it was poorly executed at certain times. The show at least commits to the ideas it introduces and has a great cast whose talented enough to elevate the material in ways never thought possible! While its uneven execution may be lacking in certain aspects, Alien: Earth offers enough visceral thrills and engaging characters that should satisfy any die-hard Alien fan.
All episodes of Alien: Earth are now streaming on Hulu
Rating: ★★★☆☆
