The universe is massive, and it’s safe to bet that humans aren’t the only ones out there. Plenty of filmmakers have played with this idea, sometimes making us laugh like in “Men in Black,” sometimes making us marvel at the vastness of space in famous franchises like “Star Wars” and “Star Trek.” However, none of them quite nailed it like Ridley Scott did back in 1979. “Alien” is often hailed as a pivotal moment in the evolution of the horror and science fiction genres. Ridley Scott transformed the spacecraft into a claustrophobic, haunted house. The film also offered a critique of corporate greed and the dehumanizing effects of technology.
Alien (1979) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Why did the crew agree to investigate the signal?
The story starts on a commercial spaceship called the “Nostromo,” carrying a crew including Ellen Ripley, Dallas, and a few others. The Nostromo’s usual gig is hauling raw materials from one place to another. They’re on their way back home when they have to make a sudden detour, thanks to “Mother,” the ship’s super-smart AI. Mother is programmed to change the mission if something important arises, and that’s precisely what happens.
The AI picks up a mysterious signal and orders the crew to check it out. Most of the crew isn’t thrilled about this unexpected pit stop. After all, they’re just a bunch of commercial haulers, not explorers or soldiers, but when they learn that ignoring Mother’s orders means losing their pay and possibly their jobs, they grudgingly agree to follow through.
The crew tracks the signal to a small moon and lands there, unknowingly making their lives’ biggest and final mistake. This moon has gravity similar to Earth’s, strong enough that they can walk around easily. But Nostromo suffered some damage during the landing, leaving the crew stranded for at least 25 hours. While the tech team scrambles to get the ship back in working order, the rest of the crew decides to explore the moon and find the source of the mysterious signal.
As they go out, they come across a massive, arc-like structure that looks like an alien ship. Inside, they find strange, gigantic equipment and the remains of a vast alien creature with its chest blown open as if something had burst out from inside. Kane stumbles upon a cavern filled with what looks like alien eggs, lots of them. By now, it’s clear that the signal they picked up wasn’t a cry for help. It was a warning, probably meant to keep anyone from ever landing on this moon.
What happened to Kane?
Following the AI’s orders to investigate the signal, the crew unknowingly signed their death warrant. It’s becoming painfully clear that none of them will make it out alive. Kane is the first to fall victim when he’s attacked by an alien creature that latches onto his face. When they finally get his helmet off, they find a parasite clinging to his head like a mask.
The parasite has put Kane into a coma, paralyzing him while feeding him just enough oxygen to keep him alive so it can continue feeding on him. Not to mention, this thing has acid for blood, strong enough to burn through anything, even the ship’s rigid hull. In other words, this parasite has a robust defense mechanism, making it nearly impossible to deal with, no matter what the crew tries.
Eventually, the parasite is separated from Kane, and Ripley urgently begs Dallas, the captain, to get rid of it before it puts everyone in danger. Ash, the science officer, shuts that idea down fast and insists on keeping the parasite for further study. He says this is their first contact with an extraterrestrial species, and it would be foolish to kill rather than analyze it.
As for Kane, he miraculously pulls through, but his memory is spotty at best, with only bits and pieces of what happened to him coming back. Just when the crew starts to think they’re in the clear, disaster strikes during dinner. Another alien parasite bursts out of Kane’s chest, killing him instantly. It becomes clear that the creature that was attached to Kane’s face had laid its egg inside him.
How did the crew plan to kill the alien?
After the small alien creature escapes following Kane’s gruesome death, the crew splits into teams of three to hunt it down before it can do any more damage. Dallas even designs a unique tracker to help with the search. What they don’t realize is that this “little” alien has grown fast. It’s now a fully grown Xenomorph, standing 8 feet tall, with razor-sharp claws, teeth, and acid for blood.
Brett is the next to fall, meeting his end while chasing after the ship’s cat, Jones. Then, Dallas, the captain, also disappears, and the crew assumes the worst. With the situation spiraling out of control, they realize their only shot at survival is to kill the creature. The best plan they can devise is to blast the Xenomorph into space using one of the airlocks because keeping this monster on board isn’t an option, no matter what Ash says.
What is Special Order 937?
Ripley is desperate to save what’s left of the crew. So she turns to the ship’s AI to get permission to exterminate the alien that’s been picking them off one by one. But the AI orders her to stick to the mission and bring the Xenomorph back home. This is when Ripley learns about Special Order 937, which is a last-minute directive from the company instructing Ash to make sure that the Xenomorph makes it back—no matter the cost. As for the crew, they’re easily replaceable.
The company doesn’t care about their lives because they can always hire new workers. Ripley also finds that Ash isn’t a human but an android programmed to follow the company’s orders without question. When Ripley discovers the truth, Ash tries to kill her, but the other crew members save her. Mother, the ship’s AI, has already rerouted Nostromo, so they’re no longer heading back to Earth. With no other options left, Ripley reveals that she will blow the ship with the Xenomorph in it.
Alien (1979) Movie Ending Explained:
Does anyone survive the alien massacre?
The crew makes preparations to blow the ship and make their escape in the lifeboat, but the Xenomorph, one by one, hunt them down until Ripley is the only one left alive. Ripley finds that the Xenomorph has kept Dallas alive to use him as a host for its eggs, planning to reproduce more of its deadly kind. After freeing Dallas from his pain and suffering, Ripley initiates the self-destruct countdown and runs for the shuttle. But the alien, too, manages to sneak aboard with her. As the film nears its end, Ripley manages to blast the Xenomorph into deep space.
Afterward, Ripley records her log, recounting the nightmare that has befell her crew.
Alien (1979) Movie Themes Analyzed:
Ridley Scott’s “Alien” (1979) is more than just a terrifying sci-fi monster movie; it’s a profound exploration of survival, trust, and the unknown. Set aboard the commercial spaceship Nostromo, the film follows a crew of space truckers who discover a mysterious alien egg on a desolate moon. What unfolds is a heart-pounding game of cat and mouse as a deadly creature emerges from the egg and begins to hunt them down one by one.
Beyond the surface-level thrills, “Alien” delves into the complexities of human nature when faced with extreme danger. The crew’s decisions, often driven by fear and desperation, ultimately lead to their downfall. Ripley, the film’s resourceful and no-nonsense heroine, learns the hard way that trusting her instincts and adhering to protocol are crucial for survival in the face of the unknown.
The alien itself serves as a powerful metaphor for the unknown, the uncontrollable, and even death itself. Its relentless pursuit of the crew symbolizes the inevitability of our own mortality. The creature’s otherworldly appearance and unpredictable behavior evoke a sense of dread and existential terror.
The film’s claustrophobic setting aboard the Nostromo further amplifies the tension and psychological horror. The crew’s isolation and vulnerability make their encounters with the alien even more terrifying. The sense of confinement and entrapment mirrors the human condition, as we often feel trapped by our circumstances and the limitations of our existence.
“Alien” is a masterclass in suspense and horror, but it’s also a thought-provoking exploration of universal themes. The film’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to resonate with audiences on a deep emotional level. Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi, horror, or simply looking for a thrilling cinematic experience, “Alien” is a must-watch.
Read More: Aliens (1986) Movie Ending Explained & Themes Analyzed: Did Ripley Save Her Surrogate Daughter?
Alien (1979) Movie Trailer:
Alien (1979) Movie Links: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia, Letterboxd
Cast: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto
Alien (1979) Movie Released on May 25, 1979, Runtime: 1h 57m, Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror
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