As a child of the 80s, I can vividly remember the day when “Alien” graced our local cinema screens and forever changed the landscape of science fiction and horror films. The chilling siren sound that built tension, the haunting long shots of the alien egg, and the rapid-fire climax that left viewers on the edge of their seats – it was a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling.
1979’s “Alien,” in which Kane (John Hurt) gave birth to a Xenomorph, not only introduced a unique twist to the sci-fi genre but also significantly transformed it along with the horror genre. After its release, the landscape of these film categories was forever altered. Few realize the profound influence “Alien” had on the movie industry, but its impact is undeniable.
As a longtime fan of science fiction and horror films, I can confidently say that Ridley Scott’s “Alien” has left an indelible mark on cinema history. Growing up in the ’80s, I was captivated by the groundbreaking visual effects, haunting score, and gripping narrative that challenged traditional ideas about aliens and movie stardom. The diverse cast, led by Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, shattered stereotypes and paved the way for more inclusive casting in genre films.
However, it’s only fitting that such a groundbreaking movie as “Alien,” often referred to as a “flawless entity,” delivers significant changes. Here lies the impact “Alien” made on Hollywood, science fiction, and cinematic artistry in general.
It kicked off the career of Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott had spent over a decade in production design and making commercials, but it wasn’t until the release of “Alien” that his career truly took flight. Following the success of his debut film, “The Duellists,” from 1977, Scott initially intended to direct another period piece titled “Tristan and Isolde.” However, after seeing “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope,” he found new inspiration for the vast potential in cinema, which eventually led him away from his original plans.
Reflecting on an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, I found myself questioning my sanity when considering ‘Tristan and Isolde’, especially since this fellow was making such captivating sci-fi films. It was then that I made a vow to myself: I would craft a space odyssey as iconic as ‘Star Wars’. I didn’t want to merely mimic George Lucas; in fact, I believe directing a ‘Star Wars’ film is beyond my capabilities. Instead, I set out to create what would eventually become ‘Alien’.
It’s fascinating to ponder that if the events hadn’t fallen into place, some iconic sci-fi masterpieces by Scott might never have graced our screens. The absence of “Alien” would have meant no “Blade Runner” or “The Martian”. Moreover, had “The Duellists” not underperformed financially, we may not have enjoyed his subsequent historical epics like “Black Hawk Down” or “Gladiator”. Essentially, the creation of many of Scott’s notable films can be traced back to “Alien”.
Alien brought horror movies to space
To put it simply, while “Alien” is often credited as the first horror film set in space, movies like “It! The Terror from Beyond Space” (1958) and “Planet of the Vampires” (1965) actually came before it. However, these earlier films were more campy B-movies with questionable special effects. They also belonged to a different genre, mainly slasher movies, which was popular during the time of “Alien’s” release. What made “Alien” unique was its ability to bring a realistic, horror atmosphere to outer space without compromising on the fear and gore elements that are hallmarks of the horror genre.
The movie sparked numerous adaptations within the burgeoning genre, with productions like “Pitch Black” and “Pandorum” offering unique perspectives, while unoriginal imitations of “Alien” flooded the market. Predictably, established horror series felt compelled to venture into space, even if the plotlines were questionable: Before long, we witnessed “Jason X,” “Hellraiser: Bloodline,” and “Leprechaun 4: In Space.” (Though “Chucky in Space” remains unseen, it’s only a matter of time.)
Over time, the concept of a “space-set horror” movie evolved into a recognized genre, drawing in prominent actors. For instance, Sam Neill, known for his role in “Jurassic Park,” took part in the 1997 film “Event Horizon.” Similarly, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds became part of the cast for “Life.” It’s also worth mentioning the numerous sequels and prequels to the enduringly popular “Alien” series, a space-based horror franchise that remains active.
It showed that sci-fi was more than lightsaber battles
Before the release of “Alien”, the term “sci-fi” was often associated with the vibrant settings of shows like “Star Trek” and “Star Wars”. Even “2001: A Space Odyssey”, despite its heavy themes, maintained a polished (and distinctly 1960s) portrayal of the future. However, Sally Boswell from The Paris News, who saw “Alien” when it premiered in cinemas, described it as something entirely new and unlike anything she had previously encountered. She explained that her upbringing had instilled in her a vision of space travel as sleek, shiny, and fast, so the gritty, claustrophobic atmosphere of “Aliens”, with its small, damp, hot, and dripping engine rooms, was a surprising and eye-opening experience.
In many science fiction films that came after “Alien”, the depicted worlds are often harsh, unforgiving, and filled with unexpected perils for humans. For example, “Pitch Black” showcases how humans struggle to adapt to a planet inhabited by creatures thriving in darkness. Similarly, “Gravity” illustrates the potential lethality of even the International Space Station. Just like “Alien”, these films abandoned the idyllic vision of the future from the ’60s and instead embraced a more dystopian perspective, which is evident in the gritty and grim settings of movies such as “Blade Runner” with its neon-lit cities or “Elysium” depicting squalid slums.
Previous science fiction series often imitated Ridley Scott’s style. For instance, “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” departed significantly from earlier “Star Trek” productions by becoming more somber, with key characters meeting their end and the remaining ones confronting impossible situations.
It revolutionized the design of aliens
Prior to “Alien,” the representation of aliens in popular culture was confined by the limitations of visual effects available at that time. Typically, extraterrestrials were easily identifiable as an actor wearing a creature suit or heavy makeup. Aware that he needed to break new ground in science fiction cinema, Ridley Scott turned to renowned Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger to create one of the most terrifying movie monsters ever conceived.
Gradually, the distinctive, extraterrestrial motifs of Swiss artist H.R. Giger began appearing frequently in cinema productions. The release of “Alien” marked the emergence of numerous bug-like creatures on screen, such as the Bugs from “Starship Troopers” and the Prawns from “District 9.” Upon closer inspection, it’s evident that “Alien” also played a role in shaping the design of other sci-fi classics like “Predator,” since its creators might not have considered pairing human-like dreadlocks with non-human mandibles had they not been inspired by the unsettling blend of alien and humanoid characteristics displayed by the Xenomorph.
In a conversation with Empire, as reported by Collider, the team responsible for the visual effects in the 2021 film “The Tomorrow War” acknowledged drawing inspiration from the Xenomorph for the design of the White Spikes. Similarly, the terrifying creatures without eyes and gaping mouths in “A Quiet Place” might owe their appearance to the influence of the “Alien” movie. In his interview with Empire, director John Krasinski referred to his alien creations as “an evolutionarily perfect machine,” a description reminiscent of how the Xenomorph was described as “the perfect organism” in “Alien.” This suggests that Krasinski may have been inspired by the design of the Xenomorph when creating the creatures for “A Quiet Place.”
Alien popularized body horror
Body horror wasn’t pioneered by aliens, but they undeniably played a significant role in popularizing this disturbing subgenre. Earlier films featuring graphic body horror often had limited budgets and modest earnings. For example, David Lynch’s “Eraserhead” was made for just $100,000 and grossed $7 million, while David Cronenberg’s “Shivers” earned approximately $3 million on a budget of $130,000. Despite having a higher production cost ($11 million), “Alien” more than made up for it with its impressive box office earnings exceeding $100 million. This caught the attention of studios towards body horror movies.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how the chestburster scene from “Alien” paved the way for an array of explorations within the realm of body horror in the 80s. Countless films embraced this subgenre, with titles like “The Howling,” “Videodrome,” and “Altered States” joining the ranks. Other classics such as “The Fly” and “The Thing” also emerged during this time. The decade post-“Alien” release was a golden era for body horror, with studios increasingly pouring more resources into this captivating genre. Films like “Altered States” and “The Thing” had impressive budgets of approximately $15 million each, reflecting the growing interest in these intriguing tales of bodily transformation and terror.
Even though you might not expect it from such a family-friendly brand, franchises typically associated with non-horror genres also began exploring body horror themes. For instance, the first “Star Trek” film produced after “Alien” introduced elements of body horror strikingly similar to Facehuggers. In “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan”, a scene featuring Ceti eels slithering into characters’ ears became an iconic moment that still manages to make viewers shudder today.
Alien challenged gender roles in movies
In the initial draft for “Alien”, it was mentioned that the crew of the Nostromo could be of any gender; hence, the filmmakers notably selected a woman for the role of Ripley, which Sigourney Weaver enjoyed playing greatly. Back then, she noted, women seldom had chances to portray such heroic roles. She explained to Bustle that it was quite uncommon at the time for a female character to undergo an entire film, performing challenging tasks alone, without a scene where she breaks down in tears. Since Ripley’s introduction, Weaver believes that women have gained more chances to play substantial roles in science fiction films.
Immediately, Ripley found herself among the top sci-fi heroines ever, and this set the stage for numerous others. Many actresses can trace their breakthrough in action movies back to “Alien,” which provided an opportunity for women. Charlize Theron acknowledged a significant influence from Signourney Weaver in her role of Atomic Blonde, while Jennifer Lopez mentioned Ripley as inspiration for her heroine with the mecha in Atlas.
Furthermore, the film “Alien” left an indelible mark on various other genres. As David McIntee pointed out in The Guardian, characters like Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Leela from Futurama can be seen as descendants of Ripley. He also suggested that Ripley played a role in making the Bond girls more tough-minded. If you examine the first James Bond movie released after “Alien,” you’ll notice Carole Bouquet running around with a crossbow, which was an uncommon sight for Bond girls at the time.
It changed the look of horror movies
70s horror movies generally didn’t put much emphasis on their visual style, with only a few exceptions such as “Piranha” and “The Last House on the Left”. These films were set in environments similar to ours, lacking visual flair. However, “Alien” stood out by using cinematography and set design effectively to establish an unsettling atmosphere. As Ridley Scott noted to American Cinematographer, “The visual aspects of a film are crucial; they’re not everything, but they’re significant.” Scott brought a unique artistic touch to a genre that wasn’t commonly associated with it.
Movies such as “The Terror Within” and “Outland” show signs of being inspired by the visual style of “Alien,” with their dimly lit interiors, narrow tunnels that evoke a sense of confinement, and heavy use of smoke. In fact, Peter Hyams, the director of “Outland,” has openly acknowledged that “Alien” served as a source of inspiration for his work. Just like Ridley Scott, Hyams meticulously crafted his film with precision, ensuring every detail was carefully considered.
After the success of Alien, I found myself rejoicing because it paved the way for another horror masterpiece set in a secluded location – The Thing. As a producer, I had been battling to get a studio on board with The Thing, but no one seemed keen on an atmospheric horror flick about workers stuck in a desolate frozen landscape, fighting against a lethal creature. But then along came Alien and its box office triumph. On my blog, I remembered asking my co-producer, “Do you think they’ll get it now?” Thankfully, they did!
The film gave redshirts a chance to shine
Prior to the release of “Alien,” science fiction franchises predominantly focused on captains, science officers, princesses, and space smugglers. These tales seldom touched upon the ordinary workers, like the redshirts in “Star Trek,” who were often portrayed as expendable. However, with the arrival of “Alien,” the spotlight shifted to a group of space truckers who ventured into uncharted territories primarily because they needed to earn a living. Essentially, “Alien” offered a fresh perspective on sci-fi movies, focusing on the redshirts’ experiences, and this was a revolutionary step in the genre.
Immediately following the release of “Alien,” filmmakers were keen to delve into a fresh take on science fiction. Within just two years, the movie “Outland” emerged, portraying the struggles of workers in a distant mining colony in space. While director Peter Hyams didn’t explicitly acknowledge being inspired by “Alien,” it’s clear that both films share similar roots. The primary focus is on blue-collar workers, set against a grim, industrial environment – a backdrop complete with an overbearing company that doesn’t mind sacrificing its employees for profit. This ruthless corporate entity would later become a common theme in science fiction, appearing in various works such as Omni Consumer Products in “RoboCop” and Cyberdyne Systems in “The Terminator.”
Since its inception, science fiction has consistently featured characters from working-class backgrounds such as those depicted in films like “Elysium,” where factory workers face hazardous conditions, and “Andor,” where prisoners are compelled to produce machinery for the Empire. These themes can be traced back to the influential film “Alien.”
Alien influenced countless other filmmakers
Many film directors have been significantly influenced by the movie “Alien,” and some openly acknowledge these inspirations. For example, Chris Caldwell openly admitted that he patterned his low-budget sci-fi western “Prospect” after “Alien,” particularly in terms of using practical effects. Similarly, Joe Carnahan, director of the Alaskan survival thriller “The Grey,” acknowledged to Beliefnet that he was inspired by the “Alien” series. He aimed to recreate the sensation of a group of people being pursued and hunted by an unseen danger. In other words, not just sci-fi but various genres have been impacted by the movie “Alien.”
Many filmmakers, including Egor Abramenko and Neill Blomkamp, credit the film “Alien” as being the primary inspiration for their careers in science fiction filmmaking. For instance, Abramenko, director of the sci-fi horror film “Sputnik,” recounted to Indiewire that he watched “Alien” as a child and decided then that he wanted to create something similar. In his own interpretation, the chestburster scene in “Sputnik” is replaced with an alien emerging from its host’s mouth instead of their chest – fortunately, without causing them harm. Similarly, Blomkamp admired Ridley Scott after seeing “Alien,” confessing to The Playlist that it had a profound impact on him and was the driving force behind his interest in filmmaking. Regrettably, an “Alien” movie directed by Blomkamp is one we’ll never get to experience.
It set the template for the modern movie trailer
The movie “Alien” not only revolutionized filmmaking, but it also significantly impacted the way trailers were crafted. The original trailer for “Alien” served as inspiration for countless subsequent trailers, one notable example being the frequent use of a haunting siren sound to create suspense. Trailers began employing repetitive musical cues or sound devices following “Alien”, such as the recurring ominous chord in the “Inception” trailer or the looped beat from “Hooked on a Feeling” in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trailer.
The trailer for “Alien” follows a unique narrative pattern and contains a mini storyline. Initially, it sets an eerie tone using extended, slow-moving shots of the alien egg. As the trailer progresses, it switches between various sequences, spending enough time on each to allow viewers to understand what’s unfolding. The climax is marked by a swift succession of scenes that offer fleeting glimpses into the movie’s most terrifying moments.
As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of movies, once I catch on to this trailer pattern, it seems like it’s everywhere – from classics like “The Shining” to more recent ones such as “It Comes At Night.” In fact, you’ll find that trailers for films within the “Alien” franchise also follow this approach. Take a peek at the teaser for “Prometheus,” and you’ll see what I mean. Although movie studios have overused this template, there’s no arguing that the original “Alien” did it better than anyone else.
Alien has become a pop culture phenomenon
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but marvel at how the terrifying creature from “Alien” has left an indelible mark on popular culture. In the epic battle of “Avengers: Infinity War,” Spider-Man (Tom Holland) cleverly employed a trick he learned from Ripley. Similarly, in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Ferris (Matthew Broderick) playfully mimicked the alien by faking illness with a cheerful warning that a Xenomorph was about to burst from his chest. The creators of “Firefly” even secretly paid homage to “Alien” by subtly inserting a Weyland-Yutani logo into their show.
The iconic chestburster scene, which at the time caught audiences completely off-guard, has become such a fixture in pop culture that it’s not really a surprise anymore. It was parodied in “The Simpsons” via an “Itchy and Scratchy” short. “Robot Chicken,” meanwhile, created a spoof called “Jetsons vs. Alien.” And we would be remiss not to mention the hilarious homage in “Spaceballs,” which brings back John Hurt for the perfect cameo. (After watching his stomach explode, he remarks, “Oh no. Not again!”)
The scene is even referenced in a Pixar movie, in the form of an arcade game from “Toy Story” that allows kids to whack little Xenomorphs popping out of the body of a spaceman. If the most horrifying scene in cinema shows up in a Disney movie, that’s how you know that audiences have become well and truly desensitized to it.
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2024-08-18 14:31