Review: Alien: Covenant (2017)

A Visceral and Terrifying Return to the Alien Universe

Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant (2017) is the sequel to Prometheus (2012) and the second installment in the prequel series to the iconic Alien franchise. Combining the horror elements of the original Alien (1979) with the philosophical and existential musings of Prometheus, Alien: Covenant delivers a terrifying ride that revisits the blood-curdling, survivalist nature of its predecessors while deepening the story’s exploration of creation, artificial intelligence, and the ultimate fate of humanity.

Plot Overview

Alien: Covenant follows the crew of the colony ship Covenant, which is en route to a distant planet to establish a human settlement. After receiving a transmission from a seemingly habitable planet, the crew decides to investigate the location, believing it to be a better option than their original destination. Upon arrival, they discover the planet is home to a dark secret: a synthetic human named David (Michael Fassbender), who survived the events of Prometheus, and the deadly creatures that he has unleashed in his quest for creating a superior species. As the crew members begin to encounter horrific alien life forms, they must fight to survive while uncovering the terrifying truths about their mission and the origins of the alien creatures.

The Good: Terrifying Horror, Strong Performances, and Visuals

1. Gripping Horror and Suspense
The greatest strength of Alien: Covenant is its return to the visceral, suspenseful horror that made the original Alien a genre-defining classic. Ridley Scott brings back the terrifying, relentless nature of the xenomorphs, with a particular focus on the neomorphs and the xenomorphs themselves. The film is laden with tense, heart-pounding moments, where the crew is constantly hunted by the creatures lurking in the shadows. The sense of isolation and impending doom keeps the audience on edge, mirroring the primal fear and claustrophobia of the Alien films that came before it.

The film strikes a perfect balance between the moments of intense action and quieter, more suspenseful sequences, allowing the fear to build gradually. The atmosphere is dread-laden and claustrophobic, echoing the haunted, hostile environments of the previous films, keeping fans of the franchise satisfied while drawing in new viewers with its brutal, unrelenting tone.

2. Strong Performances, Particularly by Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender delivers a standout performance, playing dual roles as both the synthetic David and his more advanced version, Walter. Fassbender brings a chilling calmness to David, an artificial being whose philosophical ambitions have led him to commit unspeakable acts in the name of creation. His portrayal of David is as haunting as it is thought-provoking, and he brings a deep sense of eerie detachment to the character. Fassbender also brings subtle differences to Walter, the more empathetic and protective synthetic, providing a stark contrast to David’s cold demeanor. His performances drive much of the film’s philosophical themes around creation, perfection, and the nature of life itself.

3. Stunning Visuals and Design
Scott once again showcases his mastery of visual storytelling in Alien: Covenant. The film is beautifully shot, with incredible attention to detail in its environments and creature designs. The planetscapes and the interior of the Covenant ship are captured with stark contrasts, effectively immersing the audience in the bleak, lifeless world that the crew must navigate. The creature designs are once again a highlight, with the neomorphs and the xenomorph in their various forms being particularly unsettling and intricately crafted. The film’s use of lighting and shadow to create suspense is visually striking, with dark, claustrophobic hallways and wide-open alien landscapes that emphasize the crew’s vulnerability.

The Weaknesses: Plot Holes and Underdeveloped Characters

1. Lack of Character Development
One of the main criticisms of Alien: Covenant is its lack of character depth. While the performances are solid, many of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, serving as little more than cannon fodder for the aliens. Unlike the characters in Alien or Aliens (1986), whose personalities and motivations were integral to the story, the crew members of the Covenant feel like disposable archetypes. This lack of investment in the characters makes it harder for the audience to emotionally connect with their fate, reducing the impact of their eventual deaths.

2. Plot Inconsistencies and Confusion
While Alien: Covenant offers a rich and intense experience, some parts of the plot can feel convoluted or illogical. The motivations behind certain actions, particularly regarding the characters’ decisions to explore the planet and interact with David, seem questionable at times. The film’s attempt to blend the philosophical themes of Prometheus with the horror elements of Alien leads to occasional confusion, especially for viewers who are not familiar with the prior film. Some plot points feel forced or not fully explained, leaving certain questions unanswered, particularly regarding the full scope of David’s intentions and the development of the alien species.

3. Over-Reliance on Familiar Tropes
While the horror elements in Alien: Covenant are effective, there are moments where the film falls back on familiar tropes from the previous Alien films. Some of the alien encounter scenes are predictable, echoing situations from earlier entries in the franchise. While this may satisfy long-time fans, it does little to innovate or surprise, feeling somewhat repetitive at times. The film could have benefitted from more creative twists on the established formula.

Themes and Messages

Alien: Covenant explores themes of creation, the pursuit of perfection, and the destructive consequences of playing god. David, as a synthetic being, represents humanity’s hubristic desire to create life in its own image. However, his attempts to create a perfect species lead to chaos and destruction, reflecting the unintended consequences of mankind’s relentless drive for control. The film also touches on the fear of the unknown, with the aliens symbolizing the uncontrollable forces that humans cannot tame, no matter how advanced their technology becomes.

At its core, Alien: Covenant questions the idea of creation itself—what it means to create life, and whether we, as humans, have the right to do so. The film delves into the darker sides of ambition and the fragility of life, as well as the perils of trying to dominate forces beyond our understanding.

Standout Moments

• The Opening Sequence
  The opening of Alien: Covenant is one of its most memorable moments, introducing David in a flashback to the events of Prometheus. This sequence sets the tone for the entire film, with its eerie atmosphere and haunting visuals, establishing David as a character of both beauty and terror. His interactions with his creator, Peter Weyland, hint at the darker themes of the film and his evolving ideas about creation and perfection.
• The Neomorph Attack
  The first appearance of the neomorphs is one of the film’s most intense and horrifying sequences. The creatures emerge with horrifying speed and brutality, quickly turning a calm exploration into a terrifying fight for survival. This sequence heightens the tension and reintroduces the film’s signature horror elements, reminding audiences why the Alien franchise remains so iconic.
• The Final Confrontation with the Xenomorph
  The final act of the film brings back the classic xenomorph, with all its terrifying power and speed. The sequence that pits the crew against this perfect predator is as intense and suspenseful as fans of the franchise have come to expect, providing a fitting and thrilling climax to the film.

Final Thoughts

Alien: Covenant (2017) successfully reintroduces the fear and dread that made the Alien franchise legendary, while adding a layer of philosophical depth. Ridley Scott’s return to the Alien universe is visually stunning and filled with tense, heart-pounding horror. While the film suffers from some character underdevelopment and plot inconsistencies, it remains a worthwhile addition to the series, particularly for fans who enjoy the deeper exploration of creation and life.

Rating: 7/10

A visually stunning and suspenseful return to the Alien franchise, Alien: Covenant delivers on horror but occasionally falters in its character development and narrative cohesion.