by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
Even though I’m not usually here for Hollywood’s nostalgia trips (seriously, give us some new ideas), I still had pretty high expectations when I heard we were going back to the Alien universe, but this time on the small screen. The Alien franchise has had its fair share of highs and lows, but Alien: Earth thankfully falls into the “high” category. It’s ambitious, eerie, and a bold expansion of a world that’s been terrifying audiences since 1979.
Set two years before the original Alien, the story begins when the space vessel Maginot crash lands on Earth, bringing with it a deadly threat. At the center of it all is Wendy (Sydney Chandler), a young hybrid, who — along with others — must face the horrors that follow. What’s refreshing is how this series shifts away from the usual dark, isolated void of space, and plants the chaos right here on Earth. The dangers feel closer, rawer, and, honestly, scarier.
The series doesn’t waste time with a slow burn. Right from the start, it drops you into the action, yet it still manages to weave in a layered story across its eight episodes. Familiar franchise elements return — synths, cyborgs, and the looming presence of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation — but Alien: Earth also pushes new ground. We’re introduced to the disturbing concept of hybrids and “Lost Boys,” children whose consciousness has been uploaded into synthetic bodies. This idea alone carries enough creep factor to rival the Xenomorphs.
The standout Episode Five — “In Space, No One…” takes us back to space in a flashback that reveals the root cause of the downfall. It feels like stepping onto the Nostromo again, surrounded by a familiar crew — but this time with even more creepy crawlers than you could imagine. The eye with tentacles steals the spotlight as the true MVP, constantly proving itself smarter than the humans around it. The whole episode doubles as a reminder of why we should never tamper with things we don’t fully understand.
Of course, no Alien story is complete without greedy corporations playing God. This time, Weyland-Yutani has competition in the form of the Prodigy Corporation, led by its smug, overzealous CEO Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin). He’s the kind of character you’ll absolutely despise, the perfect embodiment of hubris. And by the end of the season, you’re practically begging for his downfall.
The cast is strong across the board. Babou Ceesay stands out as Marrow, the security officer of the Maginot who balances stone-cold determination with moments of vulnerability in flashbacks. Timothy Olyphant brings his trademark stoicism to Krish, Prodigy’s synthetic scientist and Wendy’s mentor — his loyalties remain murky, and that ambiguity makes him fascinating to watch. Then there are the Lost Boys, whose performances sell the unnerving contrast of children’s consciousness in adult synthetic bodies, and we slowly realize they’re far more dangerous than anyone expects.
By the finale, all hell breaks loose in true Alien fashion, leaving just enough chaos and unanswered questions to demand another season. And I really hope we get it. Alien: Earth proves this franchise still has plenty of terrifying life left in it.
Rating: Loved It
Alien: Earth is currently streaming on Hulu
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