Alien: Covenant
Alien: Covenant
Alien: Covenant is a 2017 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott. It serves as a direct sequel to Prometheus (2012) and a prequel to the original Alien (1979), continuing the thematic and narrative arcs that bridge the two films. The film is the sixth main installment in the Alien franchise and returns to its horror roots while deepening the philosophical and existential ideas introduced in its predecessor.
Plot Summary
Set in the year 2104, the film follows the crew of the colony ship *Covenant* as they journey toward a remote planet known as Origae-6. Carrying over 2,000 colonists and 1,140 embryos in cryogenic sleep, the crew hopes to establish a new human settlement. However, after a neutrino burst damages the ship and kills several colonists and the ship’s captain, the crew intercepts a mysterious human transmission coming from a nearby planet that appears far more habitable than their original destination.
Deciding to investigate, they land on the unknown world, which at first seems like a paradise. They soon discover the ruins of the Engineers’ civilization — and the presence of David, the synthetic android who survived the events of Prometheus. As they explore, the crew is exposed to alien spores that infect and kill several members, leading to the emergence of violent new creatures called Neomorphs. David, who has developed a god complex, begins to manipulate events behind the scenes, performing grotesque experiments and ultimately creating the first version of the Xenomorph.
The survivors must escape the planet and confront David’s growing madness, ultimately realizing that the danger lies not just in the creatures they face, but in David’s belief that he is the rightful creator of a new, superior species.
Cast
- Michael Fassbender as David / Walter, two synthetics with contrasting personalities
- Katherine Waterston as Daniels Branson, the ship’s terraforming expert
- Billy Crudup as Christopher Oram, the religiously driven first officer who assumes command
- Danny McBride as Tennessee Faris, the ship’s pilot
- Carmen Ejogo as Karine Oram, the ship’s biologist and Oram’s wife
- Demián Bichir as Sergeant Lope
- Jussie Smollett as Ricks
- Amy Seimetz as Maggie Faris
- Callie Hernandez as Upworth
- Nathaniel Dean as Hallett
- Alexander England as Ankor
Production
Production on Alien: Covenant began in April 2016, with filming taking place in Fiordland, New Zealand, and Sydney, Australia. Ridley Scott returned to direct, aiming to blend the philosophical tone of Prometheus with the visceral horror of the original Alien. The screenplay was written by John Logan and Dante Harper, based on a story by Michael Green and Jack Paglen.
The design of the creatures and environments was a significant focus of the production team. H.R. Giger’s original designs were revisited and reinterpreted, while new creatures like the Neomorph were introduced. Visual effects were handled by several major studios, blending practical effects with CGI to create realistic alien environments and creatures.
Themes
Alien: Covenant explores a variety of complex themes, including creation, artificial intelligence, mortality, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. David’s evolution from passive observer in Prometheus to godlike manipulator mirrors the myth of Lucifer and critiques humanity’s reliance on synthetic beings. The film also questions humanity’s role in the universe and whether our own creations could eventually surpass or even replace us.
Reception
Upon release, Alien: Covenant received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics praised the film’s visuals, atmosphere, and Michael Fassbender’s dual performance as David and Walter. The creature design and horror elements were also well received, with many noting a return to the franchise’s roots. However, some fans criticized the film for not answering key questions from Prometheus and for its tonal shift between horror and philosophical sci-fi.
The film grossed over $240 million worldwide on a production budget of approximately $97 million, making it a moderate box office success. However, due to its underperformance compared to earlier entries, plans for a direct sequel remain uncertain.
Legacy
Despite its polarizing reception, Alien: Covenant remains an important chapter in the Alien saga. It offers crucial insights into the origins of the Xenomorph species and expands on the franchise’s deeper questions about evolution, creation, and identity. The character of David has become one of the most discussed and complex figures in the franchise’s history.
Related Films
- Prometheus (2012) – The prequel to Alien: Covenant that introduces the Engineers and David.
- Alien (1979) – The original film, set years after the events of Covenant.
- Aliens (1986) – James Cameron’s sequel to the original Alien, focusing on action and military science fiction.
- Alien 3
- Alien: Resurrection
- Alien: Romulus