The Alien franchise, a cornerstone of sci-fi horror since Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking 1979 film, has found new life with the highly anticipated television series *Alien: Earth*.
With a stellar 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 30 reviews, the show has earned a Certified Fresh badge and is being hailed by critics as the best addition to the franchise since the iconic original *Alien* and James Cameron’s *Aliens*. Set to premiere on FX and FX on Hulu on August 12, 2025, this prequel series, created by Noah Hawley, is poised to redefine the Alien universe with its bold storytelling, fresh perspective, and thrilling action.
A Return to Form for the Alien Franchise
Critics are unanimous in their praise for *Alien: Earth*, with many noting that it recaptures the essence of the franchise’s early days while pushing its boundaries in exciting new directions.
Reviewers have called it a vibrant return to form, noting that the series feels “alive” in a way the franchise hasn’t in decades.
The show embodies the best elements of the original film while introducing fresh concepts to keep the series dynamic and engaging.
Unlike Ridley Scott’s later prequels, *Prometheus* and *Alien: Covenant*, which leaned heavily into existential themes and complex lore, *Alien: Earth* strikes a balance between the franchise’s horror roots and innovative world-building.
Critics have praised Hawley’s ability to adapt the Alien universe for television, describing it as thrilling, strange, and surprising, transforming a concept that seemed ill-suited for the small screen into something extraordinary.
Expanding the Alien Universe
Set two years before the events of the 1979 *Alien* film, *Alien: Earth* marks the franchise’s first venture onto Earth, a bold departure from the claustrophobic space settings of its predecessors.
The series follows a ragtag group of tactical soldiers and a young woman named Wendy (Sydney Chandler), a hybrid with human consciousness in a synthetic body, as they confront a catastrophic threat after a space vessel crash-lands on Earth.
Hawley’s vision introduces new layers to the Alien mythos, exploring themes of artificial intelligence, corporate greed, and transhumanism. The series delves into the rivalry between the sinister Weyland-Yutani Corporation and a new player, Prodigy Corporation, which has developed technology to transfer human consciousness into synthetic bodies.
Critics have lauded this focus on character-driven storytelling, noting that the synthetic characters provide a rich narrative vein, complementing the franchise’s signature monstrous horror.
The show also delivers action sequences that surpass the scale of Ridley Scott’s original films, which were constrained by the technology and budgets of their time. Reviewers have called *Alien: Earth* a devoted fan’s dream, staying faithful to the franchise’s lore while expanding it in horrifyingly inventive ways.
A Few Dissenting Voices
While the overwhelming response has been positive, some critics have expressed reservations. A few have argued that the series occasionally feels slow, with pacing issues that prevent the story from fully taking off by the end of the eight-episode season. Despite these critiques, the series’ 90% Rotten Tomatoes score places it among the franchise’s elite, trailing only *Alien* (93%) and *Aliens* (94%).
A Star-Studded Cast and Ambitious Production
*Alien: Earth* boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Sydney Chandler as Wendy, Timothy Olyphant as Kirsh, her synthetic mentor, and Alex Lawther as CJ “Hermit,” a human soldier and medic. The series also features Samuel Blenkin, Essie Davis, and Adarsh Gourav, adding depth to its sprawling narrative.
Noah Hawley, known for his work on *Fargo* and *Legion*, serves as creator, showrunner, writer, and director, with Ridley Scott as an executive producer. The eight-episode season, set to release its first two episodes on August 12, 2025, will roll out weekly, giving fans ample time to immerse themselves in this new chapter of the Alien saga.
Also read:
- Aliens on the Horizon: Giant Manhattan-Sized Object Heads Toward Earth
- Elon Musk Claims to Be a '3,000-Year-Old Time-Traveling Alien' Possibly Adopting Various Identities
- The Internet Runs on… Lava Lamps — And It’s No Joke
- The Concept of Consciousness Uploading into Digital Form
Why *Alien: Earth* Matters
With *Alien: Romulus* (2024) reinjecting energy into the franchise, *Alien: Earth* builds on that momentum, offering a fresh perspective that honors its roots while charting new territory. Critics agree that Hawley’s ability to weave horror, sci-fi, and character-driven drama makes this series a standout, signaling that television could be the key to revitalizing the Alien franchise across all platforms.
As the August 12 premiere approaches, anticipation is sky-high. Will *Alien: Earth* live up to its glowing reviews and become a new benchmark for the franchise? Fans and newcomers alike will soon find out. For now, the Xenomorph’s return to Earth promises to be a thrilling, terrifying, and unmissable event.
