Divisive Hard Sci-Fi Revival ‘Alien: Earth’ Is the Perfect 8-Part Weekend Binge

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Science fiction fans are famously hard to please. They dislike it when a new story drastically changes something they already love, but they also get bored with retreads of old ideas. While some viewers can judge each new installment in a series on its own, it’s tough to ignore what came before, especially when the original is highly acclaimed. Regardless of whether you’re new to sci-fi or a longtime fan, one eight-episode series coming in 2025 is already generating a lot of buzz.

After a nearly 45-year run starting with Ridley Scott’s original film in 1979, the Alien series expanded to television with Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth. By early 2025, the franchise included nine live-action movies—plus video games, comics, and other related content—and even crossed over with the Predator series. While the films all had their strengths and varying levels of success with audiences, Alien: Earth was the first attempt to do something genuinely different, a move that some fans found controversial.

A New Era for ‘Alien’

At its heart, the Alien series – including Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection, Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, and Alien: Romulus – consistently tells the story of travelers who stumble upon dangerous creatures known as xenomorphs. While the locations and characters have varied across the films, the basic plot remains similar. Director Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and Alien: Covenant tried to explore the xenomorphs and their beginnings in new ways, but Prometheus was criticized for deviating too much from the established formula, and Covenant was seen as too predictable.

Noah Hawley, known for his take on Fargo for FX, didn’t want to simply repeat that success with Alien: Earth. While the xenomorphs are central to the Alien universe, Hawley also introduced the idea of artificial intelligence as a dangerous force. The eight-episode series explores the creation of new, terrifying creatures – much like the xenomorphs – and the ethical questions surrounding androids and attempts to recreate human life. The story begins with a spaceship full of strange lifeforms crashing on Earth – a first for the Alien franchise – and follows the efforts to control the resulting chaos.

Besides featuring the usual humans and androids, Alien: Earth introduced cyborgs – a new addition to the Alien universe – and entirely unique hybrids: human minds placed inside synthetic bodies.

Fewer Monsters, More Complaints


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Many dedicated fans of the Alien franchise were pleased with how Noah Hawley, similar to what he did with Fargo, reimagined the core elements of Alien into something fresh and original. Like the original films, Alien: Earth delves into questions about what it means to be human and what truly defines a monster, but explores these themes from a slightly different perspective. Unlike a typical Alien story focused on relentless chases with the creatures, the first season of Earth focused more on complex philosophical ideas, as well as critiques of corporations and capitalism, set in a future where five powerful companies have taken control of all the world’s countries.

The new series has been well-received by critics, earning a 94% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, viewers seem to feel differently, with only 65% giving it a positive score. The recent movie, Alien: Romulus, had more similar ratings from both critics (80%) and audiences (85%).

With the initial controversy fading, now is a great time for new viewers to explore the show’s intricate ideas. Those who were hesitant about its length can also give Alien: Earth another try with a fresh perspective. Despite any criticism, the series has been renewed for a second season, meaning fans will get more episodes.




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Alien: Earth Test – Dare to Face the Unknown?
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2026-02-21 05:08