Your Weekend Binge Watch: Alien: Earth

Your Weekend Binge Watch: Alien: Earth

Available to watch on Hulu; 1 Season (originally on FX), 8 episodes, Horror

Watch Alien: Earth for some high-concept, high-execution horror with an ambitious premise, great acting, and sound writing. (And if you're scared easily - it's okay, me, too - I promise this is watchable!)

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Synopsis

In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic, and Threshold. Cyborgs and synthetics exist alongside humans. But the game is changed when the Prodigy Corporation unlocks hybrids. The first hybrid prototype named Wendy marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. After Weyland-Yutani's spaceship collides into Prodigy City, Wendy and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined.

Thoughts

Set two years before the original Ridley Scott Alien, Alien: Earth is the type of show that takes big, ambitious swings that pay off (please keep in mind as I list the following that I am big into Philosophy lol):

• a boy genius as the Peter Pan type who never really grew up, creating hybrids from children facing death and then naming them after Wendy and the Lost Boys

• an ongoing philosophical examination of identity and what it means to be human

  • versus machine or synth or hybrid and also what happens when someone interrupts the natural progression of emotional maturity

• questions surrounding power and how technology and science in the wrong hands does more harm than good

• an examination on whether immortality is really all it’s cracked up to be

• an ethical debate on the value of a life vs. the greater good (depending on your definition of ‘life’ and ‘good’)

• definitions and expectations of family, friendship, and loyalty, and what that means for decision-making

Alien: Earth might take a bit more brainpower than some of my previous recommendations, but that’s exactly what I enjoy about the experience. In addition to the ambitious swings I listed above, the casting and acting on this show was incredible (kudos to Casting Director Kate Rhodes James; incredible casting). I’ve seen adults playing kids go wrong, but I would argue that none of the actors on this show make a single misstep. Every choice made feels deliberate and well thought-out, which is a recurring theme to me for the show. The writing is intentional, the cinematography is gorgeous, and the production value is high.

Even if you’re not into all the weighty, philosophical themes and questions like I am, this is part of the Alien universe, so there’s also lots of scary creature stuff, too! Honestly, there’s been no word about a season 2 yet, and I am nervous it won’t get renewed. And I really, really hope it does. This show is truly incredible. Totally BingeReady.