Ridley Scott’s Alien redefined sci-fi horror in 1979 with its claustrophobic tension and H.R. Giger’s iconic Xenomorph. In 2025, Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth brings that terror to Earth itself. Premiering August 12, 2025, on FX and Hulu, the first two episodes, Neverland and Mr. October, blend slow-burn suspense, franchise callbacks, and bold new ideas. Here’s my thoughts on whether or not these episodes honor the Alien legacy while forging a fresh path. Warning!⚠ Spoilers Below!
Neverland opens with a nod to Alien’s aesthetic. The USS Maginot, a Weyland-Yutani science vessel, mirrors the Nostromo’s retro-futuristic vibe—clunky monitors, Ron Cobb-inspired sets, and Jeff Russo’s eerie score. Hawley crafts a slow-burn atmosphere, lingering on crew banter and cryosleep awakening in 2120, two years before the original film. This pacing builds dread but can feel sluggish at times..
Director Dana Gonzales’ throws in quick camera cuts during dialogue scenes within the first 10 minutes that feels disorienting. Still, Easter eggs like a Weyland-Yutani logo on a coffee mug and a crew member’s quip about “company protocol” kept my attention. The crash into a cyberpunk Prodigy City, ruled by five corporations, expands the Alien universe.
Alien: Earth weaves a Peter Pan allegory, exploring humanity and immortality. Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin), a smug trillionaire CEO, transfers terminally ill children’s minds into synthetic adult bodies. Sydney Chandler’s Wendy, the first hybrid, balances childlike wonder and strength. Her Neverland—a Pacific island facility—houses the “Lost Boys,” a nod to Disney's Peter Pan, eternal youth and Alien Ressurection's creation themes.
Some callbacks shine: a “MOTHER II” computer interface echoes the Nostromo’s AI, and a blood-eating bug recalls the facehugger. The corporate satire—five companies vying for control—feels heavy-handed, and Wendy’s reunion with her brother, Hermit (Alex Lawther), lacks slow-burn buildup, but these elements set up a compelling narrative.
The horror leans into spectacle. The Xenomorph, crafted with practical effects, slaughters Prodigy City’s elite in a brutal 18th-century-themed party. There are tense moments within thederelict spacecraft that gives off that Resident Evil vibe, with new creatures, like a tentacled eyeball monster and a blood-eating bug, and the (Shuma Gorath-esque)eyeball creature. A Jonesy-like cat in the Maginot wreckage is another Easter egg albeit a sobering one because, "Dying Cats", not cool! Humans caught in a Xenomorphic massacre, well..😅.
Yet, the slow-burn pacing in Neverland delays scares, and quick camera cuts sap tension. Mr. October ramps up, but the Xenomorph’s jump-scare entrances feel predictable. The production design, from gritty ship interiors to Prodigy’s neon sprawl, is "most impressive!" Oops, wrong franchise but they all fall under the Disney Umbrella amirite?
The cast—Chandler, Babou Ceesay as cyborg Morrow, and Timothy Olyphant’s synthetic Kirsh—shines. The cyberpunk aesthetic and philosophical depth elevate the franchise. But quick camera cuts during the first episode frustrate, and the corporate critique feels thin. Needle drops like Tool’s “Stinkfist” clash, but Black Sabbath's "The Mob Rules" is effective and very timely considering the seminal Band's Co-founder Ozzy Osbourne has passed a few weeks ago.
The hybrids and unanswered questions about Morrow’s motives promise an epic Xenomorph clash, setting up a strong season.
Alien: Earth’s first two episodes craft a slow-burn love letter to the franchise, packed with Easter eggs and bold ideas. Despite pacing issues and jarring quick cuts, the cast, visuals, and philosophical stakes make it a must-watch. So, what did you think? "Smash-or-Pass?"
