FX's 'Alien: Earth' earns praise for performances but divides viewers over tone and story direction
Created by Noah Hawley, the series follows Boy Kavalier, a wealthy industrialist who develops 'synths' — synthetic beings created from the consciousnesses of terminally ill children — including the central character Wendy, played by Sydney Chandler.
The series retains the production design and atmospheric style of Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien, while introducing new themes exploring identity, artificial life and corporate competition.
Much of the narrative contrasts the controlled environment of Neverland, the synths' home, with the broader dystopian setting familiar to the franchise.
Online discussion has shown a range of perspectives. Some viewers have commented positively on the performances, particularly Chandler's portrayal of Wendy, and on the visual continuity with earlier Alien films.
Others have expressed mixed views on the inclusion of Peter Pan motifs, noting they shift the focus from the Xenomorph-based narrative.
Critics have also discussed the pacing, with some describing it as measured and thematic, while others preferred a faster, more suspense-driven approach.
The series' emphasis on questions of identity and body occupation has been seen by some as an expansion of franchise ideas, while others consider it a departure from the series' traditional focus on survival horror.
Alien: Earth is currently airing weekly on FX and streaming on Hulu, with its reception likely to continue developing as the season progresses.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Spoiler alert: 'Alien: Earth' lands on streaming
A return to one of cinema's most enduring sci-fi horror franchises has sparked fierce debate among fans and critics alike. Alien: Earth, the latest entry in the four-decade-old saga, premiered this week to a mixture of glowing praise and scathing condemnation. Set in the year 2120, the film shifts the action from deep space to Earth for the first time. When a mysterious alien vessel crashes into a densely populated city, a young womanher consciousness transferred into a synthetic bodyjoins an unlikely team of "child-minded" synthetics and combat troops to investigate. Their mission reveals a collection of hostile alien lifeforms capable of threatening the entire planet, forcing humanity into a desperate fight for survival. Show Creator Noah Hawley delivers a high-budget production steeped in visual homage to Ridley Scott's 1979 original. Several reviewers lauded the meticulous set design, atmospheric lighting, and practical effects, noting the film "looks every bit the prestige sci-fi blockbuster." Fans also praised the expanded world-building, with its corporate dystopia, synthetic rights debates, and new alien variants. However, much of the commentary has been far less forgiving. Longtime franchise followers accuse the film of straying too far from the claustrophobic tension and grounded logic of its predecessors. "It looks beautiful, but characters make baffling choices and tension is sacrificed for spectacle," one online reviewer wrote. Others took aim at what they saw as a diluted horror element and a storyline leaning towards teenage adventure over adult dread. Industry critics remain equally split. Some hail it as an "instant sci-fi classic" and the boldest shake-up to the series since Aliens (1986), while detractors brand it "franchise-wrecking" and "a flashy betrayal of the Alien legacy." With studio executives already hinting at a potential sequel, the series' polarising reception may prove as much a talking point as its on-screen horrors.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Disney to merge Hulu into Disney+ by 2026 as $30 bundle sparks online debate
Disney to merge Hulu into Disney+ by 2026 as $30 bundle sparks online debate Disney has confirmed it will merge Hulu into Disney+ by 2026, officially ending Hulu's standalone app and consolidating the company's streaming platforms. The announcement has fueled intense debate online, with reactions focusing on both the content changes and the cost of Disney's bundle deal. $30 for 3 streaming services with no ads, ability to stream 2 devices and 30 downloads?? That's a steal. — 💕 Doll Face✨ (@smoke_nd_pearlz) August 13, 2025 3 streaming services for $30 is a good deal — Mutual Combat (@UnkLeek_) August 13, 2025 30 for three streaming services and no ads? Whats the issue? 😭 — Amir (@PrinceAmir55) August 13, 2025 The merger will combine Hulu's extensive library—including hit TV series and more mature programming—with Disney+'s family-friendly catalog. Proponents believe this integration will make Disney+ a stronger competitor to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video by offering a more diverse range of shows and films in one place. However, critics worry the move could blur Disney+'s brand identity and alienate viewers who value Hulu's independent image. There are also concerns about how adult content will be presented within Disney+ and whether existing parental controls will be expanded. One of the most talked-about aspects of the announcement is the $30 monthly ad-free bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Some subscribers praise it as a cost-effective solution—offering offline downloads, multi-device streaming, and significant savings compared to paying separately. Others argue that the price is still steep, particularly for households that don't watch all three services. The change is expected to streamline subscriptions, eliminating the need to switch between apps. Still, many online commenters remain divided over whether the bundle represents genuine value or a push toward higher long-term costs. With the merger set for 2026, Disney faces the challenge of uniting two distinct brands while keeping both affordability and audience satisfaction in focus.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
New ‘Only Murders in the Building' season drags stars into deadly mob plot
Hulu has dropped the first full trailer for season five of Only Murders in the Building, and the stakes have never been higher for Charles, Oliver, and Mabel. Premiering on 9 September with three back-to-back episodes, the new season opens with the suspicious death of the Arconia's beloved doorman Lester, played by Teddy Coluca. While the building's residents are quick to label the death an accident, the murder-solving trio are not convinced. As they dig deeper, their investigation bursts beyond the familiar corridors of the Arconia and into the shadowy underbelly of New York City. The case leads them to a dangerous collision course with the Russian mob and a web of secrets linking billionaires, mobsters, and the most mysterious tenants in their midst. According to Hulu's official synopsis, the series will explore a darker side of New York, where old-school crime families struggle to retain control while newer and more dangerous players rise to power. For Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, it is a world far removed from quirky amateur sleuthing, pulling them into dangerous territory with every new clue. Season five boasts an all-star returning cast including Meryl Streep, Nathan Lane, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Michael Cyril Creighton, and Richard Kind. New faces joining the mystery include Renée Zellweger, Christoph Waltz, Keegan-Michael Key, Logan Lerman, Téa Leoni, Beanie Feldstein, Dianne Wiest, and Jermaine Fowler, adding fresh intrigue to the already complex world of the show. Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, Only Murders in the Building has become one of Hulu's most celebrated series, blending humour, suspense, and a star-studded ensemble. With its mob twist and glittering lineup, season five promises to be its most gripping chapter yet, keeping fans guessing until the very end.
