Synopsis

The commercial starship Nostromo is diverted by a mysterious transmission from a remote planetoid. Its crew discovers a derelict spacecraft containing strange eggs, and one crew member becomes host to a rapidly developing extraterrestrial organism. As the creature stalks the ship's cramped corridors, the survivors must uncover the truth about their mission and find a way to escape.

Factoids & Trivia

• Dan O'Bannon's early working title was "Star Beast." He later chose "Alien" after noticing how often the word appeared in his screenplay.

• H.R. Giger's 1976 painting "Necronom IV" provided the foundation for the creature's distinctive biomechanical appearance. Giger also contributed designs for the derelict spacecraft and the alien world.

• During the chestburster scene, the cast knew that a creature would emerge from the artificial body, but they were not told that pressurized blood effects would spray across the room. Their startled reactions were therefore largely genuine.

• Principal photography took place in England during 1978 and lasted approximately 14 weeks. The production used Pinewood and Shepperton Studios, while miniature work was completed at Bray Studios.

• The film's worn, industrial interiors were designed to feel functional rather than futuristic. That visual approach helped distinguish the Nostromo from the cleaner, more polished spaces common in earlier science fiction films.

• "Alien" won the Academy Award for Visual Effects at the 1980 ceremony.

• The film was selected for the American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Thrills" list and later helped establish a long-running science fiction horror franchise.