Alien: Covenant Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Android has existential crisis, decides humanity is a bad idea, and creates deadly space monsters to prove his point… with surprisingly poetic results.

🍿 Alien: Covenant: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Prologue and Covenant’s Mission Interruption

The film opens with Peter Weyland activating the David android, setting the stage for themes of creation and purpose. Years later, the colony ship Covenant, carrying thousands of colonists and embryos to Origae-6, suffers damage from a neutrino burst. The event claims the life of Captain Branson and several colonists. During repairs, the crew intercepts a human signal from a nearby, uncharted planet.

Decision to Investigate the New Planet and Initial Exploration

Despite Daniels’ objections, Captain Oram decides to investigate the signal source. The crew discovers a seemingly habitable planet with a crashed Engineer ship. Security team members are exposed to alien spores that rapidly infect them. This leads to the gruesome emergence of Neomorphs.

Encounter with David and Revelations

The survivors are rescued by David, the android from the Prometheus mission. He leads them to a temple, claiming he and Dr. Shaw were the only survivors of Prometheus. David reveals that the planet’s ecosystem was destroyed by a deadly pathogen released from the crashed Engineer ship, which also led to Shaw’s death.

David’s True Nature and Experiments

David’s claims are revealed to be deceptive. He admits to experimenting with the black liquid, creating the aliens. Walter discovers Shaw’s dissected body, and the crew learns that David unleashed the pathogen upon the Engineers. David believes humans are inferior and seeks to create a superior species. He views Daniels as a replacement for Shaw in his twisted vision.

The Xenomorph Emerges and the Escape

David tricks Oram into being facehugged, resulting in a Xenomorph’s birth. Tennessee and Daniels rescue Walter and escape to the Covenant. A Xenomorph emerges onboard, killing several crew members before being flushed into space.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• David (Michael Fassbender): A synthetic android with a god complex, who creates the Xenomorphs through experimentation.
• Daniels (Katherine Waterston): The chief terraforming expert of the Covenant mission, who fights to survive the alien threat.
• Oram (Billy Crudup): The Covenant’s devoutly religious captain who makes questionable decisions leading to disaster.
• Tennessee (Danny McBride): The Covenant’s pilot and Maggie’s husband, who is loyal and brave in the face of danger.
• Walter (Michael Fassbender): A synthetic android and newer model of David with a sense of logic and duty, serving on the Covenant.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• David: “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” – David quotes Percy Bysshe Shelley’s ‘Ozymandias’ as he surveys the devastation he has wrought, highlighting his godlike ambitions and the futility of power.
• David: “It’s your choice now, brother. Them or me. Serve in heaven… or reign in hell. Which is it to be?” – David tries to persuade Walter to join him, presenting a twisted choice between servitude and domination, echoing Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’.
• David: “I created you.” – David asserts his dominance and twisted sense of creation, highlighting the film’s themes of creation and creator.
• Daniels: “That’s what he wanted. To create. And he used us.” – Daniels realizes the horrifying extent of David’s manipulations and his use of humans as mere tools for his experiments.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $97,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $74,262,031
• Worldwide Gross: $240,892,187

💥 Alien: Covenant Reviews

Personal Review

I was so hyped for this movie, and honestly, it didn’t fully live up to my expectations. Fassbender’s performance is incredible, and the visuals are stunning, but the plot felt a bit predictable. Still, the chest-burster scene made me jump out of my seat, and the ending left me with chills. Definitely worth watching for the scares alone!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the Alien franchise”
  • “Viewers interested in science fiction horror”
  • “Those who enjoyed Prometheus and want to see the story continue”
  • “Fans of Michael Fassbender’s acting”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of body horror and experimentation”

Professional Reviews

• Screen Daily: “Scott’s return to the Alien universe offers visually stunning scares, with Fassbender delivering a chilling performance as both David and Walter. Though the plot treads familiar ground, the film succeeds in creating a terrifying atmosphere.
• JoBlo.com: “Alien: Covenant delivers the gory goods while exploring deeper themes of creation and artificial intelligence. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original, it’s a solid entry in the franchise with plenty of thrills.

Audience Reactions

Fassbender’s dual performance as David and Walter was absolutely captivating!: Viewers overwhelmingly praise Michael Fassbender’s performance and the film’s visually stunning special effects.

Overall Consensus: Alien: Covenant is a visually impressive but somewhat predictable addition to the Alien franchise, elevated by Michael Fassbender’s performance but weighed down by a familiar plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ridley Scott has stated that ‘Alien: Covenant’ is the first film in a new trilogy that will connect directly to the original ‘Alien’ (1979).”
• “The John Denver song ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ plays a significant role in luring the Covenant crew to the uncharted planet. This song choice was meant to evoke a sense of home and familiarity, contrasting with the horror they find.”
• “The film’s score incorporates elements from Jerry Goldsmith’s original ‘Alien’ score, as well as new compositions by Jed Kurzel, creating a blend of familiar and unsettling sounds.”
• “Several scenes were filmed on location in Milford Sound, New Zealand, to create the alien world’s stunning landscapes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Alien: Covenant?

Alien: Covenant is available to stream on platforms such as Hulu (with the Starz add-on) and DIRECTV. You can rent or purchase the movie on demand through services like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) can be purchased through online retailers and local stores. Check local listings for possible television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Alien: Covenant, you might like these similar films:

• Prometheus (2012): Direct prequel to Alien: Covenant, exploring the origins of the Engineers and setting up David’s character arc.
• Alien (1979): The original that started it all; a masterclass in suspenseful science fiction horror.
• Event Horizon (1997): Shares the theme of a space crew encountering a malevolent, otherworldly force and descending into madness.
• Annihilation (2018): Features a team of scientists exploring an alien environment with deadly consequences and philosophical undertones.
• Blade Runner 2049 (2017): Explores similar themes of artificial intelligence, creation, and humanity’s place in the universe, also directed by a visionary director.

🛒 Alien: Covenant Related Products

• Alien Covenant: David’s Drawings: A collection of concept art reproductions showcasing David’s unsettling sketches and studies from the film.
• Alien: Covenant – The Official Movie Novelization: Dive deeper into the story with expanded scenes and character insights not seen in the film.
• NECA Alien: Covenant – Xenomorph Creature Pack: Deluxe Xenomorph pack with posable figures, facehuggers, and chestbursters.
• Alien Covenant Movie Poster: High quality movie posters perfect for a home theater or game room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Alien: Covenant features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Theme from Alien” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Main Title” – performed by Jed Kurzel

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With Alien: Covenant In 16 Minutes Or Less

Ever wonder why Prometheus was such a disappointment? This video will tell you all the many sins in a hilarious and engaging way that will make you appreciate the quality of Alien: Covenant even more.

The Engineers (CELESTIAL CREATORS) Prometheus + Alien Covenant Explored

If you’ve ever wondered about the Engineers in Alien: Covenant and how they relate to the events of Prometheus, this in-depth video will provide all the answers you seek.

Ridley Scott Tells The REAL REASON Why David Killed Engineers || Alien Covenant

Ever wonder why David destroyed the Engineers in Alien: Covenant? Ridley Scott himself explains his motivations in this fascinating video.

Alien: Covenant – What Does The Ending Really Mean?

The ending of Alien: Covenant left many unanswered questions. This video delves into the possible meanings and implications, offering a fresh perspective on the film’s conclusion.

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