The tanker space vessel Nostromo receives a distress signal from a nearby planet and proceeds with a rendezvous. But once there, the group discovers a most vicious alien lifeform hellbent on its own survival...by eliminating its guests one by one.

Owes much to past monster on the loose pictures such as It! The Terror From Beyond Space (1958) and Howard Hawks' The Thing (1951), not to mention Bava's chilling and atmospheric Planet of the Vampires (1965).

Director Scott's hand is confident here, crafting a thrilling interstellar horror with a powerful performance by spitfire heroine Weaver.

The white knuckle climax is a perfect capper. Giger's unique alien design is perfect, while not surprisingly ALIEN took home an Academy Award for its visual effects.