Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise but is actually a dark, dangerous world.
Alien: Covenant attempts to bridge Prometheus and the original Alien while exploring David's god complex, but the plotting is undermined by characters making inexplicably poor decisions and a narrative that feels overly familiar. The acting is competent with Fassbender delivering a standout dual performance as both David and Walter, but most crew members are thinly written and forgettable. Cinematography is polished and atmospheric with some striking landscape shots, but rarely transcends the visually accomplished Prometheus it follows. Novelty is low — despite the philosophical ambitions inherited from Prometheus, the film retreats to a fairly formulaic creature-feature template, recycling xenomorph sequences without adding much fresh dimension. The ending telegraphs its twist early enough that it lands with diminished impact, leaving the franchise in an awkward mid-stride position.