Best Deaths in the Alien Movies

***Spoiler Alert***

There have been a lot deaths in the past 45 years, between 7 movies in the Alien franchise. I excluded the two vs. The Predator due to time constraints, but it feels like those movies should have their own list anyway.

It may seem a bit morbid to cheer on death scenes, but who doesn’t love a great villain, or a great hero, depending where your love for the Xenomorphs lie. Besides, some knucklehead characters definitely deserved to have their faces melted off.

Every fan has their favorites, but these are my picks for most memorable deaths in th Alien Franchise:

10. Ripley (Alien 3)

Picking up immediately after the sequel, Alien 3 starts out with the tragic demise of survivors Newt and Hicks by a stowaway chestburster. Ripley survives, but the ship crash lands on Fiorina 161, a planet housing a penal colony for violent male criminals. The alien, now a quadrapedal runner continues its rampage after the stowaway chestburster morphs with a dog named Spike. At some point, Ripley realizes the reason she’s been surviving all these attacks is because she’s hosting a queen alien embryo, something that apparently happened during thrilling finale fight with the Queen Mother in Aliens.

Faced with a grave choice, Ripley eventually chooses to throw herself into the furnace to end the Queen’s hopes in keeping her species alive. It’s the kind of sacrifice we expect from one of cinema’s greatest heroines, but it was still sad and shocking to let Ripley go after cheering her on for three whole movies.

9. Engineers (Alien: Covenant)

Alien Covenant saw the return of Alien creator and Director Ridley Scott who expanded the Xenomorph universe and attempted to answer the burning questions left by Promethesus. In a brief flashback scene, we see the synth David, who now believes himself a god, in pursuit of the perfect organism, unleash the terrible black goo on the unsuspecting engineers, wiping out the entire colony in mere seconds. If this isn’t an indicator that AI can’t be trusted, I don’t know what is.

Michael Fassbender as synthetic android David 8 with a god complex.

8. Ripley7 and the clones (Alien: Resurrection)

Set 200 years after Alien 3, Ripley is back, but this time as a cloned human-Xenomorph hybrid named Ripley8. Turns out the military has been doing experiments with Ripley’s blood and Xenomorph DNA in its lifelong search to create the perfect super soldier. Sadly, it took 8 interations before getting a decent clone of the original Ripley, and who knows how many failures.

Ripley8 comes across the ship lab and can barely control her emotions when viewing some of those failed abominations that came before her. She finds a badly disfigured mutant hybrid Ripley7 still alive but begging to be killed. Someone hands Ripley8 a flamethrower and she destroys every tortured creature in the entire room, providing the only decent scene in the entire movie. Well, at least until evil Dr. Wren loses his head (see best death #3).

7. Ovomorphs (Aliens)

After losing the protection of the space marines, Ripley and the lone colonist survivor Newt are on the run trying to escape. A wrong turn leads Ripley right smack into the Hive Monarch, the Queen Mother, and a brood of freshly laid eggs. Ripley blasts the flamethrower over the tops of the eggs as a warning, scaring the Queen Mother into telepathically communicating with the other grown Xenomorphs to back off and let them go, however, just as Ripley and Newt are in the clear, a pod opens. Knowing full well what comes next, Ripley uses the flamethrower to destroy the entire nest, infuriating the Queen Mother, and setting up one of greatest showdowns in cinema history.

6. Kay (Alien: Romulus)

Set after the events of first Alien film, Weyland-Yutani finds the wreckage of the Nostromo and collects a Xenomorph cocoon. Months later, a group of space miners led by Rain (inspired by Ripley heroine) who is shepparded over by a synth named Andy. The miners decide to improve their lives by raiding what they think is an empty space station, except it’s not. It’s filled all kinds of aliens, from facehuggers to warrior Xenomorphs, and while the crew manages to snag a good haul, no one is gonna collect a big payday if they don’t escape the ship. One by one, the miners are picked off.

Cailee Spaeny picks up the reins in Alien reboot.

After surviving an attack, a pregnant miner named Kay, against Andy android’s advice, chooses to inject herself with mysterious black goo, hoping it will only heal her wounds, but this black goo is actually filled with Queen alien DNA! Now, anyone who saw Alien: Covenant knows this is gonna get bad. Kay gives birth to the stuff of nightmares and this creature wastes no time trying to get a little protein from mama. I dont want to spoil anymore. Just know that motherhood is a killer.

5. Thomas Murphy (Alien 3)

A planet dedicated to violent inmates, sounds like a dream (that’s sarcasm, kids). With a demanding movie studio hellbent on capitalizing off the success of the action packed Aliens, young budding Director David Fincher only had to produce enough blood, guts, and acid baths to repeat box office numbers. Unfortunately that led to Fincher completely disavowing his own film and he might not have it wrong. Alien 3 is pretty abysmal and one of the most openly talked about problematic movie shoots in history. One of most glaring problems was the characters were all unredeemable bad guys, totally unlikable, uninteresting, and completely expendable. To no one’s surprise, the Xenomorphs become every bit the heroes that Ripley was.

Luckily, the movie did have some entertaining deaths, like when inmate Thomas Murphy looks for his missing dog Spike down a dark hole. Spike is a goner, and the inmate gets a face full of acid from fidomorph, but that’s not what kills him. Gravity sucks the man down into one of those giant industrial fans, and viola, memorable death scene #5.

4. Ledward (Alien: Covenant)

After touching down on Origae-6, Security detail Ledward joins the expeditionary team to investigate their surroundings. It doesnt take long before Ledward gets exposed to black fungal spores and immediately fall ill.

Back in medbay, we learn those spores bore an alien organism that has been growing inside of Ledward, but instead of exiting through the chest like a normal chestburster, this alien came out Ledward’s back! It was particularly gruesome and shocking death, if nothing else because it changed 3 decades worth of knowledge about chestbursters. I guess we do learn something new every day.

3. Purvis/Dr. Wren (Alien: Resurrection)

In each Alien movie, there’s always at least one jerk, human or synth, who truly deserves a gory, nasty end of life, and in the 4th installment of Alien franchise, that jerk is Dr. Mason Wren, a manical military scientist who mixed Ripley’s DNA with Xenomorph DNA and tortured his subjects for years. While attempting to escape the Xenomorphs, Wren takes another crew member Call hostage, just as Purvis, one of Wren’s recent test subjects, realizes his own end is nye because he’s been impregnated by a facehugger. Purvis attacks Dr. Wren in a frenzy and when the chest burster arrives, let’s just say we get a two for one and it felt like justice was served.

2. Ash (Alien)

When fellow crew member Ash attacks and sabotages Ripley’s efforts to kill the alien, Parker steps in, fights and decapitates him. Only then do they realize Ash is really a synth! The betrayal runs deeper than that though, after reconnecting the head to get some answers, Ripley and Parker learn Ash has been directed by their evil employer Weyland-Yutani Corporation to bring back the alien organism for study, even if it means sacrificing the crew. As they leave, Parker takes a flamethrower to Ash for good measure, ensuring the robot doesn’t interfere with their escape plan, and honestly, it’s one of the most satisfying deaths in the entire franchise.

1. Kane (Alien)

One of cinema’s most shocking moments was the death of Kane, Commander of the ill-fated USCSS Nostromo, after being impregnated by an alien organism, now affectionately known as a facehugger. Up until that moment, we were just an innocent unsuspecting audience watching some unlucky space crew eat dinner, after answering a distress call from a derelict spaceship and finding nothing but creepiness. The emergence of new parasitic creature chest bursting into our consciousness totally rocked our world.

Even today, some 45 years later, that scene still terrifies new audiences. Chestburster deaths have been included in every film since and it never gets old; it’s never not a gory surprise and that’s why the very first death in Alien, is the most memorable death in the entire franchise.

Monthly Haiku Corner – August

Happy August! We’re getting very close to the Halloween season. July was a shitshow and I’d like very much to leave the month behind. I promise more social media interaction, a recap of my time from Midsummer Scream along with lots of pictures, and an entertaining movie list for August.

This month’s theme is August Aliens. In celebration of Alien: Romulus from legendary Director and Producer Ridley Scott, which is the latest installment set in the Alien universe, one of my favorite franchises of all time. This month, I’ll pay tribute to the Xenomorph lore and also the dark fantastical artwork of beloved Swiss Artist and Designer H.R. Giger, original creator of Xenomorphs. Giger and the design and special affects team won an Academy Award for the sci-fi horror spectacle Alien, 1979.

dark corridors
alien lifeform unleashed
terror in deep space

Artwork by H.R. Giger. To see more wonders of Giger’s macabre biomechanical world and learn about this legendary artist, please visit H.R. Giger Museum.

Happy Father’s Day 2024

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to post about any horror movies. Seeing as it’s Father’s Day and people might be relaxing at Grandpa’s house, I thought I’d make a Scariest Dads of Horror list, in case you were worried your family was a buncha weirdos.

The guys on this list range from deranged psychotic killers to demonically possessed deranged killers. All of them have killed somebody, or several bodies, but those who try to kill their own family especially take the cake, cuz if Daddy wants to kill you, what chance do you have out there in the real world?

Monthly Haiku Corner – June

Happy Summerween! June is beach-going weather. June is creature feature time! Actually, I despise hot temps, so you won’t catch me down by the ocean past 10am. I prefer air conditioned movie theaters and I know what lurks in the chemically-altered plastic-filled nuclear waters. So, I dedicate this month to all the monsters, the werewolves, vampires, zombies, Jaws, Piranha, the kaiju, like Godzilla, Ghidorah, King Kong, all the eldritch horror of Lovecraft and the monsterous creations from the King of B-roll, Roger Corman, who passed away last month at the tender age of 98. May he long rest in peace. Halloween is creeping into retail stores and this season is gonna be big! I can feel it.

something sinister
lurks beneath the water
Summerween

Happy World Storytelling Day!

I always love March because it gives me a chance to mention my favorite spooky creature, the headless horseman. You mean the guy from that story with Ichabod? Yes, that guy! The Legend of Sleepy Hollow written by Washington Irving was most likely inspired by the legendary Dullahan, a menacing spectre of Irish lore, that travels the countrysides of Ireland and Scotland, collecting souls of the recently departed.

The Dullahan is a demonic fairy or wicked hobgoblin, often accompanied by a wailing banshee, and typically depicted riding a black horse, carrying his head under one arm and a whip made of boney human spine in the hand of the other. When the Dullahan calls out your name, death is nigh. It’s also said that just hearing or seeing the Dullahan is an omen that a death in the family is immenient.

Sometimes, the headless horseman is drives a silent black carriage, known as the coiste bodhar (Ireland) or the hell wain (Scotland), which is led by six black horses and emerges out of nowhere from the dark night sky. Legend says once the death coach sets out, it can never return empty, but if you carry even a single gold coin in your pocket, you have nothing to fear, for supposedly, any item made of real gold can send the Dullahan away. However, if you steal the entire pot of fairies’ gold, well…look to the skies.

Of all the Irish legends, the story of the Dullahan is by far the scariest, again, inspiring the legendary Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow and countless other stories, books, movies, comics, video games, you name it. There are four movies featuring the Dullahan or coiste bodhar, the banshee, and other creatures that I absolutely adore and highly recommend. Be sure to move these into your queue:

Walt Disney’s Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, 1949

Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, 1999

Darby O’Gill and the Little People

The Phantom Carriage, 1921 (silent)

St Patrick’s day may have past, but we can keep the mythical stories of Irish folklore alive all year long.

Cannibal Love: Top Ten Movies about Cannibals

Cannibal horror has been around since the pre-code days of Hollywood with films like Sweeney Todd and Doctor X. Once the Motion Picture Production Code was passed in 1930, the taboo subject was once again off the table. Then, in the 1970s, the subgenre came roaring back to life when Italian film directors cooked up a period in horror, known as the cannibal boom.

Despite any commercial success or artistic merits in filmmaking, many of these movies were exploitation films that took extreme gore and sexual violence to another level. Controversial films like Cannibal Holocaust and Cannibal Ferox were banned in several countries for scenes depicting bigotry, xenophobia, racism, sexism, sexual violence, and animal cruelty. In fact, not long after its release, Cannibal Holocaust director Ruggero Deodato was arrested on murder charges and accused of making a snuff film. All the actors had to appear in court before the judge to prove they were very much alive, but that did little to save the cast and crew’s reputation, as the public learned many animal killings in the film were real. Shock films are one thing, but ripping the heads of turtles? Human beings can do better. It’s for this reason, I choose to leave these films off my list.

1. Raw
2. Bones and All*
3. Ravenous
4. Fresh
5. Bone Tomahawk
6. Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 1974
7. Wrong Turn
8. Parents*
9. Hannibal
10. Delicatessen

*These titles reflect February’s theme of cannibals in love.

Merry & Frightful Holiday Horror: Spooky Movies to Watch Christmas Weekend

Happy Friday! Christmas Day is three days away and whether you’re done shopping or just getting started, you need some good movies to take your mind off the stress of the horrordays! You gotta hand it to Santa and Krampus, these two guys are quite decisive about that naughty and nice list. You’re on one or the other, but never both!
So, to celebrate Creepmas, and, in keeping with our Merry & Fright theme of traditional Christmas with spooky vibes, I compiled a list of holiday horror where we can cheer on the good guys and the bad guys who get chopped up into tiny pieces!

Nightmare Before Christmas
Gremlins
Krampus
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
Deadly Games
A Christmas Horror Story
Silent Night, Deadly Night
Black Christmas (1974 version)

Season’s Screamings!

Ten Gifts for Halloween Lovers – 2023

Not sure what you gift your favorite Halloween lover this Creepmas? Well, you came to the right place. It’s going to be a Christmas to dismember with these cool and creepy holiday gift ideas!

Llewellyn’s 2024 Witches’ Calendar $12 – For the Halloween Witch Lover

Bundt Haunted Manor Cake Pan from Nordicware $36 – For the Halloween Baking Lover

Trick R Treat Sam Bitten Lollipop Bag from Trick or Treat Studios $59 – For the Halloween Lover on the Go

Elvira’s Very Scary Xmas 8″Clothed Figure Collectible by NECA $60 – For the Elvira Halloween Horror Collector Lover

Wednesday Nevermore Loungefly Mini Backpack, Pre-order Exclusive from Entertainment Earth $69 – For the Trendy TV Halloween Lover

Spooky Shoes like Chocolaticas Widow Heart – Mary Jane Flats by Hot Chocolate Design $85 – For the Halloween Spider Lover

6-Ft Pre-lit Purple Halloween Christmas Tree $92 from Costway at Target – For the Halloween Christmas Lover

Halloween Glass Ornaments from Christmas Traditions Store 19.99 for 12 or $9.99 for 6 – For the Halloween Christmas Lover Who Needs Ornaments for the Tree

“Dome of Doom” Light-up Haunted House Sculpture from Bradford Exchange $119 – For the Classy Yet Fun Halloween Decor Lover

Gothic Halloween Tea Sets from Angioletti Designs $165-185 – For the Gothic Halloween Tea Drinking Lover

Have yourself a merry and fright Creepmas!

Sinister Saturdays- Talk to Me, 2023

Title: Talk to Me
Director: Danny and Michael Philippou
Starring: Sophia Wilde, Marcus Johnson, Alexandra Johnson, Joe Bird and Miranda Otto
Distributed by: A24
Running Time: 1hr 35min

When a group of Australian friends become addicted to conjuring spirits using the embalmed hand of a satanic medium, they quickly learn the dangers of opening doors to the spirit world.

The movie starts out with a grieving Mia (Sophia Wilde), hot off her mom’s funeral, begging her BFF Jade (Alexandra Johnson) to go to a party, so they can experience some fun and excitement. She’s particularly close with Jade and Jade’s younger brother Riley (Joe Bird), even Jade’s mom, played by Miranda Otto (of LOTR and Sabrina fame) who is hip to the kids and their little white lies, but this struggling single mom is also a busy nurse who gets called back to hospital leaving the trio alone to go sneak off to the party.

It’s unclear at this point if Mia has had time to process her mom’s death but she’s obviously a muddled mess of emotions and prime target for what’s about to happen.

Each teen takes their turn, first, they’re strapped to a chair and tied down tight by the biggest member of their group (if that ain’t a red flag I dunno what is), next, they light a candle, grab hold of the embalmed hand and say one of two commands, “talk to me” or “I let you in”. What follows is 90 seconds of madness.

What should be a terrifying event (see every other horror movie ever made about conjuring the dead), these kids instead get a huge thrill out of being possessed. In some ways, the movie likens it to getting high. Spirits take control of the teens’ bodies and say the wildest shit. Some spirits are good, some spirits are bad, some spirits are horny and make out with the dog, and some spirits are recently deceased family members who have committed suicide for unknown reasons.

Mia instantly becomes obsessed with touching the hand, desperate to communicate with her dead mother again. Despite objections from Jade, and the other more hardened members of their friendship circle, Mia’s quest blinds her to the dangers so much that she drags young Riley with her to friend Hayley’s house for another go. This time, giving permission, that she doesn’t actually have, allowing Riley to partake in the fun, but playtime is over.

Mia’s weakened emotional state and the group’s bending of the rules, attract the attention of a demonic spirit and this one’s not letting go of Riley.

In Talk to Me, there is a clear separation between the living and the spirit world, but it matters not because these kids don’t pay attention to rules or respect the dead. This is horror movie version of fuck around and find out.

Mia’s life begins to quickly unravel, until she basically becomes a conduit for evil demons looking for a soul. Mia hallucinates and even allows spirits to possess Jade’s boyfriend, in what becomes just one of a very long line of frustrating scenes as we watch Mia’s choices go from bad to worse until the unthinkable happens.

My initial thoughts were Talk to Me wasn’t as scary as it could have been, but I began to appreciate the film after a second viewing and its contributions towards horror.

First, there’s the amazing and very realistic portrayl of Gen Z. As I stated before, these kids reveled in being possessed, rather than get scared. I dont know if it’s social media, bad parenting, or shitty education system, all of which seem to be a worldwide problem, but this generation is missing some serious critical thinking skills. The desire for instant thrills, gratification, and lack of self preservation to the point they’re messing with the dead is bonkers. Like any good A24 movie, I’m sure there was subtext and hints all over the movie that clued audiences into what was happening, but the performances are so spectacular that we can’t do anything but zero in on what’s happening to Mia, and then Riley.

Riley, oh my gosh, if there’s a victim of the year award in film, hands down it belongs to this character. Your heart will break, your skin will crawl, you’ll feel pain just by looking ar him. It’s horrific, and it’s one of the many reasons I’m highly recommending everyone spend $ to rent on Amazon Prime on Halloween night.

Scariest scenes: Any scene involving the possessed Riley in the hospital and his torture scene.

Friday Fright Nightcaps – Revenge of Frankenstein Cocktail

Happy Frankenstein Friday! Time for another Friday Fright Nightcap! Tonight, we celebrate Universal monster Dr. Frankstein with a classy cocktail stitched together with a bunch of different ingredients, just like his creations!