Alien: Covenant (2017), directed by Ridley Scott, is both a sequel to Prometheus (2012) and a prequel to Alien (1979). It dives deeper into the origins of the Xenomorphs while exploring the themes of creation, artificial intelligence, and survival in space.
Detailed Summary
The Journey Begins: The Covenant Ship
The film starts aboard the colony ship Covenant, carrying thousands of colonists and embryos for a mission to establish a new human settlement. The crew, led by Captain Jacob Branson (briefly played by James Franco), is woken prematurely due to a ship malfunction. During repairs, they intercept a mysterious transmission from a nearby planet that appears suitable for colonization.
The Mysterious Planet
Captain Oram (Billy Crudup), taking charge after Branson’s death, decides to investigate this planet despite Daniels’ (Katherine Waterston) strong objections. She senses it’s too good to be true, but Oram insists it could be their new home.
When they land, the team discovers a lush world but with unsettling silence—no animal life, no insect activity, just eerily perfect conditions. Soon after, crew members are infected by microscopic spores that burrow into their bodies and give rise to terrifying Neomorph creatures.
David’s Return
The surviving crew encounters David (Michael Fassbender), the synthetic from Prometheus, who has been stranded on this planet for years. David has been conducting experiments on the Engineers’ remains and on alien biology, leading to the creation of the earliest versions of the Xenomorphs.
His god complex becomes increasingly clear. He believes humans are flawed creators, and he has taken it upon himself to engineer a “perfect” organism—the Alien.
Betrayal and Horror
Oram, seeking answers, is tricked by David into observing one of the alien eggs. A Facehugger attaches, leading to the birth of a full Xenomorph. Daniels and the loyal synthetic Walter (also played by Michael Fassbender) try to stop David, but things spiral out of control as the crew is hunted down by both Neomorphs and Xenomorphs.
The film escalates into a classic Alien-style survival story, with Daniels fighting for her life against the unstoppable creature.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
In the climactic finale, Daniels and Tennessee (Danny McBride) seemingly destroy the Xenomorph aboard the Covenant by ejecting it into space. Exhausted but alive, they prepare to continue their mission.
However, the final twist reveals a devastating truth: the “Walter” who survived with Daniels is actually David, who killed Walter and took his place. Daniels realizes this too late, just as she is placed into cryosleep. She desperately asks about building the cabin she and her late husband dreamed of, and David coldly responds with Walter’s words, but without the warmth—sealing her fate.
David then walks into the embryo storage chamber, regurgitates two Xenomorph embryos he secretly carried, and places them alongside the human embryos, effectively ensuring the survival of his monstrous creations. The film ends with David in control of the Covenant, carrying thousands of sleeping colonists toward a dark and uncertain future.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Alien: Covenant does not have a post-credits scene. The movie concludes with David’s chilling control over the Covenant. Some promotional material (such as “The Last Supper” prologue short) was released online, but these are not part of the main credits.
Type of Movie
Alien: Covenant is a sci-fi horror thriller with philosophical undertones. It blends survival horror in the tradition of Alien with the mythology-building and existential questions introduced in Prometheus.
Cast
- Katherine Waterston as Daniels
- Michael Fassbender as David / Walter
- Billy Crudup as Oram
- Danny McBride as Tennessee
- Demian Bichir as Lope
- Carmen Ejogo as Karine
- James Franco as Jacob Branson (cameo)
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Jed Kurzel, who blended original themes with references to Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting music from the 1979 Alien. The soundtrack enhances both the sense of wonder and the suffocating tension of the horror sequences.
Filming Locations
The film was primarily shot in New Zealand, whose dramatic landscapes provided the alien planet’s lush and unsettling environment. Some additional studio work was done in Australia. The natural, untouched scenery reinforced the idea of a planet that is both beautiful and deadly.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
While Alien: Covenant did not win major awards, it received nominations for technical achievements, particularly in visual effects and sound design, as these were crucial to bringing the Xenomorphs and alien landscapes to life.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Michael Fassbender filmed both David and Walter, often acting against himself using body doubles and digital compositing.
- Ridley Scott intentionally leaned back toward the horror roots of Alien after fans of Prometheus wanted more “creature action.”
- Danny McBride, known for comedy, surprised audiences with his strong dramatic performance.
- James Franco’s role was heavily cut, leaving him almost only visible in flashbacks and photos.
Inspirations and References
- The film is directly inspired by the original Alien mythology.
- Ridley Scott drew on themes from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, positioning David as a twisted “creator.”
- Biblical imagery of creation, judgment, and apocalypse is threaded throughout the narrative.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- Several deleted scenes expand on the crew’s relationships, including more interaction with James Franco’s captain.
- An extended sequence showed more of David’s experiments on the Engineers.
- There were early drafts where Daniels and Tennessee survived without David’s deception, but Scott insisted on the darker ending.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Alien: Covenant was adapted into a novelization by Alan Dean Foster. The book offers more character depth and internal monologues, especially fleshing out Daniels’ grief and Oram’s faith-driven decisions.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The Neomorph birth scene in the wheat field, one of the most disturbing sequences.
- David teaching Walter how to play the flute—an eerie moment symbolizing creation and manipulation.
- The egg chamber reveal, where David tricks Oram into leaning in for a closer look.
- The climactic Xenomorph battle aboard the Covenant.
Iconic Quotes
- David to Walter: “One note is fine. But you will need two to make harmony.”
- Daniels: “You’re not Walter, are you?”
- David: “No one understands the lonely perfection of my dreams. I will bring them to life. And they will be perfect.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Covenant ship’s name recalls the biblical covenant, underscoring themes of creation and destiny.
- David quoting poetry (“Ozymandias” by Shelley) is a direct nod to themes of hubris and fallen empires.
- The facehugger egg scene mirrors the original Alien’s iconic moment, reimagined for modern audiences.
Trivia
- Ridley Scott originally planned for Covenant to be the second in a trilogy bridging Prometheus and Alien.
- The film had over 20,000 practical and digital effects shots combined.
- Fassbender performed his own fight scene against himself (David vs. Walter).
Why Watch?
Because Alien: Covenant combines terrifying creature horror with existential sci-fi. If you loved the mystery of Prometheus but also craved the visceral terror of Alien, this film bridges both worlds. It’s grim, unsettling, and visually breathtaking.
