Skylines (2020) is the third installment in the Skyline sci-fi action franchise, following Skyline (2010) and Beyond Skyline (2017). Directed by Liam O’Donnell, this entry goes full space opera, expanding the alien invasion concept into an interplanetary war with surprisingly emotional stakes. If the earlier films felt like contained alien survival thrillers, Skylines throws the doors open to full-scale cosmic conflict.
Detailed Summary
The Hybrid Future of Earth
The film is set years after the events of Beyond Skyline (2017). Earth has changed dramatically. Alien-human hybrids—humans who were altered using alien technology—now live among regular humans. While some coexist peacefully, many humans distrust and even persecute them.
The protagonist, Rose Corley (Lindsey Morgan), is one such hybrid. She possesses alien-enhanced abilities but struggles with her identity and humanity. When a mysterious virus begins affecting the hybrid population—causing them to turn violently against humans—the fragile peace collapses.
This is where the film raises its core theme: What does it mean to be human when biology no longer defines you?
The Alien Signal and the Mission to Cobalt-1
The outbreak is traced back to a signal emitted from the alien homeworld, Cobalt-1. Rose learns that the signal is corrupting hybrid neural systems. The only way to stop the global catastrophe is to travel to Cobalt-1 and shut down the source.
Rose joins a small but capable team:
- Owens (Alexander Siddig)
- Leon (Daniel Bernhardt)
- Huana (Rhona Mitra)
Their mission: infiltrate the alien planet, disable the signal, and prevent planetary genocide.
The tone shifts from urban sci-fi to full-blown interplanetary military assault. Once they arrive on Cobalt-1, they discover a hostile alien environment, massive biomechanical structures, and remnants of past alien wars.
Betrayals, Revelations, and Alien Politics
On Cobalt-1, Rose discovers that the virus signal is part of a deeper internal alien conflict. The alien civilization is not unified; factions are at war. The virus was never meant for Earth—it’s collateral damage in a larger alien power struggle.
Rose must navigate alien hierarchies, betrayal within her own ranks, and the growing realization that hybrids might represent something more than a mistake of invasion.
The action escalates into brutal close-quarters combat, blending martial arts choreography with sci-fi spectacle.
Movie Ending
The climax unfolds inside the alien command structure responsible for broadcasting the virus signal. Rose confronts the alien leader controlling the transmission. Rather than simply destroying everything, she discovers the signal is embedded within a larger planetary network.
Owens reveals more knowledge than expected, and tensions rise within the team. Some members do not survive the final assault. The mission becomes increasingly personal as Rose realizes shutting down the signal may require sacrificing her alien enhancements—or even herself.
In the final confrontation, Rose uses her hybrid abilities to interface directly with the alien control system. She overrides the broadcast signal, stopping the virus from spreading to Earth. However, this act destabilizes the alien infrastructure.
Cobalt-1 begins collapsing. In a tense escape sequence, Rose and the surviving team members flee as the alien planetary systems implode. The alien leadership structure is effectively destroyed, ending the immediate threat to Earth.
Back on Earth, hybrids are freed from the virus influence. Humanity faces a new reality: hybrids are not the enemy—they helped save the planet. Rose survives, but the experience changes her. She embraces her identity as something beyond human or alien—a bridge between species.
The ending closes on a cautiously hopeful note. The war is over, but the universe remains vast and unpredictable. Earth has survived—but the cosmic stage is still open.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Skylines (2020) does not include a post-credits or mid-credits scene. Once the credits roll, the story is complete with no teaser for a direct sequel.
Type of Movie
Skylines is a science fiction action film with strong elements of military sci-fi and space opera. It blends alien invasion tropes with martial arts combat and dystopian political tension.
Cast
- Lindsey Morgan as Rose Corley
- Alexander Siddig as Owens
- Rhona Mitra as Huana
- Daniel Bernhardt as Leon
- Yayan Ruhian as Huana’s Father
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by Matthew Margeson. The soundtrack emphasizes tension and urgency, using heavy percussion and electronic textures to match the militaristic and extraterrestrial tone of the film. It’s less melodic than traditional space operas and more rhythm-driven, underscoring the action-heavy pacing.
Filming Locations
The film was primarily shot in Lithuania, particularly in and around Vilnius. Lithuania has become a popular filming destination due to its versatile industrial architecture and cost-effective production infrastructure.
The cold, metallic interiors and large-scale alien environments were enhanced with CGI, but the physical sets provided texture and realism. The use of real industrial locations gives Cobalt-1’s structures a grounded, almost brutalist feel—making the alien world feel mechanical and oppressive rather than mystical.
Awards and Nominations
Skylines did not receive major mainstream awards recognition. However, it gained attention within genre communities and sci-fi fan circles for its ambitious scale relative to budget and its commitment to expanding the Skyline universe beyond Earth-based invasion narratives.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Liam O’Donnell also wrote the screenplay, maintaining creative continuity across the trilogy.
- The production leaned heavily on practical stunt choreography to balance CGI-heavy environments.
- Lindsey Morgan performed many of her own action sequences, emphasizing Rose’s physicality.
- The film was produced with a modest budget compared to major Hollywood sci-fi epics, yet aimed for large-scale spectacle.
- The shift to an alien planet setting was a deliberate creative escalation from the Earth-bound chaos of the first two films.
Inspirations and References
While not directly adapted from a book, Skylines draws inspiration from classic alien invasion and military sci-fi films such as:
It also reflects modern dystopian themes about fear of “the other,” identity politics, and biological transformation.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No alternate ending has been officially released. Some deleted scenes reportedly focused more on Earth’s anti-hybrid tensions before the Cobalt-1 mission. These scenes were trimmed to maintain pacing and push the narrative quickly into space-based action.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening hybrid riot sequence showing society’s collapse.
- The team’s first reveal of Cobalt-1’s alien landscape.
- Rose interfacing directly with alien biotech systems.
- The final planetary collapse escape sequence.
Iconic Quotes
- “We’re not the enemy. We never were.”
- “This isn’t about survival anymore. It’s about who we choose to be.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Subtle visual callbacks to the alien brain technology introduced in Beyond Skyline (2017).
- Background design elements that resemble the alien mothership interiors from Skyline (2010).
- Hybrid eye-glow color variations that hint at different alien genetic lineages.
- Small nods to military sci-fi classics through weapon design and squad formations.
Trivia
- The film completes a trilogy arc that began with the relatively small-scale apartment siege in Skyline (2010).
- Yayan Ruhian previously worked on intense martial arts films before joining the franchise.
- The franchise evolved from claustrophobic invasion horror to full space warfare across three films.
- Despite modest box office performance, the series developed a dedicated cult following.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy scrappy, ambitious sci-fi that swings big even without blockbuster budgets, Skylines delivers. It embraces its B-movie DNA while attempting something larger: expanding an alien invasion concept into a full cosmic narrative. The action is energetic, the stakes are planetary, and the central theme of identity gives it more emotional weight than you might expect.
Director’s Other Works (Movies)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Aliens (1986)
- Starship Troopers (1997)
- Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
- Battle Los Angeles (2011)
- The Tomorrow War (2021)
