Alien: Earth’s Xenomorph Effects: “Cheap” TV? Or Purposeful Nostalgia?

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FX’s *Alien: Earth* is a standout new TV show of 2025, boasting impressive scope and fantastic acting from Timothy Olyphant, Babou Ceesay, and particularly Sydney Chandler. Like last year’s *Alien: Romulus*, it breathes new life into a well-known franchise. In fact, *Earth* goes even further, boldly reimagining the series’ established story and successfully adapting the epic, creature-filled adventure for television. The show immediately expands the universe, introducing not only the familiar Synthetics, but also Cyborgs and Hybrids.

Generally, fans have really embraced the bold changes the franchise has made. It could have easily gone wrong, especially with the introduction of cybernetic humans and all the new, frightening creatures that rival the Xenomorph in scariness. However, some fans are unhappy with one thing: the Xenomorph itself-arguably as iconic as Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley. So, what exactly are people criticizing? Let’s take a look.

It’s Nostalgia Without Being Nostalgia Overload

Generally, *Alien: Earth* is a significant improvement for the *Alien* franchise. It feels like it’s developing alongside the films, but with a faster pace. Each episode consistently introduces new and important creatures or cyborgs, challenging viewers to understand how they connect to the established 50-year history of the *Alien* universe.

Given the show’s willingness to explore the past with certain characters, why not revisit the origins of the Xenomorph, a central figure in the franchise? The fifth episode, “In Space, No One…,” already did something similar, essentially functioning as a complete *Alien* movie within an hour – making it the closest the series has come to matching the feel of the original films. And generally, viewers really enjoyed it, as shown in the following example.

Wow, episode 5 of AlienEarth totally blew me away! It felt like a proper alien movie, and honestly, it’s easily the best episode of the series so far. I was so glad we finally got the story of what happened on the Maginot – that’s exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for!

— sonia (@finalgirlsonia) September 3, 2025

A Reddit user started a discussion about how the creature, the Xeno, was brought to life in a recent episode. They felt the creature’s appearances weren’t scary or impressive enough, and in some scenes, it was obvious the creature was a person in a costume.

Most people didn’t object to the idea, but it raises the question: what’s wrong with using a practical creature suit? It clearly pays homage to Bolaji Badelo’s performance as the creature in the original *Alien* film. Plus, the use of an animatronic for close-ups echoes how the creatures were created in *Aliens*. Of course, CGI has been the standard approach since *Alien 3* came out.

The show’s combination of a physical suit, practical effects (animatronics), and computer-generated imagery is dividing viewers. Some feel the effects look low-budget, noticing details like how the suit appears in bright lighting and the plastic-like texture of the head. Others appreciate the use of a tangible, physical creature instead of relying solely on CGI, believing it enhances the overall experience and evokes a sense of nostalgia.

Last year, Fede Álvarez’s *Alien: Romulus* received praise for its realistic monster effects, achieved through a combination of a physical suit worn by an actor, detailed prosthetics and makeup, and practical animatronics. Álvarez intentionally focused on these tangible effects rather than relying heavily on computer-generated imagery. While *Alien: Earth* uses CGI a bit more for the Xenomorph, it’s still commendable that it incorporates practical effects – something that’s increasingly rare and always welcome to see.

What are your thoughts on the show’s version of the Xenos? Tell us below.

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2025-09-14 23:11