"In space no one can hear you scream."

Rating: 9/10 (19 July 2014)

Just as Jaws is the icon of horror for the seas, Alien is the image of fear for space. It's the film that all other sci fi horrors will look up to and try to imitate. But none have been capable of matching its brilliance remaining the defining picture of horror in space. And it's easy to see why with visuals that hold up as well today as they ever have and one of the most threatening monsters put to screen.
When it was released we got an image of space exploration unlike any that we'd seen before. Scott ensured that there was a realistic and believable example of space exploration. He carried this out with groundbreaking special effects being used to create the vast landscape of space and the claustrophobic design of the spaceship. All this detail was vital in creating the terrifying setting needed to isolate the crew and secure their doom.
The vast emptiness of space reminds us that there is nobody there to help them and they are alone against that monster. The ships narrow corridors and enclosed environments reminds us that they have nowhere to run. On top of this we truly care for the crew. They are all believable characters with distinct and memorable personalities that make us want to see them through it alive. But we constantly doubt there survival each time the Xenomorph strike by appearing as a indestructible monster.
Whilst the design of the Xenomorph is one of the most impressive of cinema, what made it truly iconic is how little we see of him. Even in the iconic trailer of the film we never once see him. Because the film is not about the attack, but instead focuses on the fear leading up to it. The creature lurks in the shadows. We see only glimpses. The sharp threatening teeth. A blank emotionless face. That smooth skin. Any sight we do get of him simply makes him into a more imposing and threatening figure, without any single feature of humanity visible.
We see him just the same way the crew can see him thanks to these quick glimpses. And just like the scared crew we know that it can strike at any given moment. There is nowhere they can run to in space, so they are never safe. In every lingering shot we never know if or when he'll strike. It's this anticipation of the attack that makes this film so incredible. Doom appears as a certainty to the crew members with nowhere to run to. When it does strike it's brief and one sided with the crew standing no chance against the monster.