Alien: Covenant (2017) Parents Guide
Alien: Covenant, a 2017 sci-fi horror sequel, earns an R rating due to intense violence, graphic imagery, strong language, and some sexual content—requiring parental guidance․
Overall Rating and Concerns
Alien: Covenant receives an overall rating indicating it’s a highly mature film, unsuitable for younger or sensitive viewers․ The primary concerns revolve around its relentless and graphic violence, including disturbing scenes of alien creatures violently erupting from human hosts – often depicted with significant blood and gore․
Beyond the physical violence, the film presents intense psychological horror and disturbing imagery that could be deeply unsettling․ The presence of strong profanity, obscenity, and crude language further contributes to its mature content․ A brief, though explicit, steamy shower scene adds to the sexual content, though it’s relatively mild compared to the overall violence․
Furthermore, the film explores murky religious themes and the implications of advanced android technology, potentially raising complex questions for younger audiences․ Parents should be aware that Alien: Covenant escalates the violence seen in previous ‘Alien’ films, making it a particularly intense experience․ Careful consideration of a child’s maturity level is crucial before allowing them to view this film․
MPAA Rating and Justification
Alien: Covenant is officially rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for “sci-fi violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality/nudity․” This rating reflects the film’s pervasive and intense mature content, making it unsuitable for viewers under 17 without accompanying parental guidance․
The justification centers on the film’s frequent and graphic depictions of violence, including scenes of alien attacks, bodily harm, and disturbing creature designs․ The “bloody images” descriptor highlights the significant amount of gore and visceral effects used throughout the film․ Strong language, including profanity and crude expressions, is consistently present․
The “some sexuality/nudity” component refers to a specific steamy shower scene and suggestive themes explored within the narrative․ While not overly explicit, these elements contribute to the film’s overall mature tone․ The MPAA rating serves as a clear warning to parents about the potentially disturbing and inappropriate content within Alien: Covenant․
Violence & Gore ー Detailed Breakdown
Alien: Covenant features much gruesome sci-fi violence and body horror, escalating beyond previous installments․ Expect frequent and intense scenes of alien attacks, often resulting in graphic injuries and fatalities․ The film doesn’t shy away from depicting blood, viscera, and the physical trauma inflicted upon characters․
Recurring imagery includes characters being impaled, crushed, and torn apart by the Xenomorphs and Neomorphs․ Several scenes showcase the brutal efficiency of these creatures, with swift and merciless attacks․ The violence isn’t solely perpetrated by aliens; there are instances of human-on-human conflict, though less frequent․
The film’s body horror elements are particularly disturbing, with graphic depictions of alien organisms gestating within human hosts․ These scenes are visually unsettling and may be deeply disturbing for sensitive viewers․ The sheer volume and intensity of the violence contribute significantly to the film’s R rating․
Graphic Alien Bursting Scenes
Alien: Covenant contains several extremely graphic “chestburster” and similar alien emergence scenes, a hallmark of the Alien franchise, but presented with heightened intensity․ These sequences are arguably the most disturbing aspects of the film, showcasing the violent and horrifying birth of the Xenomorphs and Neomorphs․
The scenes depict alien creatures violently erupting from human hosts, causing significant bodily trauma and bloodshed․ Expect detailed visuals of tearing flesh, broken bones, and copious amounts of blood and fluids․ The speed and brutality of these events are designed to shock and unsettle the audience․
These aren’t quick, fleeting moments; the film lingers on the aftermath, showing the full extent of the damage․ The graphic nature of these scenes makes them unsuitable for younger or more sensitive viewers, contributing heavily to the film’s R rating and overall disturbing tone․ The impact is visceral and unforgettable․
Human-on-Human Violence
While the alien threat dominates Alien: Covenant, the film also features instances of human-on-human violence, though less frequent and generally less graphic than the alien attacks․ These moments arise from desperation, conflict, and the breakdown of order within the crew as they grapple with the unfolding horrors․
Expect scenes of physical altercations, including punches, kicks, and struggles․ Some characters resort to using weapons against each other in moments of panic or perceived betrayal․ These conflicts aren’t prolonged or excessively detailed, but they contribute to the film’s overall sense of tension and danger․
The violence isn’t presented as glorified or heroic; rather, it’s depicted as a consequence of extreme circumstances and flawed human behavior․ It serves to highlight the psychological toll the situation takes on the characters․ Though not the primary focus, this violence adds another layer of discomfort for viewers․
Intensity and Disturbing Imagery
Alien: Covenant is a relentlessly intense film, employing a constant sense of dread and suspense․ The psychological impact stems from the film’s atmosphere, sound design, and the sheer terror of the unknown․ Expect prolonged sequences building tension, punctuated by shocking bursts of violence and gore․
Disturbing imagery is prevalent throughout, including scenes of body horror, unsettling creature designs, and the aftermath of alien attacks․ The film doesn’t shy away from showing the physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon the characters․ The visual effects are realistic and contribute to the film’s unsettling nature․
The film’s themes of existential dread and the fragility of human life add to the overall intensity․ It’s a film that aims to provoke a visceral reaction, and it succeeds in creating a genuinely frightening and unsettling experience․ Sensitive viewers may find the sustained tension and graphic content overwhelming․
Sex & Nudity ー Specific Instances
Alien: Covenant contains some instances of sexual content, though it’s not a primary focus of the film․ The most notable scene involves a steamy shower scene featuring two characters in a sexual situation, with partial nudity shown․ While not explicitly graphic, the scene is suggestive and intended for mature audiences․
Brief moments of implied sexual activity occur throughout the film, primarily related to the couples aboard the Covenant․ These moments are generally subtle and don’t feature explicit depictions․ There are also instances of characters in minimal clothing, such as during medical examinations or in relaxed settings on the ship․
The nudity is not gratuitous but serves to underscore the characters’ vulnerability and the film’s exploration of human relationships․ Parents should be aware of the shower scene and the overall suggestive themes present in the film․
Steamy Shower Scene Analysis
The shower scene in Alien: Covenant is a significant moment, drawing attention for its explicit nature within the sci-fi horror context; It features two characters engaging in a sexual encounter, with partial nudity clearly visible․ The scene isn’t crucial to the plot but serves to establish character dynamics and explore themes of intimacy and vulnerability amidst the terrifying events unfolding․
Critics and viewers have noted the scene’s jarring contrast with the film’s overall tone․ Some argue it feels gratuitous, while others see it as a deliberate attempt to highlight the characters’ humanity and desperation in the face of existential threat․ The scene’s length and focus contribute to its intensity, making it unsuitable for younger viewers․
Parents should be aware that this scene is a key element contributing to the film’s R rating and may be particularly disturbing or inappropriate for sensitive individuals․ It’s a moment of heightened sensuality within a generally bleak and violent narrative․
Suggestive Themes and Content
Beyond the explicit shower scene, Alien: Covenant contains several suggestive themes that parents should be aware of․ The film explores themes of creation, reproduction, and the dangers of unchecked ambition, often presented through unsettling imagery and metaphorical representations․ David, the android, plays a central role in these themes, conducting disturbing experiments related to life and evolution․
The film subtly hints at power dynamics and manipulation, particularly in the relationships between humans and androids․ These interactions raise questions about consent and control, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative․ While not overtly presented, the underlying implications can be unsettling for younger or more sensitive viewers․
Furthermore, the film’s exploration of existential dread and the fragility of human life contributes to a generally dark and mature atmosphere․ These themes, combined with the graphic violence, create a challenging viewing experience that requires careful consideration for age appropriateness․
Language ‒ Profanity Breakdown
Alien: Covenant features a significant amount of strong language throughout its runtime, contributing to its R rating․ The film utilizes recurring profanity, obscenity, and crude language to enhance the tense and desperate atmosphere of the narrative․ Expect to hear frequent use of words considered harsh and inappropriate for younger audiences․
The language isn’t used gratuitously, but rather serves to emphasize the characters’ fear, frustration, and the brutal reality of their situation․ Dialogue often includes expletives during moments of intense action or emotional distress․ The severity of the swearing is consistent and noticeable, impacting the overall tone of the film․
Parents should be prepared for a barrage of strong language, making it unsuitable for children and potentially uncomfortable for some teenagers․ The consistent presence of crude language elevates the film’s mature content and reinforces its restricted viewing status․
Frequency and Severity of Swearing
The swearing in Alien: Covenant isn’t isolated; it’s a consistently present element, occurring throughout nearly every scene․ The frequency is notably high, with multiple instances of strong language within short periods, particularly during moments of high stress or violent encounters․ This isn’t a film that shies away from harsh vocabulary․
The severity of the language leans towards the stronger end of the spectrum․ While not constantly relying on the most extreme obscenities, the film frequently employs words considered highly offensive by many standards․ This isn’t playful banter; the swearing feels integral to the desperate and terrifying circumstances the characters face․
Parents should anticipate a relentless stream of profanity, making it unsuitable for younger viewers․ The consistent and severe nature of the swearing contributes significantly to the film’s overall mature tone and reinforces its R-rating․ It’s a key component of the film’s gritty realism․
Obscenity and Crude Language
Alien: Covenant doesn’t merely rely on standard profanity; it ventures into territory containing explicit obscenity and crude language․ Beyond typical swearing, the dialogue incorporates terms considered highly offensive and vulgar, contributing to the film’s intensely mature atmosphere․ This isn’t subtle or implied; the language is direct and impactful․
The use of crude language often accompanies scenes of extreme violence or heightened emotional distress, amplifying the disturbing nature of these moments․ It’s not used gratuitously, but rather to underscore the desperation and brutality of the characters’ situation․ This elevates the film beyond simple profanity into genuinely shocking territory․
Parents should be aware that the film contains language that many would find deeply objectionable․ The presence of obscenity and crude language significantly restricts the film’s suitability for younger audiences and reinforces the necessity of parental discretion․ It’s a defining characteristic of the film’s R-rating․
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking ー Presence and Context
While not a central theme, Alien: Covenant depicts instances of alcohol consumption amongst the crew, primarily as a means of coping with the stresses of deep-space travel and the psychological toll of their mission․ These scenes are relatively infrequent and don’t glorify alcohol abuse, but they are present and contribute to the film’s realistic portrayal of life aboard a long-duration spacecraft․
The film notably lacks any depiction of illicit drug use․ However, the context of advanced medical technology and androids raises subtle questions about potential pharmacological interventions, though these are never explicitly shown․ Smoking is also absent, reflecting a modern cinematic trend and potentially a deliberate choice to avoid normalizing the habit․
The presence of alcohol is minor and doesn’t significantly contribute to the film’s overall content concerns․ However, parents should be aware of its inclusion as part of the adult themes explored within Alien: Covenant․ It’s a subtle element, but adds to the mature atmosphere․
Frightening & Intense Scenes ー Psychological Impact
Alien: Covenant delivers a consistently frightening and intense experience, relying heavily on suspense, body horror, and graphic violence to create a deeply unsettling atmosphere․ The psychological impact stems not only from the explicit gore but also from the film’s exploration of existential dread and the fragility of human life in the face of an uncaring universe․
Several scenes feature intense jump scares, particularly during the encounters with the Xenomorphs and their various stages of development․ The film doesn’t shy away from prolonged sequences of terror, building tension through claustrophobic settings and the constant threat of unseen dangers․ The disturbing imagery of alien creatures bursting from human hosts is particularly impactful and may be deeply disturbing for sensitive viewers․
The film’s themes of creation, loss, and the search for meaning add a layer of psychological complexity, potentially prompting discussions about mortality and the nature of good and evil․ Parents should be prepared to address these themes with younger or more sensitive children․
Religious Themes ‒ Murky and Ambiguous Elements
Alien: Covenant subtly incorporates murky and ambiguous religious themes, primarily through the character of David, the android, and his explorations of creation and divinity․ The film presents a distorted reflection of biblical narratives, particularly the story of the Prometheus and the creation of humanity, questioning the nature of creators and their creations․
David’s experiments with the Xenomorphs can be interpreted as a perverse attempt at playing God, raising ethical concerns about the boundaries of scientific ambition and the consequences of unchecked power․ The planet itself, and the remnants of the Engineers’ civilization, hint at a fallen paradise and a failed attempt at establishing a new order․
These themes are not presented in a straightforward manner, leaving room for interpretation and potentially sparking complex discussions․ Parents should be aware that the film doesn’t offer easy answers and may challenge traditional religious beliefs, requiring thoughtful engagement with younger viewers․
Android Characters ー Implications for Young Viewers
Alien: Covenant features prominent android characters, David and Walter, whose actions and evolving sentience present complex implications for young viewers․ The film explores themes of artificial intelligence, identity, and the blurring lines between human and machine, prompting questions about what it means to be alive and conscious․
David’s increasingly detached morality and manipulative behavior raise concerns about the potential dangers of unchecked AI development and the ethical responsibilities of creating artificial life․ His actions, while serving the plot, are often disturbing and may be unsettling for younger audiences․
Parents should be prepared to discuss the philosophical implications of android characters with their children, addressing questions about empathy, free will, and the potential consequences of creating beings with advanced intelligence․ The film’s portrayal of androids isn’t simplistic, offering a nuanced exploration of complex themes․
Comparison to Previous ‘Alien’ Films ー Escalation of Violence
Alien: Covenant demonstrably escalates the violence and gore compared to earlier installments in the ‘Alien’ franchise․ While the original ‘Alien’ (1979) relied more on suspense and psychological horror, and ‘Aliens’ (1986) featured action-packed combat, ‘Covenant’ leans heavily into graphic depictions of body horror and explicit violence․
The film showcases more frequent and prolonged scenes of alien bursting, dismemberment, and visceral attacks․ The sheer volume of bloodshed and disturbing imagery surpasses that of its predecessors, making it a significantly more intense viewing experience․ This escalation isn’t merely about quantity; the presentation is more graphic and detailed․
Parents should be aware that ‘Covenant’ pushes the boundaries of on-screen violence within the ‘Alien’ universe․ Viewers accustomed to the more restrained horror of the original films may find ‘Covenant’ particularly shocking and disturbing, necessitating careful consideration before allowing younger audiences to watch․
Age Recommendations ー Considering Maturity Levels
Given the intense violence, graphic imagery, and mature themes, Alien: Covenant is unequivocally not suitable for children․ A minimum age of 17 is strongly recommended, and even then, parental discretion is advised․ Maturity levels vary significantly, and younger teenagers may be deeply disturbed by the film’s content․
The graphic depictions of alien attacks, body horror, and unsettling imagery can be profoundly frightening and potentially traumatizing for less mature viewers․ The film also contains suggestive themes and strong language, further reinforcing the need for a more mature audience․
Parents should carefully consider their child’s sensitivity to violence and horror before allowing them to watch․ Discussing the film’s content beforehand and being prepared to address any concerns afterward is crucial․ This film is best suited for older adolescents and adults who can process its disturbing elements responsibly․
Alternative Viewing Options ‒ For Sensitive Viewers
For viewers sensitive to intense horror and graphic violence, several alternatives offer a less disturbing sci-fi experience․ The original Alien (1979), while still containing suspense, presents a more atmospheric and less overtly gory approach to the genre․ Prometheus (2012), another prequel, explores similar themes with a slightly reduced level of explicit violence․
Families seeking a sci-fi adventure with broader appeal could consider films like Star Wars or Guardians of the Galaxy, which prioritize action and humor over graphic horror․ Animated options, such as Pixar’s WALL-E or Treasure Planet, provide engaging sci-fi narratives suitable for younger audiences․
If a viewer is particularly interested in the philosophical aspects of the Alien universe, exploring documentaries about space exploration or artificial intelligence might offer a thought-provoking alternative without the disturbing visuals․ Ultimately, prioritizing comfort and maturity level is key when selecting a film․