FX’s Alien: Earth debuts with an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score, details explored

The Alien franchise has done just about everything over the past 46 years—sci-fi horror, action-packed sequels, philosophical prequels, crossovers with Predator—you name it. But now, for the first time, the Xenomorphs are invading TV. FX’s new series Alien: Earth doesn’t just bring the nightmare to a new format—it’s also shaking up the lore in a major way. And based on early reviews? It might actually be working.

Even before its official premiere on August 12, Alien: Earth has already impressed critics, debuting with a strong 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s a pretty big deal, especially considering how hit-or-miss the franchise has been over the years. So, what makes this version stand out?

Well, for starters, Alien: Earth is very much its own thing. Showrunner Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion) decided to ditch the events of Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, and even the recent Alien: Romulus. In this timeline, Peter Weyland didn’t chase the Engineers, and Michael Fassbender’s David? Never existed. Instead, Hawley rewinds the clock to 2120—two years before the original Alien—and kicks off an entirely new story with fresh characters and a wild thematic twist.

A sci-fi spin on Peter Pan… yes, really

Believe it or not, Alien: Earth takes a lot of inspiration from Peter Pan. The show centers around Wendy (played by Sydney Chandler), a hybrid android with a human consciousness who’s been created by a shady company called Prodigy Corp. She’s joined by a group of other young synths—named after the Lost Boys, no less—and they all report to a bizarre creator figure named Boy Kavalier, essentially a sci-fi Peter Pan.

It sounds strange, but it works. Instead of leaning solely on horror, the series asks deeper questions about identity, free will, and what it means to grow up when you were literally programmed not to. There's still the classic Alien tension and corporate conspiracy stuff (Weyland-Yutani is still lurking), but the emotional heart of the story feels surprisingly grounded.

What critics are saying about Alien: Earth

So far, the reception has been pretty positive. The 88% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects solid praise for the show’s ambition and performances. Sydney Chandler is getting a lot of love for her portrayal of Wendy, while Timothy Olyphant—rocking white hair as the android mentor Kirsh—has been called a standout. Fans of characters like David or Ash from earlier films will probably appreciate what Olyphant brings to the table.

Babou Ceesay’s character Morrow also adds complexity, especially as the series explores the idea of synths not just as tools, but as beings capable of emotion, fear, and choice.

That said, not everything’s perfect. A few reviewers have pointed out that the pacing is slow, especially in the early episodes. Hawley’s known for playing the long game in his storytelling, and this is no different—it takes its time building momentum. Whether audiences will stick around week-to-week is still a question.

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Still, it’s clear this isn’t just another rehash. Alien: Earth feels like it’s trying to say something—and more importantly, it’s doing so in a way the franchise hasn’t really attempted before. For fans tired of the same Xeno-jumpscare formula, this might be exactly what the series needed.

The first two episodes premiere August 12 on FX and Hulu, with new episodes dropping weekly. Time will tell if it sticks the landing, but for now? The franchise seems to be back on solid ground.

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