Kermode & Mayo’s Take

Alien: Earth Bonus Special

Aug 5, 2025
Noah Hawley, a celebrated showrunner known for 'Fargo' and 'Legion', joins to discuss his ambitious new series, 'Alien: Earth'. He delves into the franchise's evolution and how he tackles corporate themes intertwined with a dystopian future. The creative journey features insights on character development and the role of sound design in enhancing horror. Hawley also shares his surprising affinity for British comedy, making a fascinating connection to storytelling techniques. Mark reviews the series, raising questions about its place in the Alien legacy.
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INSIGHT

Mechanical Effects Enhance Alien Fear

  • The original Alien benefited from mechanical effects that were hinted at in shadow and half-light.
  • This subtlety made the alien more terrifying by obscuring its full form.
INSIGHT

Creating Alien Feel Through Emotion

  • Noah Hawley uses emotional resonance over plot to evoke the original Alien feelings in a new story.
  • He introduces new creatures to recreate shock since the xenomorph's lifecycle is now familiar.
INSIGHT

Alien Earth Explores Humanity Themes

  • Alien: Earth blends Alien's horror with themes from Blade Runner about humanity and synthetic life.
  • The core story explores children in synthetic adult bodies, raising questions about identity and immortality.
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