Saluting five of the most compelling characters from the Alien franchise

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With another Alien sequel in the works, it feels like the perfect time to salute some of the franchise’s memorable characters. With the new film expected to pick up where Alien: Romulus left off, we could also see some familiar faces returning.

Generally, people who consume movies like Alien become attached to certain characters, particularly given the horrors that typically ensue. Even when assessing other forms of media, there are some iconic faces people adore. For instance, many gamers who look for games to download generally focus on character design and the stories surrounding them.

The same applies in the Alien franchise, with some memorable action heroes making appearances, alongside a whole host of other characters that have helped make the Alien films arguably the most influential science fiction/horror movie franchise ever. So, as fans of the movies are awaiting the release of the next Alien production, let’s salute five of the best characters we’ve seen over the years.

Walter One (Alien: Covenant)

Starting proceedings off with a beloved character from Alien: Covenant, Walter One is an emotional rock who plays an integral part in the movie. This excellent Walter model synthetic was part of the expedition team that went to investigate following a disaster that damaged the Covenant. Walter One isn’t just one of the main protagonists of Alien: Covenant either, as Michael Fassbender did a great job in playing him. Overall, Walter One will always be remembered by diehard fans of the movies.

Parker and Brett (Alien)

When looking at Alien, an undisputed classic from the series, it’s almost impossible to ignore Parker and Brett. Given the various nasties we’re exposed to in the movie, a sprinkling of comedy was welcome. That’s exactly what the pair offer, with the ship’s mechanical crew cracking jokes and showcasing their on-screen chemistry from the offset. The pair have a great relationship and they’re behind some of the funnier moments in it. For that alone, Parker and Brett are generally adored by Alien fans.

Ash (Alien)

Alongside Parker and Brett, Ash is another instantly recognizable face from Alien. This time, though, it’s for all the wrong reasons. Ash is obviously an unscrupulous personality, with this horrifying monster blending into the background while he waits to pounce on his unsuspecting crew members. Ash holds it all in until the latter stages of the movie, with this android playing a key role in arguably the greatest film from the franchise.

Clemens (Alien 3)

If you’ve seen Alien 3, then you’ll probably remember Clemens. The doctor on the prison planet of Fury 161, he’s a bit of a loner who struggles to connect with the people around him. In a series of movies with a number of overtly masculine heroes, there was something quite charming about his social awkwardness. Throw in his intriguing backstory and Clemens was an all-round interesting man.

Ellen Ripley (multiple Alien movies)

(Image via https://x.com/notonaddy)

We couldn’t really leave Ellen Ripley out, could we? As arguably the most iconic character of them all, Sigourney Weaver’s impact on the franchise is huge. Widely regarded as one of the most memorable characters in the entire science fiction genre, Ripley was a female hero in an era when men tended to dominate. The fact she was nominated for an Oscar was entirely justified, with her desire to do the right thing making her an instant hit with viewing audiences. Whether we’ll see Ellen Ripley again remains to be seen, but she’ll always be a true hero.