From Hostility to Friendship: Alien Evolution in American Sci-Fi

The theme of aliens has consistently played a crucial role in American science fiction literature and films.

Interestingly, the portrayal of these extraterrestrial images in these works has undergone complex shifts and generational changes. For instance, aliens before the 1960s were often portrayed as cruel, violent, and invasive, while those from the 1970s and 1980s appeared more peaceful and became allies to humanity.

What changes in imaginary images of aliens have undergone in the world from 50 years ago to today? Why have these changes occurred?

Pre-1960s Aliens

Before the 1960s, as the surge of American science fiction was taking its early steps, works featuring extraterrestrial beings like The War of the Worlds(1953), Earth vs. the Flying Saucers(1956), and Invisible Invaders(1959) emerged. Overall, the image of aliens during this time tended to be brutal, warlike, and irrational.

The 1953 film The War of the Worlds tells the story of aliens from Mars who can no longer survive due to a sudden climate change on their planet and plan to invade Earth. When the first spacecraft landed on Earth, nearby residents mistook it for a meteorite. Dr. Clayton Forrester learned through his detection device that it was radioactive and needed to cool down before investigating. However, someone curious approached the spacecraft and met a fatal fate. Human weapons proved ineffective against the Martians, leading to chaos worldwide. In the beginning, the Martians killed three unarmed individuals who professed their intention for peace.

The 1956 film Earth vs. the Flying Saucers tells the story of aliens attempting to invade Earth. Dr. Miles Bennell developed a secret weapon of high-frequency sound waves after encountering the aliens and bringing them under control. Notably, this film also reflects a vivid human imagination in which the aliens have human-like limbs and wear clothes similar to humans. The only difference is that the aliens have bun-shaped heads without distinct facial features. Perhaps due to the simplicity of the plot and the rough production quality of early sci-fi films, the movie received mixed reviews.

Scholars have analyzed that the alien image during this era is related to the outbreak of the Korean War. In the film, humans deploy all available weapons, including nuclear weapons, against the aliens. The depiction of such confrontation reflects the propoganda strategy of the American government by demonizing the enemy through cultural products to justify their military actions. Any display of surrender or anti-war sentiment in the film faces censure, while the unwavering dedication to relentless combat is highly praised.

1970s-1980s Aliens

Unlike the previous era, aliens during this period were generally portrayed as gentle, unpretentious, and friendly, while humans seemed inhuman. Representative works include the well-known E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial(1982), Cocoon(1985), and Starman(1984).

In the 1984 film Starman, an alien was shot down by humans and injured. He came to the home of a recently widowed woman and used her husband's body to continue his life. While learning about human life, the alien develops feelings for the woman. As with many other alien science fiction works at the time, separation was inevitable, and the alien's rescue team would arrive in three days to take him back to space. Two government officials on Earth received the message and decided to capture the alien.

The plot is almost identical to the 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, in which children in the human world discover a lost little alien, secretly take care of him, and introduce him to their friends. However, E.T. is eventually uncovered by authorities and transported to a laboratory for thorough examination. The children embark on a rescue mission to save E.T.

During this period, aliens mostly came to Earth unexpectedly as guests, unlike the previous brutal aliens. Aliens during this time were either cute or similar to human beings. Interestingly, Earthlings in these stories often exhibited unfriendly behavior towards aliens, driven by greed or masked under the guise of science.

This portrayal is related to the change in the views on war after the Vietnam War. Unlike in the Korean War era, the mainstream population at this time hoped for peace. Aliens became friends of humans, with all the tangled conflicts centering on humanity itself.

Post-1990s Aliens

Towards the end of the century, science fiction took a new approach to depicting aliens, marked by two main trends. Firstly, some movies after 1990 presented a more complex view of aliens compared to the earlier era. Secondly, some films revisited the style of storytelling seen before the 1960s. Notable films from this time include Contact(1997), Independence Day(1996), Skyline(2010), and District 9(2009).

Released in 1996, Independence Day tells the story of Earth receiving mysterious radio signals from beyond our solar system, leading to unpredictable weather changes. Scientists uncover the presence of aliens who have taken on human appearances and are attempting to alter Earth's climate. Scientists must stop them. Regarding values, this film takes a step back to perspective before the 1960s, portraying aliens as enemies.

In addition, movies like District 9 and Impostor(2001) offer more intricate perspectives. For example, District 9 presents insect-like extraterrestrial beings who arrive on Earth due to poverty on their home planet. The United Nations established a District 9 to care for them. As their conditions improve, they create issues for local society, leading the government to relocate them to a refugee camp. In District 9, these aliens are portrayed as grotesque and brutal, engaging in alcoholism and robbery. However, they are also intelligent, understand gratitude, and elicit kindness from humans who assist them.

Throughout, aliens don't fully integrate into human life. Even as they take on human-like appearances and engage in society, the issue of their return persists. The creation of science fiction films relies entirely on human imagination. Whether aliens are portrayed as hostile or peaceful, seeking revenge or extending goodwill, they reflect the nation's understanding of the outside world.