Alien: Final Girl and Sci-fi Rape

Mad Sanity

Alien (1979) is a film that projects the survivor fantasy of rape. Such fantasy is so subtle and metaphoric that we can only realize it until the very end. Through its cold tone and disorienting visuals, any feelings that performed by the actor are condensed and enhanced. When the accumulated emotions are finally unleashed, no matter what conseÅquence is followed, we come to realize that we kind of want it to happen in this way. What is hidden behind the fantasy is not quite a guilty pleasure, but something more nuanced.

Xenomorph is a fearsome creature that forcibly plants its egg in human body.

Nostromo is a large commercial ship with a unique, ice-cold aesthetic. The colorless steel leaves a false impression that the ship is big and free, but in fact it firmly divides the ship into small rooms, confining the characters' visions. While the crew members remain unaware of the upcoming danger, the audience knows clearly that they have nowhere to run. The ice-cold aesthetic sharpen the audience's mind, allowing them to recognize the characters' illusions and successfully creating an intriguing situation that is both mad and rational. Every character is logical in their perspective, but completely mad to the audience.

The Xenomorph, the conceptual sci-fi rapist, from the moment of its appearance, has been endowed with the privilege over the crew. As the company rule suggests, everything else is subordinate to bringing the Xenomorph back. Even if the crew members arm themselves with machine guns and firethrower, they are helpless. The host computer is not helping them, neither Ash, the android, who the only one knows what’s really going on and how to get rid of the Xenomorph for good. Given the deadly body weapons and instincts, the Xenomorph becomes the most horrific assaulter than ever.

The crew’s journey back home is interrupted by an unidentified signal. The crew must transfer any potential alien life form to the company, even if it means putting their own lives at risk.

The Final Girl Against Losing Fight

In such a losing fight, there isn’t necessarily a protagonist, but a final girl, Ripely; and we are not sure about that until we fully understand each character’s motives and decisions.

None of the crew members realizes the approaching danger in the accidental encounter with the Xenomorph. They only know that they have lost their freedom, much like the victims who are forcibly abducted. By complaining and requiring more bonuses as compensation for the extra risk following the encounter, they objectify their lives with a price. In this case, we may feel sorry for their unbalanced fight against the Xenomorph, but it is fair.

There is one exception, Ripley, who we all want her to survive. She’s like a mad prophet who carries both hope and suspense, knowing bad things are coming yet no other character believes in her.

From the audience's perspective, it's easier to empathize with Ripley than with the rest of the crew. This is because Ripley is the only one who strictly follows the ship rules, which she sees as a means of protecting the crew and ensuring their safety above all else. When she discovers that the company has betrayed them, and the rule to protect Xenomorph's life is prioritized over the lives of the crew, she decides to rebel, destroy the synthetic Ash, and smash the host computer, Mother. When she ultimately survives, we feel a sense of relief knowing that her vision has paid off.

She’s Not “A Piece of Cake”

Witnessing how other crew members lost their lives in madness, Ripley underwent profound spiritual growth. In order to survive, she has to make her own way out. In the scene where Ripley undresses and enters the sleep pod wearing only a vest and thin underwear, the audience's tension reaches its climax. Ripley is now carrying intense conflicting desires, adding to the dramatic effect. The voyeuristic camera captures the transparent sleep pod which has no cover, resembling a cake box. The exquisite transparent packaging only serves to keep what is delicious inside and is subject to opening at any time.

Ripley hiding from the Xenomorph

It is worth noting that Ripley later equips herself with a space suit to defeat the Xenomorph. In the presence of the top predator's claws, the bulky outfit was futile. It served as a significant symbol that reconstructed her desirable imagery into a complete warrior rather than serving its protective purpose. By equipping the suit, she’s no longer the vulnerable prey she was before.

When the Xenomorph, who represents pure evil and aggressive desire, is banished to the dark void, our question is finally answered: Ripley made it, the girl who survives through her own abilities and strength, whose imagery is no longer about sexuality, but instead, a symbol of independence.

The film doesn’t say if the Xenomorph will come back or still exist out there waiting, but the image of Ripley carries the hope that she can always win.