Ridley Scott’s Ridley Scott Alien Covenant has entered the top 10 streaming charts on HBO Max in five European countries nearly a decade after its release. The film ranks among the most-watched titles in Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, peaking at sixth place in Denmark and Sweden. This resurgence highlights renewed interest in the franchise’s complex sci-fi narrative.
The Story Behind Alien: Covenant and Its Controversial Reception
Alien: Covenant follows the crew of the colony ship Covenant as they journey to a remote planet thought to be an uncharted paradise. Upon investigation, they encounter David, the synthetic and sole survivor of the Prometheus expedition, whose intentions threaten humanity. Despite continuing the storyline launched in Prometheus, Scott’s earlier Alien prequel, this sequel stirred mixed emotions among audiences and critics alike.
Directed by Ridley Scott with a script by John Logan and Dante Harper, the film stars Michael Fassbender as David, alongside Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, and Demián Bichir. This project marked Scott’s return to the Alien universe, which he originally created before subsequent sequels were helmed by other directors such as James Cameron and David Fincher.
Mixed Critical and Audience Reactions to the Film
Upon its 2017 release, Alien: Covenant faced a divided response. While critics gave it a cautiously positive reception, reflected in a 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences remained less convinced, with only 55% approval. The critical consensus acknowledged its success in delivering intense, close-quarters space horror but criticized it for not innovating within the Alien saga’s established framework.
The film earned $238.5 million globally at the box office, set against a $97 million production budget. Though it ranks as the third-highest-grossing entry in the series, Alien: Covenant’s financial performance followed Prometheus, which had a larger budget of $125 million, and the original Alien, made with a significantly smaller budget of $80 million.
Ridley Scott’s Vision and the Future of the Alien Prequel Trilogy
Ridley Scott views Alien: Covenant as a pivotal installment and has expressed interest in continuing the Alien prequel trilogy. He believes this film sets the stage perfectly for future storytelling, especially with its open-ended conclusion involving the survivor in cryo-sleep and the android David possessing alien eggs alongside thousands of colonists.
“[Alien:] Covenant is the best one [for a sequel] because it leaves the girl in the [cryo pod] and [Michael Fassbender’s killer android] David has alien eggs and 2,000 colonists hanging around. It’s a perfect beginning,”
Ridley Scott, Director
However, despite Scott’s intentions, the future of this sequel remains uncertain.
Recent Developments in the Alien Franchise Under Disney
With Disney now controlling the Alien franchise, the series is experiencing a revival. Disney’s first new entry, Alien: Romulus, has performed well enough to prompt the development of its sequel. Moreover, the franchise has expanded into television with the release of Alien: Earth in 2025, which has already been renewed for a second season, indicating ongoing investment in the Alien universe.
Meanwhile, Alien: Covenant remains available to audiences via HBO Max, where viewers can revisit its tense and haunting narrative.
Main Cast and Plot Overview
The film features Michael Fassbender as David and Katherine Waterston as Walter. Their characters navigate a mission marked by unforeseen threats when the colony ship’s crew discovers a seemingly idyllic world that harbors deadly dangers. The storyline challenges them to survive under increasingly grim circumstances.
