Interesting discussion in the comments to my Alien review about to what extent the film conforms to the "slasher" film mold: horny, panicky idiots stalked by repressive killer/monster until the last or "final girl", usually mac lipstick most androgynous, pure and virginal (see Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween) narrowly escapes being butchered. The question is does Alien hew more closely to Horror (i.e., reactionary) or Sci-Fi (progressive) genre conventions?
The character of Ripley and her "last girlness" has been the subject of much debate, particularly in feminist film theory. Ultimately, I would have to say that on the surface Alien basically is a Sci-Fi Slasher, but in several important ways transcends benefit cosmetics subverts the category. Ripley is andro for sure and does end up semi-nude at the end, at her most exposed and feminine, clad in pure white cotton. Whether this moment of unguarded femininity empowers her or not can be debated and I've heard it argued both ways, but, as I said in the comments I think what ultimately separates Alien from the pack is a couple of things:
* The fact that the crew are adults played by serious actors, not teenagers, and as a result act and are directed in a remarkably restrained and almost purposely boring fashion.
* No one seems all MAC Cosmetics interested in having sex or really sharing any kind of connection outside of the job, so what will they be punished for if not daring to have sex?
* They're also completely trapped, so there is no simple, "just run out the front door!" type head-slapping.
* No foreshadowing of the sexuality or really anything else about any of the characters. They remain fairly opaque until late in mac eyeshadow film. It is really not until about a third of the way through the movie, when Ripley refuses to break quarantine, that she is established as anything close to a protagonist.
Maybe most importantly, the Nostromo crew are not incompetent per say, just completely fucked in a hopeless, horrific situation beyond all comprehension, which is where Alien really excels. The feeling of utter desperation and revulsion surpasses the feeling of being momentarily shocked or jolted. I compare Alien to Texas Chainsaw Massacre because I think the latter is another good example of a film that is technically a "slasher", and conforms to the "final girl" archetype, but like Alien creates a climate so thoroughly apocalyptic and oppressive that it gets scarier after you watch it, not during. These films linger in your nervous system, rather MAC Cosmetics Outlet zapping it a few times while working out a few rape/revenge fantasies. Unlike the typical slasher, Chainsaw and Alien don't "punish" their characters for their lusty transgressions or youthful naivety, they are simply ground under by a depraved and pitiless universe. By the end of each film, words themselves lose all meaning. I think commenter "Scats" captures this dynamic brilliantly with this:
Most slasher films have a moment when the characters see there's clearly a danger and then moronically decide not to get the fuck out. Hence Eddie Murphy's immortal line about white people in the movies. Slasher films are all about pulling your desires out (you the audience and you the victims) and then punishing you for them. Alien is all about the irrelevance of your desires. It doesn't matter who you are, Nature, The Universe, and The Corporation (human institutions) will fuck you. Even if you do survive, you'll lose everything, be profoundly traumatized and all prospects of a decent life will be annihilated. You will be left half-naked and alone floating aimlessly mac eyeliner pencil unconsciously through the Crapverse.
The end of Alien is quite existential like that, as we're all really floating half-naked through the crapverse.
Here is a great link with just about every single foundational piece of writing about "Final Girl" theory, give it a browse and let me know what you think, Ripley: radical female? Or just the best "last girl"?
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Strange People By The Side Of The Road
Being An Idiotic Jerk Should Not Be A Reason Get Thrown In Jail
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