When the 1979 science-fiction horror film "Alien"<em> </em>first hit theaters, moviegoers had no idea what the creature -- the central character to the film -- would look like.
When the 1979 science-fiction horror film "Alien" first hit theaters, moviegoers had no idea what the creature -- the central character to the film -- would look like.
H.R. Giger, 20th Century Fox
Above, H.R. Giger with the alien costume from "Alien." The film set the standard for how both science-fiction and horror movies would depict extraterrestrial creatures. But why do different aliens look the way they do? And what will they look like in 20 years?
Above, H.R. Giger with the alien costume from "Alien." The film set the standard for how both science-fiction and horror movies would depict extraterrestrial creatures. But why do different aliens look the way they do? And what will they look like in 20 years?
cinearchive.org
The "Star Trek" series depicted aliens of all shapes and sizes. Pictured are make-up masks from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" designed by Michael Westmore.
The "Star Trek" series depicted aliens of all shapes and sizes. Pictured are make-up masks from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" designed by Michael Westmore.
wikipedia creative commons
"The eyes and mouth are the communicative windows between the aliens and the humans," makeup artist Michael Westmore says.
"The eyes and mouth are the communicative windows between the aliens and the humans," makeup artist Michael Westmore says.
Star Wars.com
The introduction of large oval-eyed "grey" aliens pointed to a change in depiction influenced by both true believers and filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg. Above is an illustration by "Flying Saucers Are Real!" published by Anthology Editions.
The introduction of large oval-eyed "grey" aliens pointed to a change in depiction influenced by both true believers and filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg. Above is an illustration by "Flying Saucers Are Real!" published by Anthology Editions.
Jack Womack collection, via the TK collection
The depiction of tentacled extraterrestrials (above) in the recent science-fiction film, "Arrival, "indicates a divergence from aliens reported by supposed eyewitness accounts.
The depiction of tentacled extraterrestrials (above) in the recent science-fiction film, "Arrival, "indicates a divergence from aliens reported by supposed eyewitness accounts.
paramount
Due to the cyclical depiction of extraterrestrials in films, the portrayal of aliens in films decades from now may not look too different from what we are seeing today. Above, makeup artists work on a character appearing in season 11 of Syfy's "Face Off" show.
Due to the cyclical depiction of extraterrestrials in films, the portrayal of aliens in films decades from now may not look too different from what we are seeing today. Above, makeup artists work on a character appearing in season 11 of Syfy's "Face Off" show.
SyFy, NBC Universal