Humanity is a strange, contradictory species. We act on impulse, chase feelings that defy logic, and often can't explain our own choices. That's the puzzle at the heart of Alpha Gang, the latest absurdist sci-fi comedy from the Zellner brothers, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film drops a crew of emotionless aliens onto Earth with a mission to conquer, only to watch them become fascinated—and infected—by the very emotions they were sent to eradicate.
The setup is delightfully weird. A group of aliens, each named by their arrival order, land on Earth in human bodies. Alpha Six (Riley Keough) is the newest, greeted by Alpha Three (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and taken to a medieval castle that serves as their base. There, she meets Alpha One (Léa Seydoux), Alpha Two (Dave Bautista), Alpha Four (Lily-Rose Depp), and Alpha Five (Doona Bae). Dressed like 1950s greasers—leather jackets, poodle skirts, bouffants—they're a far cry from typical invaders. Their plan to take over the world is vague at best, and they spend their days dancing to a jukebox, arming themselves with modern weapons, and planning picnics that inevitably end in shootouts with locals who seem oblivious to the invasion.
The plot takes a turn when a new alpha, played by Chris Pine, arrives unexpectedly. This newcomer, dubbed Seven, is fully embracing the chaos and, crucially, knows there's a traitor among them. One of the Alphas is secretly part of the Beta Gang, a rival faction led by Beta One, portrayed with icy menace by Cate Blanchett. The Betas are the upgraded model—they listen to electronica, dress more severely, and lack any of the empathy the Alphas have developed. When the two groups clash, the Alphas' newfound emotions explode into full-blown violence, leading to an all-out war that's as ridiculous as it is thrilling.
The Zellners, known for their deadpan style in films like Sasquatch Sunset, approach Alpha Gang with a straight face, letting the absurdity speak for itself. The comedy comes from watching these emotionless beings grapple with feelings they don't understand. Whether it's Alpha One and Two quietly bonding or Alpha Three writing love notes to a falcon named Periwinkle, the humor is intertwined with genuine heart. It's a film that leans into its own schmaltz, and it works.
But Alpha Gang is polarizing—you'll either love it or hate it. There's no middle ground. The film is unapologetically weird, operating in extremes. If the Alphas are shooting, they're screaming and firing bazookas; if they're dancing, they're lost in the music. This commitment to excess is both its strength and its weakness. A particularly long action sequence near the end overstays its welcome, but the film never apologizes for its wackiness. It knows what it is, and it dares you to keep up.
At its core, Alpha Gang is about discovering what makes us human. The aliens fall in love, find their individuality, and learn to dream. They abandon their mission of domination and become enamored with the contradictions of humanity. Their hyperbolic behavior highlights how drastically they change, from unfeeling to completely consumed by emotion. It's a simple lesson, but one delivered with style and a healthy dose of chaos.
Visually, the film is a feast. Costume designer Susie Coulthard gives each alien a distinct look, drowning them in black leather and white shirts with deep red accents. The brutalist architecture of their headquarters clashes with the romantic castles around them, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The jukebox soundtrack of '50s and '60s pop adds to the fever-dream vibe, making the film feel more like a music video than a traditional narrative.
While Alpha Gang may not be for everyone, it's a bold, stylish entry in the sci-fi genre. Chris Pine and Cate Blanchett deliver standout performances, and the Zellners' vision is uncompromising. If you're looking for something that defies convention and embraces the weird, this is it. For more on the film's polarizing reception, check out our take on streaming's new action king. And if you're a fan of Pine's range, you might enjoy our look at another actor's transformative roles.
