Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant has long been a lightning rod for debate among sci-fi horror fans. The 2017 film, which arrived with a mix of xenomorph terror, philosophical androids, and unsettling flute duets, divided audiences from the start. Now, nearly a decade later, it's finding an unexpected second life as a streaming hit on HBO Max.
The film's resurgence comes as the Alien franchise enjoys renewed attention around Alien Day and the arrival of multiple special editions on the platform. HBO Max added expanded versions of the original four Alien films for Alien Day 2026, giving fans a reason to revisit the series' more controversial entries. And few are as polarizing as Covenant.
Directed by Scott, the movie stars Michael Fassbender in a dual role as the androids David and Walter, alongside Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir, Carmen Ejogo, Jussie Smollett, and Callie Hernandez. The cast brings a mix of dramatic weight and unexpected humor to a story that struggles to balance its philosophical ambitions with classic Alien horror.
Critics have noted that Covenant is a film at war with itself. Scott seems far more invested in David's unsettling journey than in the traditional alien mayhem, leaving the movie caught between being a proper sequel to Prometheus and a straightforward monster movie. As a result, it feels like a film that doesn't quite know what it wants to be—too cerebral for some, too conventional for others.
Yet that very tension is part of what makes Covenant so fascinating. It's undeniably a Ridley Scott sci-fi film, with all the visual grandeur and thematic weight that implies. And with the franchise's recent momentum—thanks to Alien: Romulus and the upcoming Alien: Earth—viewers are eager to explore the series' more divisive corners.
For those who haven't seen it, Covenant offers a unique blend of body horror and existential dread. It's a film that rewards patience and a willingness to engage with its more abstract ideas. And for longtime fans, it's a chance to revisit a movie that has aged better than many expected.
Whether you love it or hate it, Alien: Covenant is a must-watch for anyone interested in the evolution of the franchise. It's streaming now on HBO Max, ready to spark new debates and old wounds alike.
