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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Aliens (1986). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Ellen Ripley, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, is miraculously rescued after spending 57 long years in stasis, drifting through the void of space. Upon her return, she faces a rigorous debriefing from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation regarding the shocking destruction of her ship, the Nostromo. Skepticism clouds her testimony as the corporation questions her harrowing account of an Alien creature that resulted in the demise of her crew. Determined to convey the truth, Ripley underscores the threat the Alien posed; although she succeeded in eliminating it, she warns that the alien vessel harbored thousands of eggs. Should any find their way to Earth, the consequences could be catastrophic as these creatures gestate within living hosts.

Now located in Zeta Reticuli, the Exomoon LV-426 has transformed into a Terraforming colony named Hadley’s Hope, where about 60 to 70 families have labored for over two decades to create a breathable atmosphere. Tragically, one of the exploratory teams stumbles upon the derelict alien ship, inadvertently triggering a breeding cycle when an egg hatches, leading to disaster as it attaches itself to one of the explorers.

As communication with Hadley’s Hope abruptly ceases, Weyland-Yutani sends representative Carter Burke (played by Paul Reiser) and Colonel Marine Lieutenant Gorman (William Hope) to enlist Ripley’s help in investigating the dire situation. Although haunted by her previous encounter with the Alien, Ripley initially hesitates to join them. However, after grappling with recurring nightmares about the creature, she agrees, provided Burke assures her that the priority will be extermination, not capture.

Aboard the USS Sulaco, Ripley meets the Colonial Marines and the android Bishop (Lance Henriksen), filling her with unease due to her previous traumatic experience with the treacherous android Ash. Upon landing on LV-426, the team discovers the facilities vacated. Signs of struggle are evident, but the colony is eerily empty except for two live face-Huggers contained within a medical lab and one survivor—a young girl nicknamed Newt (Carrie Henn) who narrowly escaped death by hiding in the ventilation system.

Using the colony’s advanced computer systems, the team manages to detect the missing colonists sheltered beneath the power station. As they navigate the station’s dark, secreted corridors, they shockingly uncover colonists cocooned, serving as hosts for Alien offspring. Their mission spirals into chaos when an encounter with a newborn Alien leads to an ambush that results in multiple casualties among the marines.

In a critical moment, panic-stricken Gorman falters, prompting Ripley to assert command, steering their vehicle with dire urgency as they crash through the nest to rescue her fellow marines—Hicks (Michael Biehn), Hudson (Bill Paxton), and Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein). However, disaster strikes when the crew’s drop-ship is brought down by a hidden Alien, forcing Ripley, Newt, Burke, and the surviving marines to seek refuge inside the colony.

Ripley soon uncovers a terrifying plot: Burke had orchestrated the colonists’ visit to the derelict ship, driven by greed and the ambition to exploit Alien specimens for bioweapons. Threatened by her knowledge, Burke’s ulterior motives push Ripley to act. Amidst this betrayal, Bishop reveals an even graver danger: the power plant has sustained serious damage during their conflict and is on the brink of catastrophic detonation.

As Ripley and Newt find momentary safety in the medical lab, their brief respite ends as two face-Huggers are released, prompting a desperate alert to the marines. With the Marines’ timely intervention, they manage to eliminate the face-Huggers. Ripley soon confronts Burke over his ruthless intentions to sacrifice her and Newt, aiming to facilitate his sinister escape plan. The confrontation escalates as Aliens begin an all-out assault, leading to the loss of more lives.

In a race against time, Ripley, horrifically aware of the danger Newt faces, assembles a makeshift weapon and valiantly descends into the depths of the processing station to rescue her from the clutches of the Alien queen. A fierce battle ensues as Ripley destroys the alien eggs, inciting the wrath of the queen who breaks free from her lair, pursuing them with deadly intent. Time is of the essence as they meet Bishop and Hicks, narrowly escaping moments before the colony is obliterated.

Yet the nightmare isn’t over; aboard the Sulaco, they soon discover that the Alien queen has stowed away. In a horrifying twist of fate, she attacks Bishop, dismembering him in her rampage toward Newt. With determination, Ripley engages in an epic showdown against the queen using a powerful Exosuit, ultimately evicting the creature into the void of space. As the survivors—Ripley, Newt, Hicks, and the injured Bishop—enter hyper-sleep for their journey back to Earth, they can finally hope for peace, but the specter of the Alien remains, lurking in memory.

Timeline

Track the key events of Aliens (1986) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Rescue from Stasis

Ellen Ripley is miraculously rescued after drifting in stasis for 57 years in space. She awakens to a new world and faces the harsh reality of her harrowing past.

Debriefing by Weyland-Yutani

Upon her return, Ripley undergoes a rigorous debriefing session with the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. They express skepticism regarding her account of the Alien creature that destroyed her ship, the Nostromo, questioning her credibility and motives.

Discovery of Hadley's Hope

The Exomoon LV-426, now a Terraforming colony named Hadley's Hope, has been inhabited by families for over two decades. These settlers are working hard to transform the atmosphere into a breathable environment.

LV-426

The Breach

Tragedy strikes when an exploratory team discovers a derelict alien ship and accidentally triggers a breeding cycle. An alien egg hatches, leading to disaster as a creature attaches itself to one of the explorers.

Derelict Alien Ship

Communication Ceases

After communication with Hadley's Hope abruptly stops, Weyland-Yutani decides to send representatives to investigate the situation. They enlist Ripley’s help, urging her to confront the potential alien threat once again.

Ripley’s Reluctance

Haunted by her past encounters with the Alien, Ripley is initially reluctant to participate in the mission. However, after facing her nightmares about the creature, she ultimately agrees on the condition that extermination is prioritized.

Arrival at LV-426

Aboard the USS Sulaco, Ripley meets the Colonial Marines and the android Bishop. Despite feeling uneasy around Bishop, they land on LV-426, discovering the colony deserted and remnants of a struggle evident.

LV-426

Rescue of Newt

The team searches for survivors and finds a young girl named Newt, who has escaped the Alien attacks by hiding in the ventilation system. This encounter brings hope as they try to discover the fate of the other colonists.

Hadley's Hope

Colonists Found Cocooned

Using the colony's computer systems, the Marines locate missing colonists beneath the power station. Horrifyingly, they find several colonists cocooned, serving as hosts for Alien offspring.

Power Station

Ambush and Casualties

The mission descends into chaos as the Marines encounter a newborn Alien, resulting in multiple casualties. Panic sets in as the team realizes the gravity of their situation is escalating out of control.

Ripley Takes Command

With Gorman faltering under pressure, Ripley steps up to assert command. In a harrowing escape, she maneuvers their vehicle through an Alien nest to save her fellow marines who are under attack.

Alien Nest

Burke's Betrayal

Ripley uncovers a terrifying plot orchestrated by Burke, who intended to exploit the Alien for bioweapons. This revelation pushes Ripley into action as she realizes the dire stakes of their mission.

Face-Huggers Released

In a moment of brief safety, Ripley and Newt are confronted by two released face-Huggers, prompting a desperate alert. The Marines successfully intervene in time to eliminate the threats, but the tension remains high.

Medical Lab

Final Showdown

With Newt at risk, Ripley bravely descends into the depths of the processing station, facing the Alien queen in an intense battle. Utilizing her resourcefulness, she destroys the Alien eggs, provoking the queen's fury.

Processing Station

Escape into Hyper-sleep

After vanquishing the Alien queen, the survivors board the Sulaco, but not before discovering the queen has stowed away. In a climactic confrontation, Ripley defeats the creature and they finally enter hyper-sleep, hopeful for survival.

USS Sulaco

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Aliens (1986) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver)

Ellen Ripley is a resourceful and strong-willed character, marked by her traumatic experiences from the first film. She evolves from a reluctant participant in the mission to a determined leader willing to face her fears in order to save Newt and her fellow marines.

🦸‍♀️ Hero 🎖️ Leader 😨 Traumatized

Carter Burke (Paul Reiser)

Carter Burke is the corporate representative whose greed drives the plot's central conflicts. Initially appearing as a supportive ally, his true motives unfold, revealing him as a manipulative figure willing to place others in danger for his ambitions.

💰 Greedy 🕵️‍♂️ Manipulative

Newt (Carrie Henn)

Newt is a young girl who embodies innocence and resilience. Her cleverness in evading danger and forming a bond with Ripley serves as a focal point for Ripley's protective instincts, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

👧 Survivor 💔 Innocent

Hicks (Michael Biehn)

Corporal Dwayne Hicks is a solid and reliable marine who becomes a key ally to Ripley during the crisis. His bravery and willingness to support Ripley reinforces themes of teamwork and loyalty amid chaos.

⚔️ Brave 👨‍✈️ Loyal

Setting

Uncover the settings of Aliens (1986), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

57 years after the events of *Nostromo*

The time period in *Aliens* is marked by the aftermath of the first encounter with the Alien species, leading to skepticism and military exploration. It showcases a future where space travel is feasible, and corporations seek to exploit exotic life forms, highlighting themes of corporate greed and human survival.

Location

Zeta Reticuli, LV-426, Hadley's Hope

Zeta Reticuli is a binary star system known for its potential to host life, while LV-426 is an exomoon that has been transformed into Hadley's Hope, a terraforming colony. The colony is an ambitious project where families have worked to create a livable environment but ultimately becomes the site of a catastrophic alien encounter.

🌌 Space 🏙️ Colony

Themes

Explore the core themes of Aliens (1986). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🔫

Survival

Survival is a central theme in *Aliens*, as Ripley battles not only the alien threat but also the duplicity of corporate interests. The film explores the lengths to which individuals will go to protect themselves and loved ones in the face of overwhelming danger, emphasizing resilience and resourcefulness.

👩‍🚀

Feminism

Ellen Ripley emerges as a strong, complex female protagonist in a genre traditionally dominated by male characters. Her determination to confront danger and protect Newt reflects themes of motherhood and female empowerment, breaking gender stereotypes in action and science fiction.

💔

Betrayal

Betrayal is a significant theme as Ripley confronts the treacherous motives behind the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's actions. The revelation of Burke's deceitful intentions adds layers of tension and distrust among the characters, contributing to the film's dramatic stakes.

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