Is Alien a slasher movie?

[Kara Strode]

There's a debate on another board I go on as to whether or not Alien is a slasher movie.

I say no. I think Alien is a sci-fi/horror movie that *may* have some slasher elements, but it's not a slasher movie.

[Franchise]

It's sci-fi to me, but I like the close quarters elements of it. Definitely creepy. Not a slasher though. You'd have to have a central Alien for that.

[HalloweeN63]

Originally posted by Kara Strode
There's a debate on another board I go on as to whether or not Alien is a slasher movie.

I say no. I think Alien is a sci-fi/horror movie that *may* have some slasher elements, but it's not a slasher movie.

I completely agree. I don't think it has any place on a Halloween board.

[Kara Strode]

I would agree with both of you.

When I think "slasher" I think of a madman running (or walking *wink*) around killing teenagers with a knife or something...like Halloween, Friday, NOES...Scream...but I do not think of Alien.

[LtRipley]

I think the first Alien is a slasher. Its a more adult slasher. The thing about regular slashers are that its always teens so for a slasher movie to work with more mature charecters the villian has to be a lot harder to defeat than your run of the mill Jason Vorhees.

It has a lot in common with Halloween really.

The deleted "cocoon" scene reminds me a lot fo the scene were Laurie finds all of her friends in the bedroom.

Also, theres the false ending were Ripley thinks she killed the alien but has not. Just like Laurie thinking she killed the shape but hadnt.

[Ninja]

Yeah, it has to be slashing with a knife of some sort for it to be a slasher flick. The aliens just tear people apart. Definately a sci-fi theme.

[FTL]

You said a debate? Unless this alien is wielding an ax, there is no debate. It's a sci-fi flick all the way, period. That's the beginning of the story and that's the end of the story.

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by Ninja
Yeah, it has to be slashing with a knife of some sort

sorry but thats just being a little toooo specific. What if the villian uses a lead pipe or a rope to kill the victims? Id still count that as a slasher flick.

[Kara Strode]

but the alien is not a psyho madman...the alien is a monster..that's my problem...and yes, in Halloween and various other slashers, a lead pipe or a rope might be used...but more often, a sharp object....there's none of that in Alien, by the Alien

Imagine the alien running around the ship with a knife...go ahead

[Franchise]

The alien kills on instinct alone. Not to just snuff out life.

[LtRipley]

Just because weapons are the norm why does that have to be the defining factor? The Alien does use sharpe objects. His tounge and claws.

I guess I just have different views of what makes a slasher film. I think 'bad guy kills lots of people in a haunted house like enviroment'.

I dont literally mean haunted house but I think you get what I mean.

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by Franchise
The alien kills on instinct alone. Not to just snuff out life.

Couldnt it be argued that The Shape kills on on instinct?

lol Im not trying to be arguementative at all, so I apologize if Im coming off that way.

[Kara Strode]

but the very definition of "slasher film" is a madman killing teenagers usually apart from adults with a knife or other object. (yes, my nerd self pulled that from online in two different places) The Alien is using an extension of itself. To me, that's monster movie territory.

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by Kara Strode
but the very definition of "slasher film" is a madman killing teenagers usually apart from adults with a knife or other object. (yes, my nerd self pulled that from online in two different places) The Alien is using an extension of itself. To me, that's monster movie territory.

lol wow I honestly didnt realize horror movies were so classified.

Now that you mention 'monster movie' I agree with that as the correct classification.

As for whether 'monster movies' have a place on this board is debatable but Id say all horror movies have a place on this board.

[Kara Strode]

I do tend to show my dorkiness don't I? Throwing out definitions like that? lol

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by Kara Strode
I do tend to show my dorkiness don't I? Throwing out definitions like that? lol

everyone has their dork thing lol. Id say definaitions are a good thing to know!

So umm can we get an Alien subforum? pretty please? I know its not 'slasher' but I dont see why we have to confine to that genre. Im pretty sure most people who like the original Halloween are also a fan of the original Alien. Maybe we should do a poll?

[Kara Strode]

psst...there is a poll for the last subforum ;)

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by Kara Strode
psst...there is a poll for the last subforum ;)

err Im lazy and cant find it.. point me in the direction?

lol.

is Alien on the poll?

[HalloweeN63]

I don't want Alien. That'd be ridiculous on this board. You're so biased, lol, get over it man. I think people would actually laugh if they saw an Alien forum on here.

[Kara Strode]

here you go!
http://www.ohmb.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=145

[FTL]

I see it as this.

Mad man go crazy, mad man take

butcher knife,
ax,
machete,
chainsaw,
pipe,
spear,
pole,
pen,
pencil,
fork,
etc.

and brutally guts, slashes and dices a teenager/adult, then that would stand as a SLASHER movie because that's all that is going on and happening.

Now Alien is a different story. It's an alien. The only way it kills is by using it's teeth, basically laying a big fat one down your throat, or spraying it's green acid on ya. Plus, add the space theme and what's happening altogether, it ends up, to me, as a sci-fi film.

That is all.

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by HalloweeN63
I don't want Alien. That'd be ridiculous on this board. You're so biased, lol, get over it man. I think people would actually laugh if they saw an Alien forum on here.

I dont see why you think its so farfetched. If a movie like SAW gets a forum why not a classic like Alien?

[Kara Strode]

I need to get a speech ready for such a question.

Saw is not getting it's "own forum" it is part of a revoloving forum that will feature new horror releases...first up is Saw. It will move down when another horror movie is released and it will replace it as a forum

[HalloweeN63]

Originally posted by LtRipley
I dont see why you think its so farfetched. If a movie like SAW gets a forum why not a classic like Alien?

It may be a classic, but not the kind of classic that belongs on this kind of forum. I'm sure there's other boards out there for you to discuss Alien if you love it that much.

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by Kara Strode
I need to get a speech ready for such a question.

Saw is not getting it's "own forum" it is part of a revoloving forum that will feature new horror releases...first up is Saw. It will move down when another horror movie is released and it will replace it as a forum

lol I actually knew that already. sorry but it was the best forum to take a shot at in defense of Alien.

Although Id say Alien is a better film than each oth the horror forums we have already. It just happens that the others are more stereotypical slasher movies.

[Ninja]

Originally posted by HalloweeN63
I don't want Alien. That'd be ridiculous on this board. You're so biased, lol, get over it man. I think people would actually laugh if they saw an Alien forum on here.

Thank you for saying what I wanted to say but couldn't word out in my head. I probably would have said something mean too. Thanks Ray!

Now go make me an avatar fool.

[Kara Strode]

that's because you have mad love for the Alien movies ;)

[HalloweeN63]

I hope I'm not offending you in any way Ripley.

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by HalloweeN63
It may be a classic, but not the kind of classic that belongs on this kind of forum. I'm sure there's other boards out there for you to discuss Alien if you love it that much.

I reallly dont understand where your attitude is coming from at all. This is a board for a horror movie series. Alien is a horror/sci fi hybrid film. I would argue most Halloween fans enjoy the series or some installments of it. Did you see the AVP thread on the old UHMB and how long it was?

I dont see why you've chosen to be so rude to me on this subject but it isnt necissary. I simply asked nicely for one and was forwarded to a poll (which I voted in). Its not like Ive started a campaign of spam to get one or something like that.

[Kara Strode]

most of us know how to take you, Ray ;) Most of us know when you really really mean it....(or so I thought)

Rip, take Ray with a grain of salt...he's just voicing his opinion on the matter. I wouldn't necessarily want to see an Alien forum myself because it's more sci-fi than horror to me...

[HalloweeN63]

Originally posted by Ninja
Now go make me an avatar fool.

That's no way to ask for an avatar ;). You know my AIM.. and NO fucking fetus shit lolol

[Ninja]

Originally posted by Kara Strode
I need to get a speech ready for such a question.

Saw is not getting it's "own forum" it is part of a revoloving forum that will feature new horror releases...first up is Saw. It will move down when another horror movie is released and it will replace it as a forum

Are the old forums just gonna become inactive and then archived so posts aren't lost? Or how exactly does it work?

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by HalloweeN63
I hope I'm not offending you in any way Ripley.

lol not really. you jsut seem overly offended by my request.

[HalloweeN63]

Originally posted by LtRipley
I reallly dont understand where your attitude is coming from at all. This is a board for a horror movie series. Alien is a horror/sci fi hybrid film. I would argue most Halloween fans enjoy the series or some installments of it. Did you see the AVP thread on the old UHMB and how long it was?

I dont see why you've chosen to be so rude to me on this subject but it isnt necissary. I simply asked nicely for one and was forwarded to a poll (which I voted in). Its not like Ive started a campaign of spam to get one or something like that.

I wasn't even trying to be rude at all. Sorry.

[Ninja]

Originally posted by HalloweeN63
That's no way to ask for an avatar ;). You know my AIM.. and NO fucking fetus shit lolol

:eek:

Deal. I'll be talking to you soon baby. I'm heading to bed shortly though.

[freethy]

This is easy, think of Alien as a lion that has escaped from a zoo and goes about a city attacking people. Would that be considered a slasher movie? Hell no, would a werewolf movie be classed as a slasher flick? HELL NO!

Go back to that board and tell them they are all WRONG! lol

[Maxvayne]

I think you guy's are taking this talk in the wrong way.

There is no doubt that Alien is not a slasher film.


.....but it might be a horror film.

An evil creature can be a monster in our thought's....in which the Alien is a creature.

It put's up scares left and right.It has a dark and atomospheric tone.

I would put it as a half horror half sci fi fmovie.


The problem with debating over this is that the rest of the series are Sci Fi film's. Which mostly over clouds this even being part of a horror film, but I won't fall for that.

[Kara Strode]

In my original post I said that I thought it was sci-fi/horror

[Maxvayne]

Originally posted by Kara Strode
In my original post I said that I thought it was sci-fi/horror


I know....debating it as a slasher is just mindless though.

[Kara Strode]

someone else raised it at another board, not me...lol I just wanted to see how it'd go over here.

[boogeyman87]

LtRipley, I persuade you to vote for Sleepaway camp if you havent already voted. If you have voted i say extend my offer to another member. :)

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
LtRipley, I persuade you to vote for Sleepaway camp if you havent already voted. If you have voted i say extend my offer to another member. :)

I never saw that movie, so I cant vote for it. I voted other and picked Alien.

The reason I personally want an Alien forum so bad is because the only Alien related forums I've been able to find are AVP forums. I dont like AVP or the Predator films so it would be nice to have a solo Alien forum, especially on a forum I like so much. :)

Hmm, would Predator be a slasher film? He uses sharp weaponry. lol.

[boogeyman87]

Understood, but with alien your fighting a dead fight. With sleepaway camp it has a chance still. Only down by a bit next to the Exorcist.:rolleyes:

[halo thirty one]

Originally posted by LtRipley
Hmm, would Predator be a slasher film? He uses sharp weaponry. lol.

haha! i'm late to this thread, but i agree with the majority that alien, while a classic sci-fi/horror movie, is not a slasher flick. i wouldn't count predator as one either, even though they do use sharp weapons. monster movies seem more appropriate. i like freethy's comparison to the lions and werewolves. i don't know if alien deserves it's own forum, but i would definitely post in any threads about it.

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by halo thirty one
haha! i'm late to this thread, but i agree with the majority that alien, while a classic sci-fi/horror movie, is not a slasher flick. i wouldn't count predator as one either, even though they do use sharp weapons. monster movies seem more appropriate. i like freethy's comparison to the lions and werewolves. i don't know if alien deserves it's own forum, but i would definitely post in any threads about it.

Maybe we can get a monster movie forum then LOL.

[LtRipley]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Understood, but with alien your fighting a dead fight. With sleepaway camp it has a chance still. Only down by a bit next to the Exorcist.:rolleyes:

Eh I cant see how anyone would want an excorcist forum. Theres not much to discus anymore is there? After all the rediculous tv documentries about it whats left to know? and its not like anybody likes its sequels (well Ive never heard people say they like them)

How was the new one anyways?

[halo thirty one]

Originally posted by LtRipley
How was the new one anyways?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, snort!!! huh???? oh, the prequel?
it was surprizingly slow and boring for a renny harlin movie. and i thought the reason why they ditched paul schrader was because it was slow and boring. it had a couple of good scenes, but on the whole it doesn't come close to the original.

[gerry d]

Personally i would say Alien is more Horror Sci-Fi than a slasher movie.If you were to say Alien was a slasher movie would the same be said about Species?

cheers

[Franchise]

I love it. You guys are at one anothers throats over the forum choice. There's still time until the big giveaway. Oh wait. This isn't Season of the Witch. Nevermind.

[King Sly Joker]

My view is no,its more sci-fi than anything.But still a great series...

[Creepingmouth]

definitely Alien is not a slasher movie.It is a sci/fi movie with lot of gore

[myershall]

I will say thatit is a slasher film
No further comment

[SassyLassy]

Naw, Alien is a sci-fi flick. I can't really think of anything slasher-ish about it.

[LoomisFan4Life]

I agree its no slasher movie. I still like it though.

[Kara Strode]

holy thread from the dead, batman

3 months old?!

[matthew28]

no

[Chuck D]

Crew gets killed one by one by an evil entity (aka; guy in a suit). Slasher.

Wrong.

Alien is the perfect horror (read horror... not slasher) film. I can imagine how many, who obviously havent seen it, would assume that but it brilliantly emphasises terror through atmosphere and amazing set-pieces (Nostromo, Alien planet, strobe-effects etc). It's more of a haunted house-style horror than Jason by-the-numbers movie... focuses more on the situation and the reactions (build-up of suspense) rather than how gory or cool the next death scene is... although those short frame clips of the Alien tongue brain-gouching is fucking awesome!

[boogeyman87]

Originally posted by ChuckyDarko
Crew gets killed one by one by an evil entity (aka; guy in a suit). Slasher.

Wrong.

Alien is the perfect horror (read horror... not slasher) film. I can imagine how many, who obviously havent seen it, would assume that but it brilliantly emphasises terror through atmosphere and amazing set-pieces (Nostromo, Alien planet, strobe-effects etc). It's more of a haunted house-style horror than Jason by-the-numbers movie... focuses more on the situation and the reactions (build-up of suspense) rather than how gory or cool the next death scene is... although those short frame clips of the Alien tongue brain-gouching is fucking awesome!

Would you agree on sci-fi horror? Becuase just plain horror isnt cutting it. :)

[Chuck D]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Would you agree on sci-fi horror? Becuase just plain horror isnt cutting it. :)

Good point... definately sci-fi / haunted-house horror. Cant believe I forget to mention that too...

[Silverpsycho]

When I think slasher, I think of a killer toting a knife or something of that nature (machete, axe or sharp object). Even though all the Alien films are awesome and quite creepy...I don't consider them to be slasher films, let alone horror really. They are well made sci-fi flicks. I totally agree with what was said before that it would have to follow a main alien doing all the killing to really consider it receiving a "slasher" title.

[zombie commando]

It is a slasher film....and so is Jaws. Mull over that for a bit.....

[Trickster]

ALIEN has always been your old fashioned "haunted house" story set in space :-)

[SEXMACHINE]

Is the Godfather a comedy?

[FranchiseHatesMe]

Well pending on AVP they both should be considered ACTION movies now. Wheres my rolls eyes botton?

[FTL]

Originally posted by SEXMACHINE
Is the Godfather a comedy?

Those movies tend to be funny even when they are grim.

[FranchiseHatesMe]

Nobody can fuck with the goodhellas.

[zombie commando]

For all you people saying that Alien is a 'haunted house story', whoever said that a slasher movie had to star a human being wearing a mask?

[boogeyman87]

Nobody did. But alot of times you'll get this definition when looking up slasher films. "The slasher film is a sub-genre of the horror genre and is also known as a splatter film. Typically, a masked, psychotic person stalks and graphically kills teenagers who are away from adult supervision."

And when looking up Alien you get, "Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott, is an extremely popular and influential science fiction/horror film." So generally I'd think people would take these opinions. My own is that its a sci-fi-horror film. Could be Slasher, haunted house, monster or all.

[zombie commando]

It certainly follows the slasher formula to a 't' though. You got one killer stalking and killing a group of individuals one by one. The only difference is that it's an alien, and the setting is in space.

[boogeyman87]

Originally posted by zombie commando
It certainly follows the slasher formula to a 't' though. You got one killer stalking and killing a group of individuals one by one. The only difference is that it's an alien, and the setting is in space.

Yes your right. Thats the way it is. Until they start dividing slasher movies into seperate catagories and genres its all we have to call it.

[theevilisgone44]

Not even close. I think 'Alien' essentially created a genre all of its own by brilliantly combining elements of science fiction with elements of horror. By contrast, "slasher films" have little or nothing to do with sci-fi.

[theevilisgone44]

Originally posted by boogeyman87
Nobody did. But alot of times you'll get this definition when looking up slasher films. "The slasher film is a sub-genre of the horror genre and is also known as a splatter film. Typically, a masked, psychotic person stalks and graphically kills teenagers who are away from adult supervision."

And when looking up Alien you get, "Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott, is an extremely popular and influential science fiction/horror film." So generally I'd think people would take these opinions. My own is that its a sci-fi-horror film. Could be Slasher, haunted house, monster or all.

Sorry, I should have read your post before restating the same thing. :)

[zombie commando]

Originally posted by theevilisgone44
Not even close. I think 'Alien' essentially created a genre all of its own by brilliantly combining elements of science fiction with elements of horror. By contrast, "slasher films" have little or nothing to do with sci-fi.

So you consider Jason X a scifi film?

[theevilisgone44]

I consider 'Jason X' to be a mockery of a sci-fi film. Fortunately, this appeared to be the creators' intention. It had been several years since a 'Friday' film had been made, and the creators wanted to take an entirely different approach in order to rekindle moviegoers interest in the franchise. I mean, take a look at it, it's seems like it is intended to be a complete joke. The picture is certainly a "slasher" picture, only they added elements of sci-fi to it. Ever since 'Alien' was released, Hollywood has been trying to replicate it's success. Too bad it rarely works out.

[zombie commando]

Originally posted by theevilisgone44
I consider 'Jason X' to be a mockery of a sci-fi film. Fortunately, this appeared to be the creators' intention. It had been several years since a 'Friday' film had been made, and the creators wanted to take an entirely different approach in order to rekindle moviegoers interest in the franchise. I mean, take a look at it, it's seems like it is intended to be a complete joke. The picture is certainly a "slasher" picture, only they added elements of sci-fi to it. Ever since 'Alien' was released, Hollywood has been trying to replicate it's success. Too bad it rarely works out.

Sorry, you're wrong, it's a slasher film in space, just like Alien. Leprachaun pulled the same gig. Sure it's shit, but then again the last truly good Fthe13th was made over a decade ago. How do you begin determining what a sci fi film is and what isn't? I say if a film is to fit into a certain category, the category it fits into has to be the main focus of the movie. The main focus of Alien was horror, and the way they went about it was using the slasher formula. Therefore it is a slasher. Jason X's main focus was horror as well, and like Alien it attempted to provoke horror (however poorly) in a slasher movie fashion.

I think that's the main point most people miss when they start shuffling movies into categories. First you have to determine what the main focus of the movie is then work from there, otherwise you get chumps labeling movies like Killer Clowns from Outer Space as sci-fi pieces.

[theevilisgone44]

Originally posted by zombie commando
Sorry, you're wrong, it's a slasher film in space, just like Alien. Leprachaun pulled the same gig. Sure it's shit, but then again the last truly good Fthe13th was made over a decade ago. How do you begin determining what a sci fi film is and what isn't? I say if a film is to fit into a certain category, the category it fits into has to be the main focus of the movie. The main focus of Alien was horror, and the way they went about it was using the slasher formula. Therefore it is a slasher. Jason X's main focus was horror as well, and like Alien it attempted to provoke horror (however poorly) in a slasher movie fashion.

I think that's the main point most people miss when they start shuffling movies into categories. First you have to determine what the main focus of the movie is then work from there, otherwise you get chumps labeling movies like Killer Clowns from Outer Space as sci-fi pieces.

Ok, so this is a closed issue with you, not open to interpretation? Fair enough.

[FranchiseHatesMe]

Originally posted by zombie commando
Sorry, you're wrong, it's a slasher film in space, just like Alien. Leprachaun pulled the same gig. Sure it's shit, but then again the last truly good Fthe13th was made over a decade ago. How do you begin determining what a sci fi film is and what isn't? I say if a film is to fit into a certain category, the category it fits into has to be the main focus of the movie. The main focus of Alien was horror, and the way they went about it was using the slasher formula. Therefore it is a slasher. Jason X's main focus was horror as well, and like Alien it attempted to provoke horror (however poorly) in a slasher movie fashion.

I think that's the main point most people miss when they start shuffling movies into categories. First you have to determine what the main focus of the movie is then work from there, otherwise you get chumps labeling movies like Killer Clowns from Outer Space as sci-fi pieces. Actully if you wanna get tech it's really a comedy in space. ;)

[zombie commando]

Originally posted by theevilisgone44
Ok, so this is a closed issue with you, not open to interpretation? Fair enough.

I'm not open to wrong interpretations, no.

[theevilisgone44]

Originally posted by zombie commando
I'm not open to wrong interpretations, no.

Damn, tough crowd. You sound like someone who's right about a great many things.

[Loomis 91]

I've always considered Alien a Sci/Fi flick.

[Rich]

Alien is a body count sci-fi action adventure horror monster movie, but not a slasher movie.

A slasher movie implies a human (or at least once human) character stabbing people with sharp objects (usually found in a kitchen, garage, or hardware store) one by one.

With all due respect, calling Alien a slasher movie is an insult to Ridley Scott. Alien is in no way, shape or form a slasher movie.

Sorry Mr. Zombie Commando, but you are the one who's wrong my friend. It is a body count movie, but just because it has a body count does not make it a slasher movie. Frankenstein (1931) had a body count too, but it is not a slasher film.

[Darth Tyranus]

I consider it to be a melding of a "monster on the loose" movie with a sci-fi plot and in a futuristic setting.

It is the perfect blending of the sci-fi and horror genres.

[Rich]

Both the Alien and the Predator movies are hybrid movies. They are a mixture of horror, action, adventure, and sci-fi.

I guess I would consider Alien to be the first modern hybrid film. The original ones would be Creature from the Black Lagoon, Gojira, War of the Worlds, and all the old sci-fi/horror ufo and giant bug movies.

More current movies like Tremers and The Cave would not exist without Alien which in turn would not exist if it weren't for movies like It Camo from Another World or War of the Worlds or even Creature from the Black Lagoon.

[captainoneliner]

I never thought of it as a slasher movie... but when I first saw it, it scared me more than any slasher movie I had seen. Great film.

I like Aliens, too.. great popcorn movie.

[slasher2040]

more like a sci-fi suspense thriller

[FooFighter09]

A big killer thing is not a slasher movie!

[WhiteZombie]

Maybe. Follows Slasher formula. More of a Sci-fi Monster movie. Nothing wrong with that though

[Pasabi]

I agreewith Slasher2040 I would put it as a Sci Fi movie. Though I consider Predator 1 a action movie.