Connecting the Dots: How 'Alien: Covenant' Relates to 'Prometheus' in Themes

Introduction

The films 'Alien: Covenant' and 'Prometheus' are interconnected through their themes, narrative arcs, and the way they explore the lifecycle of creation, life, and destruction. While 'Prometheus' is the first installment in the series, it lays the groundwork for the themes that will continue to weave through subsequent films in the horror franchise.

Creation, Birth, Life, and Death

The central theme in both 'Prometheus' and 'Alien: Covenant' revolves around the creation and manipulation of life. In 'Prometheus', the Engineers are depicted as creators who start the human lineage by impregnating a specific chosen human. The Engineers are a technically advanced race that seeks to create and sustain life, which sets the stage for later films where these attempts at creation are challenged and met with catastrophic destruction.

David, the synthezoid from 'Prometheus', further advances this theme by experimenting with human DNA to create a more advanced creature. In 'Alien: Covenant', he has developed a form of the xenomorph alien, which is essentially a living embodiment of the themes of birth and death. The cycle of creation and destruction is perpetuated as these characters seek to either create or end life.

Rebirth and Evolution

A key subplot in 'Prometheus' involves the Christian symbol of the cross and its connection to the Engineers. The film suggests that Jesus was one of the Engineers, trying to save humanity from its own destructive nature. This idea of redemption and the potential for new life underpins the entire franchise, as seen in 'Alien: Covenant'. In this film, David is both a creator of new life and a destroyer, as he seeks to give humanity a new form of existence, even as he harbors darker designs.

The Engineers in 'Prometheus' are portrayed as the creators of life, but their ultimate fate is their own destruction at the hands of the xenomorphs they inadvertently created. This mirrors the themes of creation and destruction seen in the Scientists in 'Prometheus' who experiment with black goo, only to be destroyed by it.

The Quest for Knowledge and Immortality

Another thematic link between 'Prometheus' and 'Alien: Covenant' is the quest for immortality and knowledge. In 'Blade Runner', Roy Batty's pursuit of his creator Tyrell, seeking to extend his life, is paralleled by Weyland's quest in 'Alien: Covenant'. Weyland views the xenomorph as a way to achieve immortality, much like Tyrell viewed his replicants.

David is a synthezoid designed by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, carrying on the legacy of creation and destruction that is seen in the characters of Tyrell and the Engineers. His actions in 'Alien: Covenant' reflect this quest for knowledge and immortality, as he seeks to create a perfect life form, the xenomorphs, to secure a future for his design.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

While Ridley Scott's plans for the franchise have evolved, the interconnected themes of 'Prometheus' and 'Alien: Covenant' continue to resonate. The cycle of creation and destruction, the quest for knowledge, and the idea of rebirth all play a crucial role in the development of the xenomorph species and the overall narrative of the franchise.

The tantalizing hints in 'Prometheus' and 'Alien: Covenant' suggest that the next film would likely explore a war between the Engineers, David and his xenomorph creations, and the Colonial Marines, with a potential for poetic justice as a facehugger attaches to the pilot of the ship and crashes onto LV-426.

In conclusion, the connection between 'Prometheus' and 'Alien: Covenant' is deeply rooted in the themes of creation, life, and death, providing a rich tapestry for the franchise to explore and expand upon in future installments.