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Alien: Covenant

Alien: Covenant is a 2017 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and written by John Logan and Dante Harper.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Alien: Covenant is a 2017 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and written by John Logan and Dante Harper. It is the sixth film in the Alien franchise and a sequel to Prometheus (2012), following the crew of a colony ship that lands on a dangerous uncharted world. The film was distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Plot

The crew of the colony ship Covenant diverts to a seemingly habitable planet after an onboard emergency. There, they encounter the synthetic David and a hostile alien threat.

Production and release

Alien: Covenant was directed by Ridley Scott and released in 2017 by 20th Century Fox. It runs for 122 minutes and was released theatrically on 19 May 2017.

Place in the franchise

The film is a sequel to Prometheus and part of the broader Alien series. It was positioned as a bridge between Prometheus and the original Alien.

Reception

The available sources identify the film as a science fiction horror release and list its runtime, rating, and genre information, but do not provide a full critical consensus.

Key facts

  • Alien: Covenant is directed by Ridley Scott and released in 2017.
  • It is the sixth film in the Alien franchise and a sequel to Prometheus (2012).
  • The film is set in 2104 and centres on the colony ship Covenant.
  • The story follows the crew after they discover a dangerous alien threat on a paradise planet.
  • The film connects the events of Prometheus to the original Alien film.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally, including in Canada, as part of the long-running Alien franchise that has a significant audience among Canadian viewers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Alien: Covenant?
Alien: Covenant is a 2017 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and set in the Alien universe.
Is Alien: Covenant a sequel?
Yes. It is a sequel to Prometheus (2012) and the sixth film in the Alien series.
Who stars in Alien: Covenant?
The film features Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, and Danny McBride, among others.
When is Alien: Covenant set?
The film is set in the year 2104.
What is the main story of Alien: Covenant?
A colony ship’s crew lands on an apparently habitable planet and discovers a deadly alien threat.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien:_Covenant
    Supports: 2017 release, director, writers, franchise position, cast, and plot overview.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alien_covenant
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, distributor, release date, runtime, and production details.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/alien-covenant-2017
    Supports: Film’s placement as a direct sequel to Prometheus and general plot context.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2316204/
    Supports: Plot synopsis and release information.
  5. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/movie/alien-covenant/details/
    Supports: Synopsis, release date, runtime, and genre.
  6. IGN — https://www.ign.com/wikis/alien/Movie_-_Alien:_Covenant_(2017)
    Supports: Setting in 2104 and connection to the Alien franchise.