Alien: Earth’s Xenomorph Effects: “Cheap” TV? Or Purposeful Nostalgia?

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And, far more often than not, fans have taken to those big swings. It very easily could have gone a different way with the introduction of the aforementioned cybernetic humans and the substantial number of new terrors that give the Xenomorph a run for its menace money. However, there is one aspect some fans seem to be taking issue with, and it has to do with the Xeno itself—undoubtedly the most iconic aspect of the franchise, tied with Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley. So, what about it are some vocal interweb commenters finding fault with? Let’s find out.

It’s Nostalgia Without Being Nostalgia Overload

For the most part, Alien: Earth takes massive steps forward for the franchise. It’s as if it is walking parallel to the film series, but with larger strides. Each new episode seems to introduce some new key creature or mechanized human being for audiences to wrap their heads around and decide how they fit within the nearly 50-year-old big screen IP.

So, if it is going to go back to the past for one character, why not make it one of the franchise’s two iconic presences, the Xenomorph? It was most prominently seen in the fifth episode, “In Space, No One…,” a flashback episode which essentially functions as a full Alien movie in just over an hour (making it the only one thus far that feels as though it’s perfectly in line with its big screen cohorts). And, for the most part, people’s reactions were glowing, like the example below.

#AlienEarth episode 5 felt like a full on alien film! this is easily the best episode of the series so far, and i loved finally learning what went down aboard the maginot THIS IS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT! pic.twitter.com/tUzJqZsyve

— sonia (@finalgirlsonia) September 3, 2025

One Redditor kicked off a thread about the tactics used in the episode to bring the Xeno to life. As they wrote, “…I feel its appearances haven’t been atmospheric or awe inspiring enough. There are some shots that ‘the man in a suit’ is way too evident for me.’”

There wasn’t much pushback on that notion, but the question is, what is so bad about “the man in a suit” tactic? It’s without a doubt a way of hearkening back to Bolaji Badelo’s work as the creature in Ridley Scott’s classic original film. Not to mention, an animatronic was also used for some closeup shots of the Xeno, which could be seen as a reference to the creation of the Xenos in Aliens. Then, of course, there’s CGI, which has been what was used ever since the release of Alien 3.

The combination of the suit, animatronics, and CGI has made some of the thread’s commenters feel like it looks cheap while other get that tug of nostalgia. On the former end, one commenter said they felt like the show was “showing it in too much light, which is having the ‘man in suit’ effect. Its head also looks to much like molded plastic.” On the latter, another commenter wrote that they “feel like it being an actually physical thing and not some CGI bulls**t thing is really adding to the experience.”

Let’s not forget, just last year, Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus was lauded for bringing the monster to life via the aforementioned trio of techniques. Trevor Newlin wore a practical suit to play the Xenomorph, while Robert Bobroczyki wore extensive prosthetics and makeup as the Offspring, and animatronics were also used. In fact, Álvarez made a point of prioritizing practical effects over CGI. And, while Alien: Earth arguably leans into CGI a bit more than Romulus for the Xenomorph, it’s still admirable it utilizes practical elements. It’s not something we see enough of these days, and we should always be grateful when we do.

What are your thoughts on the show’s version of the Xenos? Tell us below.