Movies News Talk
A white sweat bead rolls down Ash's head before he sets out to assassinate Ripley in Alien. Moments later, as Park clubs him to "death," a similar white liquid leaks out of his body, exposing how differently his body's composition is from that of a human. Early on, this is hinted to in a scene where Ash apparently takes a glass of milk as the other crew members eat a standard human lunch. Given the white filth his body releases upon his decapitation, it is clear he was not consuming milk in the past but rather the lifeblood or fuel his mechanical system depends on.
One could argue that Ash's white fluid use reflects his synthetic character. His physical form is quite human, and even his bodily processes seem to be human. But the white fluid in his body hints that he is not quite human. In a future when Androids are more widespread, this is a subdued yet successful approach to hint at Ash's actual nature.
Thick cables emerge from Ash's neck when his head separates from his body, exposing how, much as a human, the Android has its own distinct anatomy. The white liquid was most likely the hydraulic fluid running through the Android's wire, preserving the mechanical systems' functionality, much as the blood's circulation in the human body stimulates essential activities. Symbolically, the white fluid can also be seen as another visual depiction of too strong sexual imagery in the Alien film series.
While androids in popular culture are typically shown as simple metal pieces and synthetic covers, Ash's internal composition with the white fluid makes him seem more "organic" or "human." It is difficult not to consider the fluid as another continuation of Alien's investigation of issues concerning the dread of bodily intrusion and violation given its quite milky and organic look. It is a small detail that heightens the film's dread.
Though unexpected as Alien's Ash synthetic identity reveals, the film deftly foreshadows it with one small clue in a prior scene. Although Alien by Ridley Scott has several turns, one of its most startling discoveries is when Ash's true Android identity is revealed. Ripley visits Mother in the second half of the movie and discovers that Ash has been told to come back with the alien, therefore discounting the crew's safety.
Ripley is enraged by this disclosure for obvious reasons and seeks to confront Ash upon realizing his actual intentions. Ash becomes violent and tries to strangle her based on what Ridley Scott's film follows. Parker reveals he is an Android when he shows up on time and smashes Ash's skull off his shoulders though. After being reunited, Ash tells the crew they have no hope of surviving against the extraterrestrial, hence this sequence signals a dramatic change in the plot of the movie.
Renowned director Ridley Scott is well-known for his exquisite visual approach and skillful character building. Among numerous innovative movies he has helmedial Blade Runner, Gladiator, and The Martian. Director Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror-thriller Alien tracks the crew of a spacecraft called the Nostromo. Considered as a masterwork of the science fiction subgenre, Alien is evidence of Scott's skill in crafting provocative and intriguing films. The deft handling of tension, terror, and ambiance in the movie keeps viewers on the tip of their seats.
The deft use of foreshadowing throughout the film is evidence of Scott's dedication to produce a highly detailed universe. Alien's foreshadowing makes one uncomfortable and eager, a mix that is both terrifying and satisfying.