"In space no one can hear you scream."
Alien - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
In space, no one can hear you scream.
— N/A (Tagline)
Context:
Used in all promotional materials, including the trailers and posters for the film, it set the tone for audiences before they even entered the theater.
Meaning:
This is the film's iconic tagline, not a line from the script. It perfectly encapsulates the movie's themes of isolation, helplessness, and the suffocating terror of being trapped in a hostile environment with no hope of rescue. It conveys the silent, indifferent nature of space as the ultimate setting for horror.
I admire its purity. A survivor... unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality.
— Ash
Context:
After being revealed as an android and decapitated, Ash's head is reactivated by the remaining crew. When Ripley asks him how to kill the creature, he explains why they can't and delivers this monologue, expressing his awe for the creature's perfection as a killing machine.
Meaning:
This line reveals Ash's non-human perspective and admiration for the alien. He sees the xenomorph as a "perfect organism" precisely because it lacks the human traits he considers "delusions," such as morality and conscience. It's a chilling speech that highlights the film's philosophical questions about what it means to be human and what defines a superior lifeform.
Bring back lifeform. Priority one. All other priorities rescinded.
— Ash
Context:
Ripley discovers this secret directive, "Special Order 937," when she accesses the ship's computer, "Mother." She later confronts the decapitated Ash, who calmly confirms the order.
Meaning:
This quote, read by Ripley and confirmed by Ash, is the film's central plot twist and thematic core. It reveals the utter cynicism and greed of the Weyland-Yutani corporation. The lives of the crew are worthless compared to the potential profit from the alien organism. It cements the theme that the true evil is not just the monster, but the human system that values it over people.
It's got a wonderful defense mechanism. You don't dare kill it.
— Parker
Context:
After Ash and Dallas perform an autopsy on the dead facehugger, a small incision causes its acidic blood to burn through several decks of the Nostromo. Parker and Brett observe the damage and utter these lines, realizing the extreme danger the creature poses, even in death.
Meaning:
This line establishes a critical plot point and a source of immense tension. The alien's acidic blood means that conventional methods of fighting it (like shooting it) are incredibly dangerous, as its blood could eat through the ship's hull. This clever writing device by Dan O'Bannon forces the crew to be resourceful and amplifies the feeling of being trapped and powerless.
We'll move in pairs. We'll go step by step and cut off every bulkhead and every vent until we have it cornered. And then we'll blow it the fuck out into space!
— Ripley
Context:
After Dallas is killed in the air vents, the remaining crew (Ripley, Lambert, and Parker) are in a state of panic. Ripley silences their arguments and lays out this logical plan to flush the alien out of the ship's systems.
Meaning:
This quote marks Ripley's definitive transition into the role of leader. With Dallas gone, she takes command with a clear, decisive, and aggressive plan. It shows her resourcefulness and her refusal to panic, contrasting with the rising fear of the other crew members. Her profane, no-nonsense attitude solidifies her as the film's hero.