Aliens

Rachael Madden-Connor

Sci-Fi

 

Movie

 

Adults Only

 

Violence; language; frightening scenes

 

Grief & loss, PTSD

 

Aliens (1986) stars Sigourney Weaver, who reprises her role as Ellen Ripley from the film Alien (1979). In Alien, Ripley was the lone survivor of a cargo ship overtaken by a deadly alien creature. At the end of the film, she entered hypersleep in an escape shuttle, hoping that rescuers would find her. Aliens opens with rescuers locating Ripley many years later. In the first part of the film, Ripley attempts to come to terms with what happened to her and her crew in outer space; she later joins a group of Marines on their mission to a remote planet, as they search for and combat the deadly alien species. Counselors could watch this film for a study in post-traumatic stress disorder.Ripley experiences numerous symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, distressing dreams, detachment, and hyperarousal. The second part of the film features a young girl named Newt, who is similarly traumatized.

 

Aliens also examines the themes of grief and loss. At the beginning of the film, Ripley learns of her daughters death, and Newt has lost her family, too. One of the most striking aspects of Ripley's character is that she is not actually fearless. Sigourney Weaver (who was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance) does a phenomenal job of displaying Ripley's intense fear, as well as her resolve to face that fear down. Counselors may enjoy the film for its portrayal of a strong, independent, capable, and intelligent woman who overcomes tremendous obstacles.