Look, Ridley Scott didn't come back to the Alien franchise to play nice. If you’re sitting on the couch debating whether to let your thirteen-year-old watch this, you need to know that Alien: Covenant is a beast. It’s way meaner than Prometheus. It’s grosser than the original 1979 classic. Honestly, it’s one of the most nihilistic big-budget movies I’ve seen in years.
So, you’re looking for an Alien Covenant parents guide because the PG-13 rating on some other sci-fi movies has made everything feel "safe." This isn't Marvel. This is a hard-R rated descent into body horror and philosophical dread.
The "Backburster" and Why the Gore is Different Here
Most of us remember the iconic chestburster from the first movie. It was shocking, sure, but it was almost clinical. Covenant takes that concept and makes it messy. There is a sequence early in the film involving a "backburster" that is genuinely difficult to watch. We aren’t just talking about a puppet popping out of a shirt; we’re talking about a prolonged, screaming, blood-spraying medical emergency in a cramped escape pod. It’s frantic. It’s wet. The sound design alone—the cracking of bone and the squelch of tissue—is enough to ruin anyone’s appetite.
The film carries a "Restricted" rating for a reason. Specifically, the MPAA cited "violence, language, and some sexuality/nudity." But "violence" is a broad term. In Covenant, the violence feels personal. Characters don't just die; they are hunted and disassembled. One scene involves a shower—a clear homage to Psycho—where the gore is dialed up to eleven. You see a tail through a person's head. You see blood mixing with water in high-definition. If your kid is sensitive to "slasher" tropes where characters are picked off one by one in gruesome ways, this is going to be a rough ride for them.
What about the language and the "other" stuff?
Surprisingly, the movie is fairly restrained with profanity compared to your average gritty war flick. You’ve got your handful of F-bombs—about 10 to 15—and the usual assortment of "shits" and "hells." It feels natural to the stress of the situation. I mean, if an alien was eating my captain, I’d probably swear too.
Then there’s the "sexuality" part. There is one scene with brief nudity and implied sexual activity, but it’s interrupted so violently by an alien attack that it’s more traumatizing than erotic. It’s not a movie about romance. It’s a movie about the cold, hard reality of biological survival.
Philosophical Dread: The Part No One Warns You About
When you read an Alien Covenant parents guide, people usually just list the number of head-bites. They miss the psychological aspect. This movie is dark. Like, really dark. It deals with the idea of a creator hating its creation. Michael Fassbender plays two androids, David and Walter, and his performance is eerie. There’s a scene where one android teaches the other to play a flute, and while there’s no "gore" there, the subtext is heavy with themes of megalomania and god-complexes.
- The Nihilism Factor: The movie suggests that humans are just "meat" for a higher (or more evolved) predator.
- Betrayal: Characters are betrayed by those they should trust.
- The Ending: Without spoiling it, the ending is not "happy." It is a massive "downer" that might leave younger viewers feeling hopeless or anxious.
Is your teen ready to discuss the idea that humanity might just be a mistake? That’s the real question. If they’ve seen The Last of Us or Game of Thrones, they can probably handle the gore. But the sheer bleakness of Covenant is a different flavor of "mature."
Breakdowns by Age: A Realistic Assessment
I hate those generic "13+ with caution" warnings. Let’s be real.
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Under 12: Absolutely not. No. There is zero reason for a child to see a Neomorph rip through a man's spine. It’s nightmare fuel that sticks.
13 to 15: This is the "maybe" zone. If they are huge horror fans and have seen Stranger Things or the IT movies, they might think it's "cool." However, the shower scene and the medical bay scene are significantly more graphic than anything in those shows. You should probably watch it first or be prepared to hit the fast-forward button.
16 and Up: Most older teens who are into cinema will appreciate the craft. It’s a beautifully shot movie. It’s directed by a master. At this age, they’ve seen worse on the internet, unfortunately. The "parents guide" here is more about being ready to talk about the movie afterward. It’s a talker.
How it Compares to Other "Alien" Movies
If you’re trying to calibrate your internal "is this okay?" meter, use the other films as a yardstick.
- Alien (1979): Mostly suspense. Covenant is much more graphic.
- Aliens (1986): An action movie. Covenant is a horror movie.
- Prometheus (2012): This is the direct predecessor. If they handled the "surgery" scene in Prometheus, they might handle Covenant, but Covenant is nastier.
The pacing of Covenant is also faster than the older films. It doesn't give you much time to breathe. Once the infection starts, it’s a non-stop barrage of panic and viscera.
Practical Advice for Parents
Don't just look at the rating. Look at your kid. Some sixteen-year-olds hate blood. Some twelve-year-olds are aspiring special effects artists who want to see how the prosthetics work.
The "Vibe" Check:
Ask them if they liked the "Chestburster" scene from the original. If they found it too gross, tell them to skip Covenant. If they thought it was "awesome," they’re probably the target audience.
The "Logic" Check:
The characters in this movie do some really stupid things. They land on an alien planet and don't wear helmets. They stick their faces into weird, pulsating eggs. For some kids, the "stupid character" trope is more frustrating than the monsters. It can lead to a lot of eye-rolling.
The After-Show:
If you do let them watch it, talk about David. Talk about the "Creation" theme. It turns a "scary monster movie" into an actual lesson in storytelling and subtext. It makes the experience constructive rather than just a jump-scare marathon.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch the first 20 minutes alone: The movie starts slow but hits a wall of violence around the 30-minute mark. Check that first "infection" scene in the medical bay. If that’s too much for you, it’s definitely too much for them.
- Check Common Sense Media: They have a great breakdown of specific "stats" (how many swears, how many kisses), but remember they tend to be a bit conservative.
- Screen the "Shower Scene": If you're worried about the mix of nudity and violence, jump to the final act and watch the shower sequence. It’s the most "slasher-y" part of the film.
- Contextualize the Gore: Explain that the movie is a "Body Horror" film. Understanding the genre helps separate the "gross-out" factor from actual trauma.
In the end, Alien: Covenant is a high-quality, high-octane horror film. It's not "trashy," but it is unapologetic. It’s a Ridley Scott film through and through—cold, beautiful, and deeply violent. If you decide to go for it, just make sure the lights are on and maybe have a bowl of popcorn ready to distract from the squelching sounds. Or don't eat. Actually, skipping the snacks might be a better move for this one.
Immediate Action Item: Go to YouTube and search for the "Alien Covenant: Phobos" short. It’s a promotional clip that shows the characters undergoing a psychological fear test. It’s a great way to gauge a teen's reaction to the tone of the movie without spoiling the actual plot. If they find the "Phobos" clip too intense, the movie is a hard pass.