Video: Did ALIEN Cross a Line? James Cameron Vs Ripley’s Underwear
Today marks the 41st Anniversary of Ridley Scott’s Alien, so it seemed like the perfect moment to revisit one of the film’s most controversial moments: Ripley’s “striptease”.
Related Article: This Day in Horror History: ALIEN Was Released in 1979
While the film is lauded as a paradigm of female empowerment, some found the scene where Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) strips down to her undershirt and panties offensive. Even James Cameron (who helmed the sequel, Aliens, in 1986) felt the moment of objectification “stepped over the line”.
For a deep dive into Cameron’s statement and an examination of the controversial moment from Alien, check out the video below produced by the YouTubers at Alien Theory. Weaver herself weighs in on what she and Scott intended to convey, and how the scene could have turned out.
Video Description:
James Cameron brought the Ripley character to new heights in his 1986 sequel to Alien, but why does he take issue with Sigourney Weaver’s strip scene in the original?
Do you agree with James Cameron that Ripley’s “striptease” crossed a line into voyeuristic objectification? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
