Ridley Scott's 1979 film "Alien" has been admired and discussed for years. The powerful yet fleeting image of the alien as well as its connection to the ship and crew is both fascinating and disturbing. While many critics have speculated as to the nature of "Alien" and its symbolism, few have commented on its role as related to the myth of Demeter and Persephone. This may be due to the ambiguity in the assignment of the …showed first 75 words of 604 total…

…showed last 75 words of 604 total…and thus she has a chance to return home (which she successfully does in the end.) The alien itself is easily the hardest character to fit into the myth. Whether it's physical connection with the ship insinuates that it represents Hades, or perhaps just the violence related with rape and abduction, it does not clearly take on any role. Regardless, mythic elements are clearly abundant in the film, making it a classic for all time.