"Alien: Covenant" sets aside the uneven world-building and vague, sophomoric philosophizing of it's predecessor, "Prometheus", to deliver a horrifying tale that had me groaning in discomfort in the first 10 minutes, and slumped in despair by the end. Though borrowing heavily from it's predecessors, it was not as successful at building a slow crescendo of horror suspense as in "Alien", nor in establishing emotional bonds with those under threat, like Newt in "Aliens". Yet, knowing what's coming and watching monsters rip through body after frail body is enough to create a compounding sense of inevitability and dread.

Michael Fassbender returns to play the android David, as well as a newer model called Walter. As in many sci-fi tales with androids, he is easily the most interesting character on screen, especially in his interactions with his "brother" Walter. The erudite David sprinkles poetical quotes and literary allusions into the dialogue, adding some thematic depth to the proceedings.

However, in serving up, as if in answer to the questions raised by its predecessor about the meaning of human life, another merciless meat grinder of action horror, "Covenant" ultimately becomes an exercise in demonstrating the meaninglessness of suffering in a brutal and Godless universe. But isn't that why we go to see horror stories these days? Not for thrills and catharsis, not to test our mettle, but to have our souls crushed? In that sense, it succeeded terrifically.

★★☆ (2/3 stars)