Three years have passed since Alien Day 2021, marking the beginning of our journey to dissect the iconic costumes from the original Alien films starring Sigourney Weaver. We kicked off by delving into John Mollo’s military finesse, honed through his Academy Award-winning work on Star Wars: A New Hope, and marveled at H.R. Giger’s chilling Xenomorph designs in Ridley Scott’s classic 1979 film. The following year, 2022, we explored Emma Porteous’s innovative sportswear creations, including the legendary “Alien Stompers,” in James Cameron’s Aliens. In 2023, David Perry and Bob Ringwood treated us to a masterclass in costume craftsmanship in David Fincher’s Alien³. And now, on this Alien Day 2024, we turn our gaze to the Alien: Resurrection costumes, helmed by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet and penned by Joss Whedon.
In this haunting addition to the Alien universe, we are boarding USM Auriga. While the ship might seem like a good hang with fun amenities such as a basketball court and a revolving door of hot mercenaries, the USM is sitting on a dark secret. In the next chapter, Alien: Resurrection, set two centuries after the events of Alien 3, Ellen Ripley is cloned and is used to breed a legion of very cranky Xenomorphs. The United Systems Military (USM) aims to harness the Xenomorphs for study aboard the spaceship, employing abducted humans as hosts. To no one’s surprise, chaos ensues as the Aliens break free from captivity. Ripley, alongside a group of mercenaries, strives to flee the Auriga and prevent its arrival on Earth while combating the relentless threat of the Xenomorphs.
Although the film’s plot may have been predictable, and those who fell victim to the Xenomorphs arguably brought it upon themselves, one cannot deny the palpable presence of a sinister, grungy, and undeniably sexual undertone in Alien: Resurrection. The immersive sets and the iconic creature design, inspired by the great H.R. Giger, contribute significantly, but it’s the work of costume designer Bob Ringwood that truly sets the tone once again. You will recognize the iconic work of Bob Ringwood in a plethora of classic films such as Dune (1984), Excalibur, Batman Returns, Star Trek: Nemesis, and so many more!
Getting into the costumes, we have to begin with the return of our hero, Ellen Ripley. Well, kind of… more like Ellen Ripley’s clone, Ellen 8. Being a clone with DNA combined with that of the Xenomorphs, Ripley comes to this story with enhanced abilities such as boosted physical strength and reflexes, blood with corrosive properties, and a telepathic connection with the Xenomorphs. She is almost superhero like, but the connection to the Xenomorphs makes her more of an antihero. With that in mind, Ringwood took an untraditional approach when it came to Ripley’s costume this time.
Instead of the very put-together, utilitarian, uniformed look we typically see Ripley in, we got to meet her dark side. In Alien: Resurrection, Ripley is clad in a ribbed leather vest in a reddish-brown hue. The ribbing on the vest accentuates Ripley’s silhouette, lending her a distinct triangular appearance which adds to the sinister guise that Ripley carries. Between the linear shape of the costume, the slicked back hair, and the dark environment, it is no wonder the mercenaries on board the ship are hesitant to work together with Ripley.
Costume Photos Provided By Julien’s Auctions
While the events of Alien: Resurrection take place in 2381, this was very much an Alien film made in the late nineties. The grunge, rock and roll aesthetic was alive and well in Ripley’s costume, speaking to the fascinating movement happening at the time in fashion and costume design. This led me to do a deeper dive into what was inspiring Ringwood at the time. Of course, it is said that Ringwood was inspired by none other than fashion designer, Jean Paul Gaultier, who had just wrapped designing the infamous costumes for The Fifth Element. Then it hit me. Just a couple years before, Gaultier had worked with Alien: Resurrection director Jean-Pierre Jeunet on the 1995 science fantasy film The City of Lost Children which also starred Ron Perlman who played Johner in Alien: Resurrection. This is a fascinating connection and just adds even further certainty to my claim that the nineties made up some of the golden years in science fiction costume history.
Speaking of the nineties, we must discuss the introduction of Winona Ryder’s character, Annalee Call. As we discover, Call harbors a secret, a recurring motif in the Alien films. Call is, in fact, a secret Auton, a synthetic humanoid machine that frequently appears in this franchise. In many ways, I find glimpses of the original Ellen Ripley in Call. She exhibits care, courage, and an air of authority. These attributes are further enhanced by the costume designed by Ringwood.
Call is famously adorned in a practical jumpsuit reminiscent of Ripley’s costume in Aliens. However, Ringwood imbued this look with a futuristic edge, considering the film’s setting over two hundred years later. The incorporation of sharp lines, ribbing, and color blocking in Call’s attire speaks to Ringwood’s subtly fashion-forward approach, which complements the audience’s immersion in the horrifying experience without detracting from it.
Another newcomer to the Alien universe is Johner, portrayed by Ron Perlman. Johner assumes a leadership role among the mercenaries who arrive on the Betty. While we love Ron Perlman, Johner comes off as a rather crude and self-centered individual with little emotional investment in anyone’s survival besides his own. Nevertheless, it’s hard not to appreciate the rugged, warrior-like persona he embodies. Johner’s Alien: Resurrection costumes designed by Ringwood, serves a practical purpose for his mercenary role. However, Ringwood adds depth to it by incorporating elements such as a bracer, an arm belt, and a stylized collar, infusing the ensemble with a distinct science-fiction flair.
Overall, Ringwood created a cohesive look that was seen throughout the cast. Together, this crew of characters fit perfectly into this nightmare. By that, I mean it was believable. Bob Ringwood’s costumes gave the characters a futuristic flair, while remaining grounded. The ageing and dying led by the costume department emphasized the trauma felt by these characters, helping the audience believe in the horror. Between the sweat, the distressed fabric, and the damp clothing caused by a unfortunate underwater incident – the costumes exuded realism making Alien: Resurrection an immersive experience.
This deep dive wouldn’t be complete without talking about Xenomorph friends! If you remember from our first deep dive into Alien, the Xenomorph originally started as a rubber suit made from a plaster-cast using plasticine and sculpted by H.R. Giger using all sorts of weird items, including old Rolls-Royce tubes, snake vertebrae, and animal meat to create the shape of the monster. That design has lived on for decades and is seen repeatedly in Alien: Resurrection (even though H.R. Giger was hardly credited at the time of the films release).
We also get to meet a rather interesting Xenomorph character known affectionately as the Newborn. The Newborn is a hybrid crossed between the Alien Queen carried in Ripley and human DNA. While this creature design was interesting to say the least, this was in fact an animatronic and not a costume like the original Xenomorph of 1979. I have to bring up this creature though because the history is quite scandalous, going back to the original design and ideas posed by Joss Whedon. When you are done here, take some time to read on about that story.
Alien: Resurrection (20th Century Fox, 1997)
There we have it! While Alien: Resurrection is a polarizing film in the Alien series there is no denying the masterclass visual storytelling. Bob Ringwood’s Alien: Resurrection costumes encapsulate the essence of the late nineties while maintaining a futuristic allure. Through his meticulous attention to detail, Ringwood crafted attire that not only suited the characters’ roles but also contributed to the film’s immersive atmosphere. Ringwood’s ability to infuse realism into the costumes, from the aging and distressing techniques to the attention to minute details, played a crucial role in enhancing the audience’s belief in the horror unfolding on screen. In essence, Ringwood’s Alien: Resurrection costumes not only complemented the film’s narrative but also added depth and authenticity to its nightmarish world.
Thank you for joining me for Alien Day. This wraps up our series exploring the costumes of the Alien films centered around Ellen Ripley. However, I hardly think our work here is done. In fact, Prometheus is one of my absolute favorite films. Same time next year?
Works Cited
Barrett, Wyatt. “Julien’s Plans April Auction of Costumes, Props from Hollywood Blockbusters.” Auction Central News, 20 May 2021, http://www.liveauctioneers.com/news/auctions/upcoming-auctions/juliens-plans-april-auction-of-costumes-props-from-hollywood-blockbusters/.
Gunning, Cathal. “Alien: Resurrection’s Newborn Xenomorph Was Originally Way Worse.” ScreenRant, 12 Feb. 2022, screenrant.com/alien-resurrection-newborn-xenomorph-original-design-genitals-fail-explained/.
Ruiz, Fran. “Alien Movies in Order: Chronological and Release.” Space.Com, Space, 1 Nov. 2022, http://www.space.com/alien-movies-in-order.
Sigourney Weaver Ripley Screen-Used Costume from Alien Resurrection – with DVD, http://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/381/lot/154410/SIGOURNEY-WEAVER-RIPLEY-SCREEN-USED-COSTUME-FROM-ALIEN-RESURRECTION-WITH-DVD. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
