Just when we thought Mars might finally be quiet, NASA recently dropped a bombshell update: a rock sample collected by the Perseverance rover in Jezero Crater, nicknamed Cheyava Falls, shows what might be the clearest sign yet of ancient microbial life. And yes, you read that right.
While most of the rocks were identified as mudstones spotting “leopard-spots,” odd mineral patterns were also noticed, two minerals in particular: Vivianite and greigite. Additionally, instruments detected organic carbon and textures that resemble those found only in wet, low-oxygen environments (via The New Yorker and NASA).
Of course, scientists are excited by this new discovery (cautious, too). However, the idea that Mars may have hosted life feels like the perfect canvas for Hollywood’s wildest warnings. After all, Hollywood has been preparing us for this moment for years, because, throughout alien movie history, Martian life has always come with a price.
From spine-chilling horror to big-budget action and dreamy space epics, alien movies have been saying the same thing all along: don’t underestimate life on Mars. It isn’t some harmless curiosity; it’s wild, unpredictable, and just as likely to destroy us as amaze us.
And now, with Perseverance’s rock sample hinting at the possibility of ancient Martian microbes, those movies don’t just feel like entertainment anymore, but a prophecy we might actually be living through. That said, here’s a list of 10 Alien films that have been warning us all along not to mess with Martian life — and just what they might teach us now. Dig in!
10. Life (2017)
Released in 2017, Life featured astronauts David Jordan (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), Rory Adams (played by Ryan Reynolds), and Miranda North (played by Rebecca Ferguson), aboard the International Space Station. They soon find themselves on the cutting edge of the most important discoveries in human history: The first evidence of extraterrestrial life on Mars.
But as their crew conducts the research, the rapidly evolving life-form turns out to be far more intelligent and terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined. This is because the Martian organism nurtured by the scientists, dubbed “Calvin,” is not only intelligent and adaptable, but even merciless as it kills off the crew one by one.
9. Species (1995)
1995’s Species was the first installment from the titular franchise, but the idea for the storyline was nothing short of spine-chilling.
Starring Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Michael Madsen, Forest Whitaker, and Natasha Henstridge, the film’s plot featured a motley crew of scientists and government agents who try to track down a seductive extraterrestrial-human hybrid, Sil (played by Henstridge), before she successfully mates with a human male, which might result in the destruction of all humanity.
8. Ghosts of Mars (2001)
Directed by John Carpenter, Ghosts of Mars from 2001 is set on a colonized Mars in the 22nd century. Officer Melanie Ballard (played by Natasha Henstridge) and Sergeant Jericho (played by Jason Statham) travel to a mining outpost to transport a prisoner, but things take a turn for the worse as the cult classic flipped the script, showing that life on Mars isn’t just biological, it’s spiritual as well.
In the movie, miners on Mars accidentally awaken ancient Martian spirits. On the arrival of the officer and sergeant, they realise that demons of an ancient Martian civilisation have possessed the human bodies of the entire colony, fighting back against the colonizers. It’s a loud, bloody metaphor, but a powerful one: colonization always comes at a price.
7. Red Planet (2000)
A science-fiction action piece from 2000, directed by Antony Hoffman, Red Planet starred the likes of Val Kilmer, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Tom Sizemore. The story revolves around a team of astronauts who are searching for solutions on Mars in their efforts to save a dying Earth. But little do they know just how awry their mission is about to go.
While the scientists decide to make Mars habitable and initiate a project to create life there, the project brutally fails. And when it does, a group of people and a robot are sent to Mars to know the cause of the failure, resulting in a piece that gave away one thrilling lesson: biology isn’t a tool you can wield without consequence.
6. The Last Days on Mars (2013)
The Last Day on Mars was tamed by Ruiari Robinson from a script by Clive Dawson, and it certainly didn’t fail to leave a mark. An international co-production between Ireland and the United Kingdom, the Liev Schreiber starrer had a crew member of the Tantalus Base believing that he had made an astounding discovery on the last day of the first manned mission to Mars.
But while the crew on Mars discovered bacterial fossils in Martian rocks, the twist came when they found out the bacteria aren’t dead at all. Worse, it’s infectious, turning explorers into violent, zombie-like shells of themselves. A classic horror, the 2013 flick is rooted in the sobering possibility of life on Mars potentially being microscopic and hostile.
5. Doom (2005)
Released in 2005, Doom is a science fiction action horror loosely based on the video game series of the same name from id Software. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, it features star power the likes of Karl Urban, Rosamund Pike, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The film featured a group of space marines who travel on a rescue mission to Mars to investigate the mishaps in a research facility. However, little do they know that they are about to encounter demon-like creatures as they find themselves under threat after being attacked by them. Predictably, everything spirals into bloodshed as monsters rip through the station.
4. Mission to Mars (2000)
A classic sci-fi adventure from 2000, Mission to Mars was directed by Brian De Palma and suggested by Disney’s theme park attraction of the same name.
Starring an iconic crew consisting of stars like Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle, Connie Nielsen, and Jerry O’Connell, the film depicts the USA’s first crewed Mars exploration mission going terribly wrong as only one astronaut survives from the crew of four en route to the manned mission.
The rescue mission, though, brings them to the revelation that the planet might sustain some form of life as astronauts discover that Martians once seeded Earth with life, making humans distant descendants of the red planet.
3. Total Recall (1990)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Total Recall from 1990 was the ultimate sci-fi action flick to turn to for the chills and horrors of a Mars story. The film stars rich talents like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, and Michael Ironside.
Based on the 1966 short story We Can Remember It for You Wholesale, the plot follows Douglas Quaid (played by Schwarzenegger) trying to find the reason behind his recurring dream about Mars. However, things turn chilling when he soon learns that a false memory has been planted in his brain, and that the people responsible for the same now want him dead.
2. John Carter (2012)
Tamed by Andrew Stanton, John Carter is based on A Princess of Mars, the first book in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series of novels. Starring Taylor Kitsch in the title role, it chronicles the first interplanetary adventure of Carter and his attempts to mediate civil conflict among the warring kingdoms of Barsoom.
To be more precise, the film had the Civil War veteran Carter’s resistance to join the army leading him to trouble, as he eventually finds himself in a situation where he has superhuman capabilities and discovers that he is on Mars. In its essence, John Carter urges humility, reminding us that life, wherever it exists, demands respect.
1. 2036 Origin Unknown (2018)
Released in 2018, 2036 Origin Unknown brought a fresh take to the table with its science fiction adventure storyline.
The film had mission controller Mackenzie “Mack” Wilson (played by Katee Sackhoff) and ARTI, an artificial intelligence system (voiced by Steven Cree), discovering a mysterious object on Mars. But then they witness it being transported to Earth by faster-than-light travel, with the machine taking over and controlling the mission.
With the mission to Mars uncovering mysterious structures and the AI going rogue, it had humans coming to the realization that they’re playing with forces far beyond their comprehension.
All in all, all of these movies serve as a striking warning amidst this latest discovery by NASA. If anything, the Cheyava Falls rock could be the most important rock that humanity has ever touched. And if these reports of Perseverance having captured signs of ancient life are indeed true, then it really changes everything, from our history to our future, and even our place in the cosmos.
What do you think about all this? Do you have some opinions of your own to share? Let us know in the comments section below!
