'Alien' Meets 'Interstellar' in Netflix's 20-Episode Sci-Fi Series Made for Your Next Binge
Abby Jackam is a contributer for Collider and ShowSnob, a media journalist for Trill Mag, and an aspiring novelist. She graduated Washington State University Vancouver in 2025 with a Bachelor's degree in Humanities.
Whenever she can, Abby is writing. From research papers to book reviews, Abby's passion lies in storytelling and literary pursuits.
Netflix has created many iconic original shows in the past. House of Cards, Daredevil, Narcos, all shows with complex storytelling, compelling writing, and long-lasting support from audiences. These shows have built up a legacy of high quality television that resonated with audiences even after the last episode. But some Netflix originals aren't so lucky. Some slip through the cracks or fail to find the right audiences. Another Life is one of those shows that could have been great, but might just need to be revisited with fresh eyes.
Upon its release, Another Life was met with mixed reviews. Critics disliked the series while audiences were conflicted. With two seasons, the show concluded its story, falling back into the mass of Netflix's catalog. But the sci-fi show deserves another chance from viewers. While imperfect, the show tackles similar themes from sci-fi goliaths like Alien and Interstellar. Audiences might be surprised how similar Another Life is with other iconic science fiction stories if they give the series one more go.
'Another Life' Presents an Impossible Choice
When an alien artifact lands on Earth, Niko Breckinridge (Katee Sachhoff) is tasked with leading a space crew to find the alien's home and bring back answers. Leaving her husband Eric (Justin Chatwin) and her daughter Jana behind, Niko and her crew experience the many challenges space offers. From contaminated food, mutinous crew mates, and strange planets, every day brings a new obstacle for Niko to overcome. On Earth, her husband Eric tests the artifact to discover its purpose on the planet, risking his and Jana's life in the process. When the alien threat proves to be more dangerous than they could have expected, Niko finds that the return back to Earth is just as challenging as leaving it.
Another Life feels like a creative mix of Alien and Interstellar in a way that fully utilizes the sci-fi genre. Like Alien, the threat of an unknown extraterrestrial creature looms on the horizon, presenting a physical challenge for the crew to face. Niko and her crew find themselves in horrific fights for their lives as they explore the depths of space. The show doesn't shy away from major character deaths, just as Alien embraced it. On another note, Another Life balances the emotional stakes of choosing to leave family for the greater good. Niko's decision to leave Eric and Jana demonstrates the severity of the situation and her willingness to put humanity before her own desires.
'Another Life' Deserves Another Chance
Another Life is far from perfect, but at its core, it tells a story about sacrifice. Like Interstellar, humanity's fate is in the hands of one crew who leave behind loved ones. Their fate is uncertain, and the risk is high, but they are willing to sacrifice their futures for Earth's. Many characters meet terrible ends along the journey, not only shocking audiences but proving how dangerous the mission is. Survival is not guaranteed, and each character finds themselves in life-threatening situations.
Like Alien's Ripley or Interstellar's Cooper, Niko carries the weight of the story. Katee Sackhoff's Niko is a complicated character, but one that puts duty above everything. Her role as leader is one she takes seriously, and her mission drives her to keep going. When her crew gets antsy or discontent, Niko remains level-headed. Niko knows firsthand what sacrifice means, not just for her family and current crew, but with her complicated past. With a wide array of personalities in the crew, viewers get the strongest understanding of Niko's resilience and dedication to the mission.
Another Life had all the makings of a great sci-fi show — alien threats against humanity, a ragtag space crew, new intense conflicts each episode. While there are issues with the story, Another Life is judged too harshly for its weak spots. No story is ever perfect, and at the heart of the show, Another Life focuses on family, duty, and sacrifice that can speak to any audience member. With fresh eyes, viewers might find some hidden treasure in the show that gives it its own charm. It's not perfect, but it takes risks to tell a compelling story that audiences should give another shot.
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