The connective tissue between Alien and Aliens is Sigourney Weaver, the radiant star, grounding the film against its fantastical elements. She scored a historic Oscar nomination for the film, one of the rare times a genre picture has received attention from the Academy in a major category. Weaver would eventually lose to Marlee Martin for Children of a Lesser God, but the nomination really solidified her as an esteemed actress and the role as legendary. It's a commanding and textured performance, continuing the astounding work she did in Alien (her first major role).

It’s hard to know why it’s so difficult for modern blockbusters to get their heroines right. After Aliens, we had Dr. Sattler in Jurassic Park and Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road but these wonderful women are the exceptions that prove the rule. Here, Ripley is a woman who faces challenges and sexism, and we are continually shown the narrative through her perspective. The character has her flaws and impulses, and she is a heroine with whom it is easy to identify. Whenever her male counterparts talk down to her and ignore her, she’s always in the right. Her convictions and courage are admirable, but the film doesn’t place her on a pedestal.