When dealing in the unknown there are bound to be endless ambiguities. It’s part of the filmmakers’ job to engage its audience with the world around them and just like our world there are bound to be elements with no clear cut answers. These ten questions are some of the most mind-boggling, unanswerable queries that keep us super fans on our toes. As we’ve seen on this website and several others a film like Prometheus served to bring up more questions than answers them which leaves us wondering if Damon Lindelof falls down and no one’s around, does he have a plot?

In this article we’ll be dealing with two types of questions. The first is intentionally ambiguous and the second is born out of laziness. The intentionally ambiguous serves to let the viewer engage on a much deeper level if they choose to. It’s open ended for a reason. The lazy varieties are plot holes or gaps in logic. Both can be equally frustrating and create the equivalent amount of debate among fans.

Horror films deal in irrationality and trying to survive chaos. In the midst of all that chaos plot holes and ambiguities can occur and that’s okay. Thankfully we’re all creative enough to help fill in the gaps. I expect a cheque from Warner Brothers any day now.

 

1. How Did Ash Know He Was Supposed To Bring Back The Xenomorph? (Alien 1979)

The Weland Yutani Corporation made the sneaky move of switching out the original science officer for Ash (Ian Holm) right before the Nostromo’s departure. Ash is eventually revealed to be an android whose actual purpose on the ship is to ensure the survival of the Xenomorph for (one would assume) further research and possibly weaponizing. But how did he know that was what he was supposed to do?

Early on in the film we’re given clues to his deceptive nature. He breaks protocol to let in Kane (John Hurt) after he’s been attacked by the Face Hugger. He then spends the rest of the film trying to ensure the organism’s survival until it can be brought back to Earth. Once subdued Ash then reveals that his ultimate objective was “bring back life form. Priority One. All other priorities rescinded.”

Based on what we know from Prometheus, the Weyland side of the Weyland Yutani Corporation was aware and interested in other life in the universe so it would make sense that their androids would have a built-in order to bring back other life forms at the expense of the crew. Like in The Simpson when the Krusty doll’s switch is set to evil. The Corporation could potentially have a mandate that an android with that mission be supplied on every ship lest they hear an unknown signal. They just didn’t count on resident bad-ass Ripley being on board.

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