10 Best Horror Movie Villains From The 70s

There were two prime antagonists in Alien, both on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of appearance and abilities, but both outstanding and memorable within the plot.

The scene in which Ash tries to choke Ripley to death is nail-bitingly intense, especially given his unnerving reaction. Once Parker intervenes, his head is knocked loose and it is revealed he is a robot who was assigned to ensure the alien's survival. His final words to the crew "I can't lie about your chances, but...you have my sympathies" are delivered with no feeling or remorse, implying that they stand no chance against the beast.

Whilst the Xenomorph is an obvious villain from the start (more on that later), Ash poses as just another one of the Nostromo crew members. The idea behind the characterisation was "a competitor against humanity who would later pass for human and turn on us". Once you find out Ash's true form and intentions, you suddenly question all of his actions prior to the reveal.