14 Most Terrifying Moments From Alien Films
2. It's Game Time (Aliens)
Ripley and the marines are in the middle of interrogating Burke when all of a sudden the lights go out, leaving them shrouded in a foreboding red hue. Yes, Hudson, the aliens have cut the power.
Psychological horror is the best kind because we, as an audience, are subjected to a mental torture of the unknowing and the ominous. Aliens isn't a horror film; rather it's an action film with elements of horror.
The simple step-by-step approach to the explosive denouement in this particular part of the film shows it at its most terrifyingly tense. Or in this case, it's Ripley, Newt and the marines who are taking retreating steps backwards.
An as per terrified Hudson freaks out when he and the redoubtable Vasquez pick up movement inside the complex on their trackers. Hicks orders them to retreat back to operations. Hudson and Vasquez quickly seal the door. The increasing tempo of the "big f***ing signal" acts like a metaphor of their doubtless increasing heart rate.
Further back they go as Hudson stresses the aliens are only six metres away, putting the creatures inside the very same room, yet they can't see them! It suddenly and horrifyingly dawns on everyone what's happening, and is confirmed when Hicks peeks through the ceiling grate and shines a torch on the aliens clambering up above. Will let your mind conjure up what happens next.