Alien³ (1992), directed by David Fincher in his feature film debut, is the third installment in the Alien franchise. Following the critically acclaimed Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), Alien³ takes a much darker, more claustrophobic approach. It has a controversial reputation among fans due to its bleak tone, drastic changes in story direction, and a troubled production history.
Alien³ picks up shortly after the events of Aliens, with Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) as the sole survivor of the space vessel Sulaco after it crash-lands on Fiorina “Fury” 161, a desolate and isolated prison planet inhabited by male prisoners with histories of violence and sexual crimes. The prison is overseen by a small group of custodians who live in a barren, industrial wasteland.
Ripley discovers that the Sulaco was carrying an alien organism, and soon after her arrival, a xenomorph begins stalking and killing the inmates and staff. Unlike the previous films, the prisoners on Fiorina 161 are ill-equipped to deal with the alien threat; they have no advanced weapons or technology, making them vulnerable to the creature.
As Ripley tries to rally the inmates to fight the alien, she also discovers that she has been infected with a xenomorph embryo, specifically a queen, growing inside her. This revelation makes Ripley both a target for the alien and a pawn in the sinister plans of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, which seeks to capture and exploit the xenomorph for its bioweapons division.
The film culminates in a desperate battle for survival as Ripley confronts both the alien and her inevitable fate, determined to ensure that the xenomorph cannot be used as a weapon.