‘Alpha Gang’ Review: Léa Seydoux Leads an All-Star Cast of Motorcycle-Loving Aliens in the Zellner Brothers’ Wacky Sci-Fi Pastiche

Dave Bautista, Chris Pine, and Lily Rose-Depp are among the other rockabilly ETs, who take human form but can't handle human emotion.

Somewhere in the magical, medieval countryside of 1950s Eastern Europe, a gaggle of aliens from an undisclosed planet build a home for themselves in an abandoned castle. As they spawn onto the Earth one by one, the so-called Alpha Gang assembles together in service of their mission to conquer our puny species. Alas, by disguising themselves in earthling form, these superior beings must submit themselves to the worst indignities of the human condition — namely the frequent need to go to the bathroom and the constant nuisance of dealing with emotions.

“Alpha Gang” is a funny, radical, retro-futuristic ride. Brothers Nathan and David Zellner have created a sci-fi comedy that lets loose and leans into its flaws in the service of having a good time. The movie opens with a throwback opening credit segment set to the sound of Elvis-era rock’n’roll before it cuts to a nonchalant Alpha 3 (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) waiting for Alpha 6 (Riley Keough) to land. In their matching studded leather jackets, the two hop on the former’s motorcycle to meet up with the others. Along the way, they witness an execution, the film’s first glimpse of the gore and violence to come. 

We meet the rest of the Alpha Gang as they groove to their tantomat jukebox. The film’s soundtrack, composed of lots of love songs, is like a calming anthem for the Alpha Gang. Within their first week on this planet, they discovered the joy and freedom of twisting and turning to a beat. It is through music that they begin to compartmentalize exactly how human emotion works. They decide that there are those with love and those without — the Zellners’ script doesn’t sit with this distinction for long, but their movie is at its best when it does. Somehow, the only other pastimes the Alphas participate in are picnicking and badminton. This limited array of activities reflects the simplicity of the olden days, but soon enough the aliens begin to search for more meaning in their mission. 

Between bouts of leisure, the Alpha Gang, led by Alpha 1 (Léa Seydoux), set out on small battles to kill random troops in the name of taking over Earth. As they clunkily transition from picnic time into fighting mode, it becomes clear that they have no short or long-term plan. Their only methodology seems to be shoot now, ask later. Naturally, that poses a problem for the Alphas, but the movie does not necessarily care to resolve this matter. Over and over again, a tightrope tethers us to the Alpha’s number one problem: all feelings are a disease to be disregarded. It gets to a point where the film hits us over the head with this premise using a “Looney Tunes”-sized mallet.

This conundrum is more interestingly explored on an individual level, when we peer into the personal time of each Alpha. That process begins with Alpha 4 (Lily-Rose Depp), who gets overtaken by empathy in the middle of battle, letting one of their opps run away after learning he has a family. Alpha 5 (Bae Doona) later asks Alpha 6 for a hug, and all the while, Alpha 3 is holed up in his room, crying and forming a crush on a messenger hawk named Periwinkle. Every member of the ensemble cast is so committed to the awkward, uncomfortable front they put up, and they all embody this in a unique way. Their faces twist with dissatisfaction, and their eyes are glossy with hope for emotional freedom. Alpha 1, who’s most strict about the disease’s suppression, lashes out uncontrollably. The raw release of each gang member is ironically one of the funniest moments. As the Zellners compel us to laugh at the Alpha Gang, we’re also prompted to reconsider the correct way to learn emotional expression. This playful, childlike concept gets a touch of adventure, and it is most compelling when Alpha 4 expresses the desire to be called a name, not a number. 

Quietly, Alpha 2 (Dave Bautista) is mediating all matters, and another Alpha Gang member (Chris Pine) comes down to Earth. We learn there’s a secret Beta Gang member among the troupe, whose mission is to destroy the less evolved Alpha Gang. This additional conflict comes in a bit late, but is necessary to keep the story going. 

The Alpha Gang’s branding serves as one of the most developed narrative components. Their guns, jackets, and portable record players are all adorned with their name. Costume designer Susie Coulthard pieces together Grease-esque uniforms that give the gang half of the “look good, feel good” motto. The red, leather, and chrome color palette makes them more mysterious and intimidating than they actually are. Accessories and gadgets galore bolster the film’s sci-fi classification, but the film’s framing adds visual variety. As the Alpha Gang spies subtly on one another, the camera peers through their binoculars (also branded with AG). 

Any imperfections and shortcomings “Alpha Gang” has are still intriguing; it’s as if the film’s execution is resolutely human itself. More importantly, the Zellner brothers platform earthly elements, like music and food, as our most essential joie de vivre. It’s overly dramatic, like a 5-year-old who is denied a second helping of ice cream, but that is what fuels the fun. 

Grade: B-

“Alpha Gang” premiered at the 2026 Telluride Film Festival. It is currently seeking U.S. distribution.