ALIEN

Friday, Film4, 11.10pm This classic fusion of sci-fi and horror is a masterclass in ruthless, strippedback storytelling. When a seemingly indestructible creature gets on board a cargo ship travelling through deep space, the terrified crew must fight for their lives. That’s all there is to it, but the tension never lets up for a second. The film made a star of Sigourney Weaver, who’s surrounded by a superb cast of character actors including Ian Holm, John Hurt and the late, great Harry Dean Stanton, who passed away recently at the age of 91.