It’s clear from the get-go of Alien: Earth that Noah Hawley really wanted to make an Alien movie. FXA prequel to Alien that isn’t really a prequel, Alien: Earth very much falls in line with the TV spinoff formula that won Hawley accolades and acclaim with shows like Fargo and Legion. Unfortunately, Alien: Earth gets so caught up in aping the iconic imagery and tense horror thrills of Ridley Scott’s Alien that it never follows through on its most interesting ideas. If Alien: Earth is to continue for another season, Hawley will need to focus less on the aliens and bring his gaze back down to Earth. Alien: Earth premieres its first two episodes on FX and Hulu on August 12.