Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Alien from L.A.

film

Alien from L.A.

1988

When her archaeologist father disappears on an expedition, Wanda sets out to look for him. What she finds is a secret underground world, where no one believes in life on the surface and where she and her father are taken for spies.

Ages 10+Source checked

Why this age? Fantasy peril, pursuit, imprisonment, fighting, and threats to kill a parent may unsettle younger viewers; romance and sexual material appear light, and the film is rated PG. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age10+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence3/5
  • Death of a character2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity2/5
  • Good role models2/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

Wanda is told her father died, though she believes he is alive; antagonists threaten to kill both of them.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

The excerpts include mild insults and labels such as “low-life,” “thugs,” and “nerdy social misfit,” with no evidence of strong profanity.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

A handsome rogue briefly helps Wanda and falls in love with her; she rejects her ex-boyfriend and later reunites with him.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

A bottomless pit, underground civilization, pursuit, imprisonment, secret police, and threats against Wanda and her father create sustained peril.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Includes scenes with characters in swimwear; light suggestive tone common to 80s B-movies.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Contains fantasy-style brawls, chase sequences, and mild threats of execution, mostly played for adventure.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Wanda voluntarily searches for her missing father, enters a dangerous hidden world, resists capture, and persists despite threats.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

The film invites imaginative engagement through Atlantis, an alien-origin civilization, subterranean travel, and Jules Verne-inspired adventure.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Limited diversity; main character is a stereotypical 'misfit' figure.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Characters demonstrate mutual aid and cooperation during the escape.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

Theme of finding adventure and self-confidence.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Wanda grows into a more courageous character; some characters are heroic.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Alien from L.A. would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Alien from L.A., and what caused that change?
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