Looper’s review of “Alien: Earth” commends the series for delivering both philosophical depth and thrilling action. The show showcases the Xenomorphs prominently, giving fans a full dose of what makes these monsters legendary in the franchise. For those needing a reminder of the Xenomorphs’ capabilities before diving into the series or its possible sequels, they can watch our detailed explainer video above to uncover everything about this ultimate creature.

The life cycle of Xenomorphs has been extensively documented since 1979’s “Alien.” It starts with a Xenomorph Queen laying eggs, called ovomorphs. When a living being gets too near, a facehugger attaches to the host. Unbeknownst to the host, a Xenomorph embryo, or chestburster, is gestating and will soon violently emerge from the host’s chest. This creature then quickly matures, soon becoming a fully-grown Xenomorph roaming around spaceships.

Throughout the “Alien” films, the life cycle sometimes varies. For instance, “Alien: Covenant” features the Neomorph, beginning as a fungal infection spread by spores. Xenomorph-human hybrids like the Offspring from “Alien: Romulus” also exist. Despite differing forms, all Xenomorph variations are extremely lethal.

The moniker “perfect organism” is fitting for Xenomorphs, as they are adept at destruction. Their exoskeleton acts as natural armor, and if breached, the acid in their blood can corrode a spaceship’s metal hull. Equipped with claws and sharp tails, they excel in combat. Caution is advised near their mouths since a secondary mouth can extend with enough force to penetrate a human skull.

“Alien: Earth” marks the Xenomorph’s debut on Earth in a movie or TV series. However, past attempts by the Weyland-Yutani corporation to bring them to Earth have occurred, like in the original “Alien” where Ash, the android, was instructed to secure the alien, valuing it over the human crew. Both Ash and David, the synthetic from “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” exhibit views that Xenomorphs are superior to humans, with David aiming to create his own version to surpass his creators, essentially playing god.

Few movie monsters embody cosmic horror like Xenomorphs. Don’t miss out when “Alien: Earth” debuts on FX on August 12; make sure to check out our Xenomorph breakdown video above.