Alien from L.A.

Alien from L.A.

Year: 1988

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Albert Pyun

FamilyAdventureScience FictionMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypseAction-packed space and alien sagas

When her archaeologist father vanishes during an expedition, teenager Wanda ventures into the Earth's core. There she discovers a hidden subterranean civilization that has long dismissed surface life as myth. Mistaking her arrival for espionage, the underground dwellers imprison Wanda and her father while they face an unexpected clash of worlds.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Alien from L.A. (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Alien from L.A. (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Los Angeles, Zamboanga, North Africa (Deepest Africa), Malibu Beach

Wanda's story begins in Los Angeles, a modern urban setting where she works at a diner and longs for adventure. The envelope leads her to Zamboanga in the North Africa region, guiding her toward a subterranean chamber beneath her father's apartment. There, the underground world of Atlanteans is revealed, contrasting with the surface. The film ends with a beach reunion on Malibu Beach as she returns to the surface.

🏙️ Urban 🗺️ Exotic locale 🪨 Underground 🏖️ Beachfront

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:29

Main Characters – Alien from L.A. (1988)

Meet the key characters of Alien from L.A. (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Wanda Saknussemm (Kathy Ireland)

A nerdy social misfit who craves adventure, Wanda is dumped by her boyfriend for lacking daring. Her journey into the Earth’s depths reveals a newfound resilience as she becomes embroiled in a conspiracy about Atlantis. She is hunted by authorities and criminals alike, yet she persists with wit and courage.

🧠 Nerdy 👩🏻‍💼 Social Misfit 🎯 Determined 🧭 Adventurer

Charmin' (Thom Mathews)

A handsome rogue who helps Wanda escape and falls in love with her. He provides charm and daring during the couple’s flight from danger, representing the film’s elements of romance and reckless courage.

🧭 Ally 💘 Love Interest 🗺️ Adventurer

Guten 'Gus' Edway (William R. Moses)

A tough miner who becomes Wanda’s ally and protector in the underground struggle. His practical, no-nonsense demeanor helps navigate the dangers of Atlantean politics and surface threats.

🧭 Ally 🪨 Miner 🛡️ Protector

General Rykov (Janie du Plessis)

An evil Atlantean general who seeks to kill Wanda and her father, using soldiers and cunning to tighten control. His appetite for power makes him a formidable foe in both the surface and subterranean worlds.

🗡️ Villain 🧭 Authority 👿 Antagonist

Mambino (Deep Roy)

A crime lord who employs thugs to capture Wanda, representing the criminal underworld that complicates her quest. His network of influence adds pressure from above and below.

💰 Crime Lord 🕵️‍♂️ Underworld 🔪 Threat

Robbie (Don Michael Paul)

Wanda’s ex-boyfriend who dumped her for not having a sense of adventure, adding a personal motivation in the public eye and highlighting her journey from rejection to empowerment.

💔 Ex-lover 🧭 Cautionary figure 🥀 Unrequited

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:29

Major Themes – Alien from L.A. (1988)

Explore the central themes of Alien from L.A. (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Identity

A nerdy, outcast heroine learns to define herself beyond social labels. Wanda's journey from misfit to key player in an epic underground drama frames how identity is challenged and redefined by extraordinary circumstances. The Atlanteans mistake surface dwellers for aliens, echoing the theme of misperception and self-discovery. The story uses Wanda's resilience to explore what it means to belong.

🗺️ Discovery

The plot revolves around deciphering ancient notes about Atlantis and following a trail from a diner desk to a hidden chamber. Wanda and Gus navigate a map-like world of secret entrances, government intrigue, and criminal machinations in pursuit of truth about her father and the lost civilization. The journey blends archaeological mystery with science fiction adventure. Discovery propels the action as each clue reveals a larger hidden world.

🌀 Adventure

The story is driven by a high-energy chase across surfaces and subterranean realms, with Wanda dodging captors and relying on unlikely allies. Charmin' adds romance and bravado, while Gus provides grit and protection. The climax pairs escape, confrontation with General Rykov, and a dramatic return to daylight on the surface. The tone mixes campy action with sci-fi spectacle as Wanda fights to reunite with her ally.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:29

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Alien from L.A. Summary

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Alien from L.A. Summary

Alien from L.A. Timeline

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Alien from L.A. Timeline

More About Alien from L.A.

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