Unearthly Stranger

Dr Mark Davidson, John Neville the narrator, is in fear for his life as a mystery surrounding his predecessor’s death and a breakthrough in spaceflight via mental concentration begins to unravel around him. His predecessor died under mysterious circumstances just after making a major breakthrough, and the cause of death—described as “an explosion inside his brain”—is being withheld by Secret Service agent Maj. Clarke Patrick Newell. The scientists are pursuing a project that could turn thought into propulsion, a concept that promises to push humanity beyond Earth.

Davidson has a new Swiss wife, Julie, Gabriella Licudi, and Clarke takes a particular interest in her. Julie possesses a number of uncanny traits: sleeping with her eyes open, never blinking and having no pulse, which makes Davidson suspect she might be alien. She also frightens children and can handle very hot objects with her bare hands. After frightening an entire schoolyard, it becomes evident she can cry, though the tears burn her cheeks. Clarke conducts a background check and discovers she never existed before her life with the doctor.

As a precaution, Davidson is relieved of his lab duties. With time on his hands he returns to the problem his predecessor had solved and is able to recover the lost formula. For security reasons, Clarke confiscates the notes but is struck dead in the same mysterious way as his predecessor.

Julie eventually confesses that she is an alien sent to kill her husband and that she must leave because she has fallen in love with him. Despite his pleas, she vanishes, leaving only an empty dress behind. He rushes into his office and records a tape that narrates the film, warning that aliens want to prevent the breakthrough. He is then interrupted by his secretary, who reveals she is also an alien and she is there to finish the assignment. A scuffle ensues, and, as her concentration falters, she falls backward out of a window, but only an empty dress lands on the pavement. The scientists hurry downstairs and are quietly surrounded by a crowd of grim-visaged women, all of whom seem to be aliens.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:15