Xtro

Xtro

Year: 1982

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: Harry Bromley Davenport

Science FictionHorrorMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypseHorror the undead and monster classicsSci-fi horror creatures and aliens

An alien abduction returns Sam to Earth three years after he was taken, but he is far from the man his family remembers. He tracks down his ex‑wife Rachel, who now lives with Joe, and his son Tony. Tensions rise as Joe distrusts Sam, Rachel is torn between the two men, and Sam’s altered nature begins to disturb Tony in terrifying ways.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Xtro (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Xtro (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Farm, London, Cottage, Forest

The story shifts from a rural family farm to an urban London apartment, then back to rural locations. Key settings include the farm where Sam is abducted and the cottage/woods where the alien lifecycle begins, with the London apartment serving as the modern home for Tony and his mother. The mix of countryside and city environments reinforces the contrast between ordinary family life and the intrusion of the alien menace.

🏡 Rural farm 🏙️ London urban setting 🏕️ Forest 🏚️ Cottage

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

Main Characters – Xtro (1982)

Meet the key characters of Xtro (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sam Phillips (Philip Sayer)

A farmer who is abducted by a bright light and returns years later as a half-human, half-alien being. He struggles with memory loss and a growing alien presence, using new powers to influence his son and protect his family, even as his humanity wanes. His alien form and actions culminate in leading Tony toward the alien light and departing with him to the alien world.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family 👽 Alien 🧠 Mind power

Rachel Philips (Bernice Stegers)

Tony's mother who, along with her partner Sam, tries to keep the family safe after Sam's return. She navigates fear and confusion as the alien events unfold, ultimately facing the danger of Sam's transformation and the chaotic consequences for her household.

👪 Family 🏠 Domestic 😨 Fear

Tony Phillips (Simon Nash)

A boy living with his mother in London who experiences recurring nightmares and discovers he has powerful paranormal abilities. He uses his powers to defend himself and others, animating toys into life and influencing events around him, including the fate of Analise and Joe.

🧠 Mind power 👦 Child Prodigy 🌀 Transformation

Analise Mercier (Maryam d'Abo)

A French au pair caring for Tony who becomes entangled in the alien lifecycle. She is knocked out by the living clown and used as a womb for alien eggs, becoming a pivotal figure in the reproduction process.

🧬 Incubation 👩‍🍼 Caretaker 💥 Danger

Joe Daniels (Danny Brainin)

Rachel's American boyfriend who is present in the household and ultimately killed by Sam's alien scream during a tense confrontation on a hillside.

👥 Family 💥 Conflict 🗡️ Danger

Michael (David Cardy)

Analise's partner who is killed by a panther while attempting to flee an escalation caused by Tony's powers.

🗡️ Danger 🐾 Animal threat 🚨 Tension

Clown (Peter Mandell)

A sentient toy clown brought to life by Tony's powers, which attacks Analise and becomes a dangerous symbol of the alien parasite's manipulation of ordinary objects.

🎭 Horror 🧸 Animate Object 🧟 Threat

Monster (Tim Dry)

The alien's formidable adult form that emerges from the seed, embodying the physical threat and mystery of the extraterrestrial life already implanted in the human world.

👾 Monster 🧬 Alien Life 🩸 Horror

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

Major Themes – Xtro (1982)

Explore the central themes of Xtro (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👽 Alien Identity

The film centers on the unexpected emergence of an alien lineage from a human host. Sam's transformation and the alien life cycle raise questions about what constitutes identity and belonging. The narrative uses body horror and metamorphosis to explore how a person can become something wholly other while remaining tied to family.

👪 Family Under Threat

A core thread is the family's struggle to maintain normal life in the face of a dangerous, otherworldly force. Tony's upbringing, Rachel's protective role, and Sam's return blur the lines between love, fear, and obligation. The alien threat tests the bonds between parent, child, and partner, highlighting resilience and fragility alike.

🧠 Power and Control

Tony's psychic abilities drive much of the plot, enabling toys to come to life and influencing events around him. Sam's alien powers culminate in a devastating scream and a dangerous agency over life and death. The film uses these abilities to explore control, manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked power.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

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Xtro Summary

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Xtro Summary

Xtro Timeline

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Xtro Timeline

More About Xtro

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