“My Stepmother is an Alien” is a science fiction comedy film released in 1988. The film is directed by Richard Benjamin and stars Dan Aykroyd, Kim Basinger, Jon Lovitz, and Alyson Hannigan in her feature film debut.
The film follows the story of Celeste (Kim Basinger), an alien who is sent to Earth to conduct research on its inhabitants. She takes on the appearance of a human woman and is taken in by a recently widowed scientist, Steven Mills (Dan Aykroyd), and his daughter Jessie (Alyson Hannigan). As Celeste learns about human behavior and emotions, she begins to fall in love with Steven and has to navigate the complexities of human relationships.
Meanwhile, a rival scientist, Dr. Lucas (Jon Lovitz), who is obsessed with uncovering the secrets of the universe, discovers Celeste’s true identity and sets out to capture her and her spaceship. As Celeste’s powers start to diminish, she has to race against time to save herself and her new family.
The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising the chemistry between Aykroyd and Basinger, while others found the plot to be too thin and predictable. Despite its mixed reception, the film has gained a cult following over the years and is remembered for its quirky humor and charming performances.
Overall, “My Stepmother is an Alien” is a lighthearted and entertaining comedy that blends science fiction with romance and family drama. It remains a fun and nostalgic film for those who grew up watching it in the late 80s and early 90s.
Cast
The cast of “My Stepmother is an Alien” includes:
- Kim Basinger as Celeste Martin
- Dan Aykroyd as Steven Mills
- Jon Lovitz as Ron Mills
- Alyson Hannigan as Jessie Mills
- Joseph Maher as Lucas Budlong
- Wesley Mann as Carl Sagan
- Tony Jay as The Voice of Bag
- Peter Bromilow as Bag
Notably, “My Stepmother is an Alien” marked Alyson Hannigan’s feature film debut, who would go on to star in popular TV shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the “American Pie” movie franchise.
Production
“My Stepmother is an Alien” was directed by Richard Benjamin and produced by Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy. The screenplay was written by Jerico Stone, Herschel Weingrod, and Timothy Harris, with additional dialogue by Jonathan Reynolds.
The film was shot on location in various areas of California, including Los Angeles and Santa Clarita. Principal photography began on August 10, 1987, and wrapped in October of the same year.
The film’s visual effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the visual effects company founded by George Lucas. The company used a combination of practical effects and computer-generated imagery to bring the film’s aliens and spaceships to life.
The film’s score was composed by Alan Silvestri, who is known for his work on films such as “Back to the Future” and “Forrest Gump”. The soundtrack also includes songs by popular artists of the time, such as Jermaine Jackson, Debbie Harry, and Bryan Ferry.
Overall, “My Stepmother is an Alien” was a mid-budget production that relied on a mix of practical effects, visual effects, and comedy to tell its story. While it was not a critical darling, the film managed to connect with audiences and has gained a following over the years.
Reviews
The reviews for “My Stepmother is an Alien” were mixed upon its release, with some critics finding it to be a fun and charming comedy, while others felt that the film was too thin in terms of plot and substance. Here are some examples of reviews from the time:
- Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, writing that “this is a lightweight film that’s easy to take, with likable performances and some funny moments, but there’s no sense of urgency or danger.”
- Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote, “Ms. Basinger makes an appealingly otherworldly heroine, but the story gives her little to do that’s truly inspired.”
- Desson Howe of The Washington Post called the film “a pleasant, lightweight comedy”, but noted that “the humor is of the old-fashioned vaudeville variety.”
- Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a C+ rating, writing that “the script is a ramshackle collection of hokey comic devices.”
Despite the mixed reviews, “My Stepmother is an Alien” has gained a cult following over the years, with many fans enjoying its quirky humor and nostalgic charm.
Where are they now?
Here is a brief update on where some of the key cast and crew members of “My Stepmother is an Alien” are now:
- Kim Basinger, who played Celeste, has had a successful acting career and has appeared in films such as “Batman” and “LA Confidential”. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the latter film.
- Dan Aykroyd, who played Steven, has continued to act and has appeared in films such as “Ghostbusters II” and “Get on Up”. He is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded the House of Blues chain of music venues and the Crystal Head Vodka brand.
- Jon Lovitz, who played Ron, has continued to act and has appeared in films such as “The Wedding Singer” and “A League of Their Own”. He is also a comedian and has performed stand-up comedy on various television shows and in clubs around the United States.
- Alyson Hannigan, who played Jessie, went on to become a well-known television actress, starring in the hit shows “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “How I Met Your Mother”. She also appeared in the “American Pie” movie franchise.
- Richard Benjamin, the film’s director, has continued to work in Hollywood as a director and actor. He has directed films such as “Made in America” and “Marci X”, and has appeared in TV shows such as “The West Wing” and “Mad About You”.
- Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, the film’s producers, have become two of the most successful producers in Hollywood. They have worked on films such as the “Indiana Jones” and “Jurassic Park” franchises, and Kennedy is currently the President of Lucasfilm, overseeing the “Star Wars” franchise.
Overall, the cast and crew of “My Stepmother is an Alien” have gone on to have successful careers in Hollywood and beyond.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “My Stepmother is an Alien”:
- The film’s director, Richard Benjamin, is known for his work as an actor in films such as “Goodbye, Columbus” and “Westworld”.
- The movie was produced by the husband-and-wife team of Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy, who would go on to become some of the most successful producers in Hollywood, working on films such as the “Indiana Jones” and “Jurassic Park” franchises.
- The film features a cameo appearance by Carl Sagan, who was a well-known astronomer and science communicator at the time. He appears as a character named after himself, and his appearance in the film was a nod to his advocacy for science education and outreach.
- The film’s original script was much darker in tone and had a more serious storyline. However, the producers decided to make it more of a comedy to capitalize on the success of Dan Aykroyd’s previous film, “Ghostbusters”.
- Kim Basinger’s character, Celeste, has a device on her wrist that she uses to communicate with her alien race. This device was created by Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects company founded by George Lucas.
- The film’s soundtrack includes songs by popular artists of the time, such as Jermaine Jackson, Debbie Harry, and Bryan Ferry.
- The movie was a box office success, grossing over $13 million in its opening weekend and ultimately earning over $13 million worldwide.
- Dan Aykroyd’s character, Steven, is a scientist who is working on a project to contact extraterrestrial life. This was a nod to Aykroyd’s real-life interest in UFOs and the paranormal.
- Alyson Hannigan, who played Jessie Mills in the film, was only 13 years old at the time of filming.
- “My Stepmother is an Alien” was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 1989, but ultimately lost to “They Live”.
Box office
“My Stepmother is an Alien” was a box office success, grossing over $13 million in its opening weekend and ultimately earning over $13 million worldwide. The film was produced with a budget of approximately $20 million, so while it did not perform exceptionally well in terms of profitability, it still managed to make a profit. The film debuted in 1,261 theaters in the United States and ranked at No. 1 in its opening weekend, beating out other films such as “Colors” and “Rain Man”.
