Alpha Gang

When you think of alien invasions of Earth, you typically think big — epic battles, mass destruction, and ambitions of global conquest. But according to filmmakers David and Nathan Zellner, that takeover would actually be contested by something much smaller and more human: emotions.

The Zellners’ titular Alpha Gang includes Cate Blanchett, Léa Seydoux, Riley Keough, and Dave Bautista. Decked out in ’50s-era leather jackets, they look like a badass group of old-school bikers. Here to conquer, their plans begin to falter when they start to feel just how the human world can shift perspectives. Moments of intimacy, art, joy, and sadness start to seep into the gang and the intended directives become muddled. As they experience the pleasures of music and dance, and observe the beauties of the natural world — down to even the smallest ant colony — each becomes far more impacted by Earth than they could have ever expected.

With creative humour, a fantastic soundtrack, and stellar performances from an eclectic cast, Alpha Gang makes a timely statement about the human condition.

ANITA LEE

Content advisory: violence, coarse language