Aliens is the best film (but it’s close), and of course Ripley is the best character (it’s not close). Her arc over the first two movies is my single favourite thing in this franchise: she’s terrified of the xenomorph throughout Alien and for most of Aliens, before finally conquering her fear when Newt is taken. Then she is able to go toe-to-toe with the monsters, and even causes them to back off in fear of her.

Also, her almost-romantic bond with Hicks is beautifully subtle. The one and only time that Ripley trusts another person enough to obey an instruction from them that she disagrees with – is in Aliens, when Hicks tells her not go after Newt but instead to run. She listens. It’s a tiny moment, but because of who Ripley is as a character, it is profoundly meaningful.

All right, I believe you, she’s alive. But we’ve got to go. Now!