Watch The Alien Factor

The Alien Factor is a sci-fi horror movie from 1978, directed by Baltimore-based filmmaker Don Dohler. The movie tells the story of three aliens who escape from a crashed spacecraft and go on a killing spree in the rural town of Perry Hall, Maryland. As the townspeople try to figure out what is happening, the aliens continue to wreak havoc, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake.

One of the main characters in the movie is a local scientist named Dr. Ted Nelson, played by Tom Griffith. Dr. Nelson is the one who first discovers the aliens and tries to convince the authorities of the danger they pose. Don Leifert plays Ben Zachary, a reporter who is also trying to get the story out to the public. Richard Dyszel plays Mayor Wicker, who is initially skeptical of the reports of strange occurrences in the town.

The aliens themselves are portrayed as grotesque, insect-like creatures with sharp teeth and glowing eyes. They are able to move quickly and have a variety of deadly weapons at their disposal. The special effects used to create the aliens are relatively primitive by modern standards, but they are effective nonetheless.

The plot of The Alien Factor follows a fairly standard formula for sci-fi horror movies of the period. There is the initial discovery of the threat, followed by attempts to warn the authorities and gather information about the aliens. The townspeople are initially skeptical, but as the body count rises, they begin to take the threat more seriously. There is also a romance subplot between Dr. Nelson and a local waitress, which adds a bit of emotional depth to the story.

One of the things that sets The Alien Factor apart from other movies of its genre is its low budget. The movie was filmed on a shoestring budget, using mostly local actors and crew. The special effects and makeup were done by Dohler himself, and the film was shot on 16mm film. Despite these limitations, however, The Alien Factor manages to create a sense of tension and suspense that keeps the viewer engaged throughout.

Another interesting aspect of the movie is its setting. The town of Perry Hall is portrayed as a sleepy, rural community, and the movie takes advantage of its location to create a sense of isolation and vulnerability. The streets are deserted at night, and the buildings are old and creaky. This creates a perfect backdrop for the rampaging aliens, who seem to be able to strike from anywhere at any time.

Overall, The Alien Factor is a fun, if somewhat cheesy, sci-fi horror movie from the late 1970s. It may not have the budget or the special effects of more modern movies, but it makes up for this with its sense of tension and suspense. The actors all do a decent job with their roles, and there are a few standout performances. The aliens themselves are suitably creepy, and the low-budget special effects only add to their otherworldly appearance. If you enjoy classic sci-fi horror movies, then The Alien Factor is definitely worth checking out.

The Alien Factor is a 1978 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.9.