Okay, fellow tape travelers, dim the lights, maybe grab a Jolt Cola if you can still find one, because tonight we're digging out a particular slice of late-80s weirdness that absolutely graced the shelves of every corner video store: 1988's My Stepmother Is an Alien. Forget your gritty reboots and complex multiverses for a second; this is pure, unadulterated oddball charm, beamed straight from a time when high-concept comedies didn't need to apologize for being utterly bonkers.
The premise alone feels like it was cooked up in a pitch meeting fueled by pixie sticks and leftover Cold War paranoia. Brilliant-but-distracted scientist Dr. Steven Mills (Dan Aykroyd, fresh off the phenomenal success of Ghostbusters (1984) and delivering his signature blend of manic intelligence and bewildered charm) accidentally zaps a powerful beam deep into space during an atmospheric experiment. This cosmic faux pas disrupts life on another planet, prompting them to send an operative to Earth to investigate – and possibly reverse – the damage. That operative? Celeste, played by an absolutely luminous Kim Basinger. Her mission: seduce the scientist, understand his work, and save her world, all before her home planet gets irrevocably fried. Oh, and she has a sentient, tentacled alien handbag advisor thingy (voiced with dry wit by Ann Prentiss) hidden in her purse. Totally normal.
### She Came From Outer Space (and Landed in the Suburbs)
What makes this film more than just its wacky setup is the delightful execution, particularly from its leads. Aykroyd is perfect as the slightly nerdy widower, completely bowled over by this impossibly gorgeous, strangely naive woman who appears out of nowhere. He plays the straight man (mostly) to Basinger's fish-out-of-water routine, grounding the film just enough.
But let's be real: this movie belongs to Kim Basinger. Coming off dramatic roles and just before hitting superstardom again with Batman (1989), she throws herself into the comedic absurdity with infectious gusto. Celeste's attempts to mimic human behavior, learned entirely from scrambled TV signals and misunderstood phrases, are the heart of the comedy. Watching her try to consume batteries like snacks, replicate a kiss from a movie poster with alarming enthusiasm, or navigate the complexities of breakfast food is genuinely hilarious. She manages to be both otherworldly and incredibly endearing. Remember how effortlessly she seemed to float through those early scenes? It was a performance that balanced bombshell glamour with impeccable comedic timing.
### That 80s Sci-Fi Sheen
Directed by Richard Benjamin, who also gave us enjoyable romps like The Money Pit (1986) and later Mermaids (1990), the film doesn't shy away from its genre elements, even if they feel charmingly dated now. The alien tech, especially Celeste's purse-dwelling companion "Bag," has that distinct, slightly clunky 80s practical effects feel. There's no sleek CGI here; it’s puppetry and clever camera angles giving life to that eyeball on a stalk. It’s tangible in a way modern effects often aren't. Retro Fun Fact: The script went through several hands (credited writers include Jerico Stone, Jonathan Reynolds, Herschel Weingrod, and Timothy Harris – the latter two also worked on Trading Places and Twins!), and whispers suggest the original concept might have been slightly darker before leaning fully into the romantic comedy angle. This collaborative writing might explain some of the film's occasional tonal shifts, but honestly, it mostly adds to the quirky fun.
The supporting cast adds flavor too. A very young Alyson Hannigan makes her film debut here as Jessie, Aykroyd's initially skeptical daughter, showing early glimmers of the charm that would later make her a star in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and American Pie. And who could forget Jon Lovitz as Ron Mills, Steven's perpetually inappropriate, get-rich-quick-scheming brother? Lovitz steals every scene he's in with his signature smarm. "That's the ticket!"
### Big Hair, Big Concepts, Box Office Whimper
Visually and sonically, the film is pure late 80s. Big hair, shoulder pads, and a synth-heavy score by the legendary Alan Silvestri (yes, the same maestro behind Back to the Future and Predator!) firmly plant it in its era. It has that bright, slightly optimistic sheen common in comedies of the time, even when dealing with potential planetary destruction.
Despite the star power and high concept, My Stepmother Is an Alien wasn't exactly a smash hit upon release. Retro Fun Fact: Filmed primarily around Southern California, it cost roughly $19 million but only pulled in about $13.8 million domestically. Critics were somewhat mixed, perhaps unsure what to make of its genre blend. But like so many films from the era, it found a second life on VHS and cable, becoming a nostalgic favorite for those who caught it on a fuzzy CRT screen late one night. I distinctly remember renting this one – the cover art alone, with Basinger looking impossibly glamorous against a starry backdrop, was enough to guarantee a weekend viewing.
### The Verdict
My Stepmother Is an Alien is a charming, goofy, and undeniably dated piece of 80s sci-fi romantic comedy. It coasts heavily on the charisma of its leads, particularly Basinger's delightful alien-out-of-water performance. The plot is feather-light, and the science is… well, let's just say "creative." But it possesses a sweet-natured innocence and a willingness to embrace its own absurdity that's incredibly endearing. It doesn’t aim for high art; it aims for high-concept fun, and mostly succeeds.
Rating: 7/10
Justification: While the script occasionally wobbles and the effects are pure 80s cheese (in the best way!), the stellar comedic performances from Basinger and Aykroyd, along with a healthy dose of nostalgic charm and genuine laughs, make it a worthwhile trip back. It perfectly captures that specific brand of optimistic, slightly bizarre filmmaking popular in the era.
Final Thought: It’s the kind of movie that reminds you why browsing the aisles of the video store was such an adventure – sometimes you stumbled upon pure, unpretentious weirdness that just made you smile. Beam this one up if you're feeling nostalgic for a gentler, sillier kind of close encounter.