I was unprepared for Alpha Gang at TIFF 2026. The latest work from directors David and Nathan Zellner is a trip that somehow manages to mix 1950s charm and science-fiction zaniness into an experience that is truly hard to describe. Premiering at this year’s festival, Alpha Gang never feels “normal” by any stretch of the imagination, but for people willing to let the concepts wash over them, it is a trip worth taking. It is an odd journey that often seems to fight against enjoyment, and somehow that works with the subject matter.
Let’s start by saying that, while there is a storyline to Alpha Gang, it feels secondary to the experience you are in for should you sit down and watch the movie. The film follows a group of aliens that have been transported to Earth to try to take over the planet. Simple enough, but somehow the alien force decided the best way to take over Earth was as a 1950s-style biker gang, complete with matching leather jackets, poodle skirts and all the classic rock tunes you can stand.
“Alpha Gang never feels ‘normal’ by any stretch of the imagination, but for people willing to let the concepts wash over them, it is a trip worth taking.”
Living in a crumbling castle, with every piece of gear and machinery bearing the unmistakable markings of Alpha Gang, this collection of alien invaders are fish out of water, slowly learning about human emotions and troubles as they look for ways to conquer the planet. Of course, this includes dancing to records, playing badminton and eating the most boring food imaginable as they think about the meaning of their mission, the human race and war. This movie is a trip and a half, and that is even before we start throwing a wrench into the gears of their invasion plans.
It is a trip seeing some massive actors all acting like clueless children one minute and merciless killers the next, with the full cast doing a great job portraying the emotionless aliens of Alpha Gang. Dave Bautista (Alpha 1), Léa Seydoux (Alpha 2), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Alpha 3), Bae Doona (Alpha 4), Lily-Rose Depp (Alpha 5) and Riley Keough (Alpha 6) round out the early cast, and they manage to bring a level of absurdist humour to the insanity we witness. Each moment feels like a new vignette showcasing just how insane the aliens’ mission truly is.
Yet it is the introduction of Chris Pine as the REAL Alpha 6 that starts to mix things up in a fantastic way. His character embraces the insanity unlike anyone else in the cast, with the way he handles his wildest moments with complete seriousness only adding to the fun of the character. I never knew I needed Alien Invader Chris Pine, but here we are, and I would watch a full film of him just leaning into the absurdist concepts this script calls for. I will not spoil any of them here, but know that when you see him on screen, you are in for a trip.
Honestly, this is a hard film to review because it defies normal Hollywood convention, but there is enough here for people who love cinema to really sink their teeth into. Works of gay cinema like Scorpio Rising are without a doubt a heavy influence on the aesthetic of the film, with the tight leather biker look fully embraced by the cast.
Set against the Hungarian countryside where the movie was filmed, it all helps add to the otherworldly nature of the proceedings. The 1950s record players and dancing, all against the backdrop of a ruined castle, are something to behold, and that is before we move into the insanity of the final act. I will not spoil it here, but know you are in for a treat.
I am not sure I would call Alpha Gang a good movie, but it is an experience, one that we rarely see wrangle such big stars into being a part of it. There is a lot of artistry on display and some wild concepts, but it is not for the faint of heart. This is a movie that defies casual enjoyment and looks to defy expectations at every turn.
I could see this becoming a stoner classic in years to come or a film dissected in film schools across the globe, but despite all of that, I am not sure casual audiences will connect with what it is bringing to the table. It is more of a drug trip than a Hollywood blockbuster, but in spite of that, it was a film I could not forget, even days after seeing it at TIFF 2026. If you are in for a wild ride, give Alpha Gang a look, but be warned: it is a journey that will take you places you may not want to go.
