Brett

An engineering technician on the Nostromo who is killed while trying to retrieve the ship's cat, Jones.

Samuel Elias Brett (Harry Dean Stanton) serves as an engineering technician aboard the Nostromo and maintains a close friendship with his superior, Parker. Throughout the mission, he persistently seeks increased pay and bonus awards that he believes are rightfully due to him. His role takes a fatal turn while the crew hunts for the Alien, when Brett tries to retrieve the ship's cat, Jones. During this search, he encounters the mature Xenomorph, which kills him instantly and drags his body into an air duct.

Quick Facts

Role: Engineering Technician
Ship: Nostromo
Portrayed by: Harry Dean Stanton

Lore & Background

Brett occupied a specific role on the Nostromo as an engineering technician, working closely alongside Parker, who served as his engineering chief. He ventured into the ship's depths where the Xenomorph was active. The mature Alien intercepted him during this search, resulting in his immediate death and dragging his remains into the ventilation system.

Reader's Guide

Samuel Elias Brett function as the Nostromo's engineering technician, a role requiring intimate knowledge of the ship's industrial systems and lower decks. He is characterized by his pragmatic focus on compensation, persistently asking for increased-pay and bonus awards throughout the film. His primary narrative function involves his connection to Jones, the ship's cat. The search proves fatal: he follows Jones into a landing leg compartment, where the now fully-grown Alien kills him. The original 1979 release omitted key moments of his death and subsequent state; however, the 2003 director's cut restored scenes where Ripley and Parker observe his demise and his cocooned body, providing a darker context suggested by writer Dan O'Bannon regarding his potential use as an incubator.

Did You Know?

Harry Dean Stanton stated he was not a fan of science-fiction or horror films when he auditioned for the role of Brett.
Director Ridley Scott replied to Stanton that he also did not like those genres but expected Alien to do well.