Why Aliens Are Often Depicted as Humanoid

Have you ever wondered why, in nearly all depictions of alien life forms, they resemble humans more than anything else? This question has puzzled many, especially in the realm of science fiction, where creative license is often abundant. Throughout the history of films, books, and television shows, the humanoid appearance of extraterrestrial beings has become almost a standard aesthetic. However, it is essential to understand the reasons behind this trend.

Reasons Behind the Humanoid Depictions

1. Familiarity
Humanoid shapes are familiar to humans making it easier for audiences to relate to and understand alien characters. This familiarity can evoke empathy and emotional connections.

2. Cultural Influence
Many early science fiction works featured humanoid aliens, setting a precedent that has influenced subsequent portrayals. Classic films and literature like H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds have established this pattern, and it has persisted in popular culture for decades.

3. Symbolism
Humanoid aliens can symbolize various aspects of the human experience, such as fear, curiosity, and even our own evolutionary journey. This symbolism enriches the narrative and adds depth to the characters and their stories.

4. Narrative Convenience
Humanoid aliens allow for straightforward storytelling as they can interact with human characters in recognizable ways. This simplifies dialogue and plot development, making it easier for creators to craft compelling and coherent narratives.

5. Anthropocentrism Human beings have a tendency to view the universe through a human-centric lens. This tendency leads to the assumption that intelligent life would evolve in a similar form, even if the specifics differ. This biased perspective can influence the way extraterrestrial life is depicted in media.

Biological Considerations

A humanoid form, with bilateral symmetry and limbs, is a successful evolutionary design on Earth. Some creators speculate that intelligent life elsewhere might also evolve in a similar way due to similar environmental pressures even if the specifics differ.

Consider an alien species from my science fiction novel: Sure, she was hatched from an egg, her skin is ghostly white, and she doesn’t have a nose, fingernails, or boobs, but she has beautiful opal eyes, long white hair, and lavender lips! Wouldn’t you want to buy some nifty gadget from that cutie?

Then consider one of the alien species she trades with. They look like 7-foot-wide crustaceans with 8 eyes on stalks and 8 legs. The sight of one would probably frighten you out of your wits—never mind that they’re described as very hospitable and magnanimous.

Behind the Scenes

It's also worth noting that the reason depictions are often humanoid is principally budgetary constraints. It makes it easier to put a human actor into a suit during filming, especially when live-action special effects are used.

For example, in Star Wars: A New Hope, the aliens in the cantina scene, as well as the alien character portrayed by Evul Tann in the 1963 The Angry Red Planet, have humanoid features that make them more relatable and easier to film. These characters could pass for human, even with added enhancements like retractable antennae or morphing ability.

While there are many creative interpretations of alien life, these factors contribute to the prevalence of humanoid depictions in popular culture. It is a blend of familiarity, cultural influence, narrative convenience, anthropocentrism, and practicality that shapes our perceptions of extraterrestrial beings.