"Species", erotic science fiction

Science fiction has never looked so artistically sensual as in "Species", a true cult piece of erotic-technological horror.

Under Roger Donaldson's skilful direction, Robert Fraisse's photography bathes the film in a hypnotic atmosphere, somewhere between the brutal and the dreamlike.

The presence of Natasha Henstridge as the hybrid alien Sil is pure alien seduction, a performance that overflows with half-woman, half-machine sensuality.

She escapes from an observation laboratory, with the aim of mating with men to produce offspring that could destroy the human race. To prevent this, the scientist Javier Fich (Ben Kingsley) sends a professional killer (Michael Madsen), a psychiatrist, a biologist and an anthropologist on her quest.

Despite the disparaging criticisms of the time, "Species" is much more than a mere work of B entertainment. Its images have a thought behind them.

I wouldn't be surprised if, with the passing of time, it is vindicated and enjoyed by new generations of genre lovers. A hidden gem.

It grossed more than 113 million dollars worldwide, multiplying by 3 its budget of 33 million and was one of the 10 highest grossing films of 1995.

Two sequels to the film were made, one in 1998 and one in 2004 but without the magic of its predecessor.