Xtra (film)

Xtra is a 1982 British horror film directed by Harry Bromley Davenport. The film is noted for its science fiction elements intertwined with horror, drawing comparisons to Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, though Xtra takes a much darker and more violent approach to the alien encounter theme.

The plot revolves around a young boy, Duane, who forms a telepathic bond with an alien creature that lands near his home. The alien, initially vulnerable and childlike, rapidly evolves into a murderous being due to the negative influence of the adults around it, particularly the boy's stepfather. As the alien's powers grow, it begins to wreak havoc on the surrounding community, prompting desperate measures to stop it.

Xtra is notable for its graphic special effects and its controversial themes, exploring themes of innocence corrupted, the destructive nature of fear and prejudice, and the breakdown of family dynamics. Despite initial negative reviews, the film has garnered a cult following over the years, appreciated for its exploitation elements, practical effects, and its subversion of typical alien encounter narratives.