Alien from L.A. 1988

Wanda Saknussemm, Kathy Ireland, is a nerdy social misfit with large glasses and an unusually squeaky voice who works at a Los Angeles diner. After being dumped by her boyfriend for “not having a sense of adventure,” Wanda receives a letter informing her that her father, an archaeologist, has fallen into a bottomless pit and died. The envelope even notes the destination as Zamboanga, North Africa, a detail that adds a sense of mystery and misdirection. Driven by a mix of grief and stubborn curiosity, Wanda travels to this faraway clue and begins to sift through her father’s belongings, where she uncovers his notes about Atlantis — a civilization said to have been forged by the accidental crash of an alien ship that sank toward the planet’s molten core.

Her search leads her to a hidden chamber beneath her father’s apartment, and in a moment of peril she accidentally triggers a sequence of events that sends her plunging into a deep, unknown hole. When she regains consciousness, Wanda awakens far beneath the Earth’s surface in a world both familiar and alien. She is unharmed, but the subterranean realm is guarded by dangers she could never have imagined. Here, a sturdy miner named Gus, William R. Moses (the character is often referred to as Guten “Gus” Edway), becomes her unexpected ally. He is wary yet loyal, and he steps in to protect Wanda from two menacing antagonists who threaten her survival. Together they form an uneasy partnership as Wanda explains her purpose: she believes her father might still be alive and trapped underground, and she is determined to find him.

The two soon discover a startling truth: both Wanda and her father are believed to be spies, accused of planning an invasion of Atlantis. In this subterranean world, people from the surface are seen as intruders, and the Atlanteans view them as “aliens.” This misunderstanding fuels much of the danger Wanda faces, as she overhears whispers about her Malibu Beach life and becomes a hunted target. The danger isn’t just from the unknown: a shadowy government faction called Government House, along with the crime lord Mambino, dispatches thugs to capture or kill Wanda. Mambino, the menacing crime boss, is played with theatrical menace by Deep Roy, adding a palpable threat to Wanda’s journey.

Into this peril steps Charmin’, Thom Mathews, a handsome rogue who briefly aids Wanda in her escape and quickly grows fond of her. Charmin’ is bold, roguish, and driven by a willingness to risk himself for Wanda, even as he remains a bit of a mystery. His presence injects a glimmer of hope into Wanda’s mission, offering companionship and courage as they navigate a labyrinth of tunnels, shifting loyalties, and hidden agendas. Their growing bond provides a counterpoint to the fear and urgency that dominate Wanda’s quest.

As the adventure unfolds, the Atlantean leader and her soldiers press Wanda and her companions to a critical decision. The underground world’s politics intensify when General Rykov, a stern and uncompromising figure, tightens the net around Wanda and her imprisoned father. Janie du Plessis embodies the General with a mix of command and menace, raising the stakes for Wanda as she contemplates how far she will go to clear her and her father’s names. In a dramatic turn, the miner Gus arrives to aid the duo, engaging in a tense and fearless confrontation that helps them seize a momentary reprieve from their pursuers.

The chase and escape sequences are fast-paced, with beat-by-beat reversals that keep Wanda on the run from both the Government House and Mambino’s henchmen. Along the way, Wanda encounters other distinctive figures, including Roeyis Freki, also known as Auntie Pearl, a figure who adds a layer of eccentricity to the underground society Linda Kerridge. The presence of these characters helps paint a larger world beneath the surface, one that feels both fantastical and oddly grounded in its own rules. The film’s tone remains unabashedly adventurous, balancing action, humor, and a sense of wonder as Wanda grapples with the revelation that her own life might be part of a larger, conspiratorial scheme.

In a climactic sequence, Wanda and her father endure a series of close calls that culminate in a daring escape from General Rykov’s forces. Gus once again proves essential, using his strength and grit to hold back danger long enough for Wanda and her father to board a ship that carries them back to the surface world. The journey back is not simply a physical ascent but a reckoning with the truths Wanda has learned: Atlantis isn’t just a myth, nor is it a simple threat to surface life. It is a civilization with its own secrets and politics, and Wanda is pulled into the crossfire of espionage, loyalty, and survival.

Back on the surface, the film closes with Wanda arriving on a sunny beach, eyes bright with a mixture of relief and resolve. She wears a bikini and a sarong, a stark contrast to the world she left behind, signaling a new freedom and a readiness to confront whatever comes next. The ending nods to unresolved romantic tension as her ex-boyfriend makes a move, but Wanda is clear-headed and independent, choosing her own path rather than returning to old patterns. In a final, satisfying beat, she is reunited with Charmin’, who reappears on a motorcycle, suggesting that their connection may endure beyond the subterranean ordeal.

• Robbie, Wanda’s ex-boyfriend who broke up with her for “not having a sense of adventure,” is portrayed by Don Michael Paul.

• The Fat Lady, a memorable figure in the subterranean world, is played by Lynda Marshall, adding color and whimsy to the alien landscape.

• The film’s anchorman presence, Denis Smith, rounds out the ensemble with a touch of comic relief and worldliness that helps ground the strange events in a recognizably human perspective.

This cinematic journey blends myth, science fiction, and a dash of romance as Wanda navigates a hidden Earth beneath Los Angeles, uncovers a web of espionage and ancient alien influence, and learns to trust herself when facing a future that might finally be open to adventure.