Alien from L.A. (1988): Cast & Plot
Alien from L.A. is a 1988 family adventure film directed by Albert Pyun, starring Kathy Ireland as Wanda Saknussemm, Richard Haines and William R. Moses. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 27m (87 min)
- Director
- Albert Pyun
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- The Cannon Group
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Alien from L.A. About?
The premise of Alien from L.A. without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When her archaeologist father vanishes during an expedition, teenager Wanda ventures into the Earth's core. There she discovers a hidden subterranean civilization that has long dismissed surface life as myth. Mistaking her arrival for espionage, the underground dwellers imprison Wanda and her father while they face an unexpected clash of worlds.
Alien from L.A. Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- underground city
- hidden civilization
- daughter searching for missing father
- california
- skirt
- nerdy girl
- atlantis
- woman wears eyeglasses
- psychotronic film
- low budget sci fi movie
- steampunk
- father daughter relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- independent film
- bikini
- upskirt
- beach
- gangster
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- father daughter reunion
- breakup
- capture
- general
- misfit
- miner
- girl wears eyeglasses
- eyeglasses
- sneakers
- torch
- cellar
- wastelands
- falling down
- hit on the head with a frying pan
- shoulder length hair
- pointing a gun at someone
- gun
- throwing a rock at someone
- sleepy girl
- falling asleep
- big glasses
- sci fi parody
- sci fi spoof
- special delivery
- co written by director
- africa
- frying pan as a weapon
- reference to minnie pearl
- scene during end credits
- dystopian sci fi
- steampunk sci fi
- woman
Alien from L.A. Cast & Characters
Kathy Ireland leads the cast as Wanda Saknussemm, with Richard Haines as Prof. Arnold Saknussemm and William R. Moses as Guten 'Gus' Edway. Directed by Albert Pyun; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Albert Pyun
- Kathy Ireland as Wanda Saknussemm
- Richard Haines as Prof. Arnold Saknussemm
- William R. Moses as Guten 'Gus' Edway
- Deep Roy as Mambino
Also Starring in Alien from L.A.
· 10 more- Thom Mathews Charmin'
- Janie du Plessis General Rykov / Shank / Claims Officer
- Linda Kerridge Roeyis Freki / Auntie Pearl
- Don Michael Paul Robbie
- Lynda Marshall Fat Lady
- Denis Smith Anchorman
- Jeff Celentano Tola (as Jeff Weston)
- Greg Latter Security Officer
- Simon Poland Consul Triton Crassus / The Mailman
- Christian Andrews Brick Bardo
More from Albert Pyun
More films directed by Albert Pyun, best-rated first: The Sword and the Sorcerer, Cyborg, Captain America: Director’s Cut and Bulletface.
Alien from L.A. Plot Summary
What happens in Alien from L.A. from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
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.
Full summary
The whole story of Alien from L.A., scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Alien from L.A.?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which actress portrays the heroine Wanda Saknussemm?
Cars in Alien from L.A.
6 cars on screen, including the unknown and the unknown.
-
unknown Important role -
unknown Important role -
Honda CMX 450 Rebel Minor role -
1968 MG B Minor role
Alien from L.A. Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Un'aliena al centro della terra” and “Wanda”.
- Also known as
-
- Un'aliena al centro della terra
- Wanda
- Obcy z Los Angeles
- Uma Estranha de Los Angeles
- Пришелец из Лос-Анджелеса
- Η Εξωγήινη Από το Λος Άντζελες
- Flucht aus Atlantis - Alien from L.A.
- Инопланетянка из Лос-Анджелеса
- L'Aventure fantastique
- 洛城异形
- Flucht aus Atlantis
- LA에서 온 외계인
Seen Alien from L.A.?
Movies Like Alien from L.A.
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Alien Species, Alien Beasts and Alien Hunter.
Alien from L.A. FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Alien from L.A., each answered in a sentence.
How long is Alien from L.A.?
Alien from L.A. runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).
When was Alien from L.A. released?
Alien from L.A. was released on February 26, 1988.
Who directed Alien from L.A.?
Alien from L.A. was directed by Albert Pyun.
More films by Albert Pyun Who is in the cast of Alien from L.A.?
Alien from L.A. stars Kathy Ireland as Wanda Saknussemm, Richard Haines as Prof. Arnold Saknussemm and William R. Moses as Guten 'Gus' Edway, among 14 credited actors.
Does Alien from L.A. have a post-credit scene?
No. Alien from L.A. has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
