The problem I have with Kermode's review ( I've never been a fan of what I've read from him. I know he's respected, but the couple of reviews I have read from him have been drivel and missing the points big time - I have his review of Nymphomaniac in mind ) is that he judges Covenant by comparing it endlessly to the original Alien, which is once again missing the point of the movie completely. Covenant is not about the Alien, it's about a robot gone mad in space. Two very different things.