Xeno Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		2.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		2.5

Xeno Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 13, 2025

The massive success of 1982’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” certainly spawned plenty of copycats, putting producers to work dreaming up stories involving alien visitors and the young humans who love them. Traces of the Spielberg smash can still be found in cinema today, with “Xeno” clearly inspired by the classic film, providing a tale of discovery and bonding with a monstrous creature who’s drawn to the benevolent ways of a teen girl. However, there’s very little that’s cuddly in the feature, as writer/director Matthew Loren Oates aims to push his PG-13 rating with the material, which has its sweet moments, but also a violent side. A little extra intimidation factor helps “Xeno” achieve a different type of atmosphere, which is welcome, and there’s some wonderful technical surprises, as Oates dials down CGI achievements in the movie, turning to the Jim Henson Creature Shop to create the eponymous visitor, giving the endeavor a sense of the real as it deals with fantasy conflicts.

Renee (Lulu Wilson) is a 15-year-old girl living with her depressed mother, Linda (Wrenn Schmidt), who’s romantically involved with Chase (Paul Schneider), an alcoholic who doesn’t have much patience for the teenager. Renee loves reptiles and bugs, remaining an outcast at school, but her sense of curiosity hasn’t dimmed, soon drawn to the site of a truck wreck in the desert, discovering a large alien chained to the vehicle. Naming the beast “Croak,” Renee is cautious but kind to the visitor, earning its trust and, soon enough, sharing its mind as the alien physically bonds with the human. Fearing Croak will be killed if found by others, Renee hopes to hide the creature in her cellar, learning more about it, while also enjoying the unusual companionship. On the hunt for the arrival is Keyes (Omari Hardwick), a CIA agent who will stop at nothing to find and collect Croak, discovering Renee’s help as he gets closer to his prize.

Troubled kids is nothing new to the alien visitation subgenre, but Renee has it rough. She’s struggling to process the death of her father, who left the family suddenly, sending Linda into the depths of sadness that even medication can’t quite help. She’s alone at school, with her intelligence making her an outcast, only finding kindness from Gil (Trae Romano), a shy classmate. And there’s Chase, an angry, mean guy with a drinking problem he’s not committed to solving, embracing cruelty toward the teen. Renee has a room full of creatures to help with loneliness, and she soon has a bigger responsibility in Croak, who falls from space, crashing into Earth where he’s immediately targeted by a bewildered hunter. “Xeno” does an excellent job identifying Renee’s challenges, giving her clear motivation to approach the alien, doing so while armed with a gun stolen from Chase, only to realize she doesn’t need it.

Croak isn’t a cute guy. He resembles the xenomorph creature from “Alien,” with a more animalistic appearance. He’s also a physical creation for “Xeno,” as the production invests in a performance (credited to Garrett Van Der Leun), generating a presence in the frame that doesn’t usually come from CGI work. There’s a touch of “The Dark Crystal” in the design and execution, but Croak is a terrific addition to the feature, and he’s a complicated character, capable of puppy-ish behavior around Renee, but also doesn’t hesitate to kill when necessary. “Xeno” tracks the development of this relationship, which is cemented in some type of bonding ritual, giving Renee access to Croak’s mind, reinforcing her protective ways. And the situation is serious, as Keyes is a methodical man who ignores the law to get what he wants.

Xeno Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Xeno" is a very good film, but the image presentation (2.39:1 aspect ratio) has a lot of trouble securing an appealing visual experience. Compression issues are a common sight, finding tremendous surges in banding decimating visual quality, running almost throughout the entire movie. Blockiness is also present, with varying degrees of intensity. Detail is possible at times, offering decent skin particulars on the cast, while Croak retains harder alien textures. Exteriors maintain depth as the tale visits deserts and small town activity. Interiors are passably dimensional, exploring room decoration. Color is capable, with a sharp sense of primaries on costuming choices. Lighting moods are also preserved, getting into blues and greens. Brightness on desertscapes and greenery is welcome. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving Croak's shadowy appearance.

Xeno Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA delivers sharp dialogue exchanges on the human cast, maintaining softer emotionality and louder argumentative activity. Croak communication remains distinct as well. Scoring offers defined instrumentation and dramatic position, also working into the surrounds for a more circular presence at times. Atmospherics are appreciable, and sound effects are alert, exploring some panning and separation activity during action beats and creature movement. Low-end carries some weight during harder hits of violence and bass stings.

Xeno Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Matthew Loren Oates.

• Behind the Scenes (7:17, HD) examines the making of "Xeno," featuring interviews with writer/director Matthew Loren Oates, producer Jesse Jensen, post production producer Cassandra Killian, and actors Lulu Wilson and Trae Romano. Oates details the origin of the story, picking up on a drawing created by his son, who first imagined the look and benevolence of Croak, giving his father a solid idea for a movie. He also identifies "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" as a major influence on the picture. Story points are examined, along with the material's thematic reach and inspiration, with Amblin Entertainment on the minds of everyone during production. Characterization is highlighted, allowing Wilson to explore motivation used throughout the shoot. She also recalls her time with Croak, learning to play with the large creation. The conversation closes with hopes for viewers to connect with the message of the offering. Brief glimpses of BTS footage are also included.

• "Alien in the Making" (3:16, HD) focuses on the creation of Croak for "Xeno," featuring interviews with writer/director Matthew Loren Oates, creative supervisor Peter Brooke, and actors Lulu Wilson and Trae Romano. It's a dream-come-true scenario for Oates to work with the Jim Henson Creature Shop on the production, largely using a physical creation in the picture to help generate a sense of connection between viewers and the alien. An overview of Croak is supplied, detailing creative choices to help merge a human performance with a monstrous exterior.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:09, HD) is included.

Xeno Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Again, "Xeno" isn't for younger audiences, as Croak is capable of violence when Renee is attacked, playing up the interconnectedness of the relationship. And Keyes is vicious, unbothered by aggression towards the teen to get what he wants (Chase is also a menace). Still, there's gentleness to the picture as well, watching Croak be tamed by the power of Renee's music, and there's an effort to address the pain shared between the mother and daughter, who aren't communicating, allowing a divide to develop between them. "Xeno" does slow down some as it tries to find a climax, as Oates allows speechifying to take over the last act, but there's a lot here to like and even love, especially when the movie spends time with Croak and Renee, getting to the pure cinematic pleasures of a friendship that develops between inhabitants of different worlds.