Xeno

A lonely high schooler befriends a vicious-looking alien she discovers in the desert and sets out to protect it from encroaching government forces. If that sounds familiar, it should: this is an old-fashioned template riddled with all tropes and archetypes, albeit bolstered by strong practical effects and a dash of old-fashioned charm. But what should be an ideal entry point for 11-year-olds is compromised by oddly gritty violence and abusive adult behavior that feels ripped from a much harsher reality.