Resident Alien (1990): cast, story & where to watch
1990 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1990, Resident Alien is a documentary film directed by Jonathan Nossiter, running about 83 minutes.
What it’s about. At age 73, writer and melancholy master of the bon mot, Quentin Crisp (1908-1999), became an Englishman in New York. Nossiter's camera follows Crisp about the streets of Manhattan, where Crisp seems very much at home, wearing eye shadow, appearing on a makeshift stage, making and repeating wry observations, talking to John Hurt (who played Crisp in the autobiographical TV movie, "The Naked Civil Servant"), and dining with friends. Others who know Crisp comment on him, on his life as an openly gay man with an effeminate manner, and on his place in the history of gays' social struggle. The portrait that emerges is of one wit and of suffering.
Who’s in it. Resident Alien stars Quentin Crisp as Self, Peter Walker as The Bum, Gilbert Stafford as Man on Street and Gus Rogerson as Street Performer, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, Resident Alien has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Resident Alien page.
If you liked it. Fans of Resident Alien tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Resident Alien (1990)?
- In US, Resident Alien is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Resident Alien worth watching?
- Resident Alien holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Resident Alien?
- Resident Alien stars Quentin Crisp, Peter Walker, Gilbert Stafford, Gus Rogerson and Michaela Murphy.
- When was Resident Alien released?
- Resident Alien was released in 1990, with a runtime of about 83 minutes.