Elevates the concept of cosmic horror to its logical next step. From the insignificance of man to the insignificance of ego. In the alien organism the protagonists see more than just a threat to their lives. It's a threat to their (our) sense of reality. Ideas are rendered only existent in relativity. Physical manifestations of dogs, for example, are only destroyed after the idea of a dog becomes irrelevant. In some ways this movie is similar to Predator in how it deconstructs 80s action hero archetypes in the clash with the unknown. The alien lacks the sense of self, yet is the ultimate survivor. In order to beat it, the protagonists must overcome their own survivor instinct and commit a self-sacrifice. The theme of survival plays out similar to the theme of hunting in Predator. Once doom becomes inevitable, what used to symbolize an existential dread turns into a mirror for the soul. There is no journey left other than the inward one.