Species II

After the first crewed mission to Mars returns to Earth, the astronauts are celebrated as heroes. One of them, Commander Patrick Ross, has been infected with alien DNA on the planet and begins to transform, driven to spread his species by mating with human women. Women who bear his offspring die, and the resulting creatures put humanity at risk. The scientist Laura Baker, who worked on the earlier alien project, and the operative Press Lennox pursue Ross using Eve, a more controlled alien clone, as bait. Eve's own instincts complicate the plan.

Species II was released in 1998 and runs 93 minutes. It is the sixth feature directed by Peter Medak, following The Changeling (1980), Cosmic Princess (1982), Pinocchio (1984), The Krays (1990), The Human Voice (1990), Romeo Is Bleeding (1993) and The Hunchback (1997). Chris Brancato wrote the screenplay, and Frank Mancuso Jr. produced. Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen and Marg Helgenberger reprise their roles as Eve, Press Lenox and Dr. Laura Baker, joined by Justin Lazard as Patrick Ross, Mykelti Williamson as Dennis Gamble and James Cromwell as Senator Ross. The film continues the story begun in Species.

Made for a budget of 35 million dollars, Species II took about 19 million dollars worldwide, a result that fell well short of its cost. Audience reactions were weak: it holds 4.5/10 on IMDb from more than 30,000 votes and 5.2/10 on TMDB from over 850 votes. Critics were harsher still, giving it 3.3/10 across 34 reviews, placing it below the audience scores.