Battleship (2012) is a sci-fi action film directed by Peter Berg, inspired by the classic naval combat board game. Set mostly in the Pacific Ocean, the story follows Alex Hopper (played by Taylor Kitsch), a rebellious and undisciplined naval officer, who is forced to step up when Earth comes under attack from a technologically advanced alien species. What begins as a routine international naval exercise quickly turns into a desperate battle for survival.
The alien invaders, referred to as “Regents,” land in the ocean near Hawaii and generate a powerful force field that traps a handful of naval ships, cutting them off from the rest of the fleet. Hopper, along with his crew and a few allied ships, must figure out how to outmaneuver the alien vessels using clever tactics and limited resources. The stakes escalate as they realize the aliens are attempting to send a signal to summon reinforcements from their home planet.
Alongside Hopper, key characters include his brother Stone (Alexander Skarsgård), his girlfriend Sam (Brooklyn Decker), and her father Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson). Rihanna also stars as a weapons specialist named Raikes, delivering a strong supporting performance. The film combines military camaraderie with high-stakes alien combat and even features the iconic battleship USS Missouri, manned by a group of veterans in a pivotal moment of the film.
Although Battleship received mixed critical reception—praised for its action but criticized for its plot—it has gained a cult following over time for its ambitious mix of naval warfare and sci-fi spectacle. The film’s visual effects, explosive set-pieces, and patriotic themes make it a memorable, if unconventional, addition to the alien invasion genre.