Roswell, New Mexico (2019)

Overview
After reluctantly returning to her tourist-trap hometown of Roswell, New Mexico, the daughter of undocumented immigrants discovers a shocking truth about her teenage crush who is now a police officer—he’s an alien who has kept his unearthly abilities hidden his entire life. She protects his secret as the two reconnect and begin to investigate his origins, but when a violent attack and long-standing government cover-up point to a greater alien presence on Earth, the politics of fear and hatred threaten to expose him and destroy their deepening romance.
Starring Cast
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Bias Dimensions
Overview
After reluctantly returning to her tourist-trap hometown of Roswell, New Mexico, the daughter of undocumented immigrants discovers a shocking truth about her teenage crush who is now a police officer—he’s an alien who has kept his unearthly abilities hidden his entire life. She protects his secret as the two reconnect and begin to investigate his origins, but when a violent attack and long-standing government cover-up point to a greater alien presence on Earth, the politics of fear and hatred threaten to expose him and destroy their deepening romance.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Primary
The series explicitly critiques xenophobia, systemic discrimination, and government persecution through its alien allegory, consistently championing empathy, integration, and social justice for marginalized groups.
The series 'Roswell, New Mexico' features explicit racial recasting of several traditionally white roles with minority actors. Its narrative prominently integrates Latinx culture and addresses themes of immigration, prejudice, and the critique of traditional authority structures, making these elements central to the storytelling.
Secondary
Roswell, New Mexico features prominent and complex LGBTQ+ characters, most notably the bisexual Michael Guerin and gay Alex Manes. Their relationship is a central, affirming love story depicted with dignity and agency, overcoming external challenges. The series consistently portrays queer identities as valid and worthy of love and happiness, resulting in a net positive impact.
The character of Sheriff Valenti, a male figure in the original source material and prior adaptation, is portrayed as a female character (Kyle's mother) in this series.
The show adapts characters from the 'Roswell High' book series and the 1999 TV show. Key characters like Liz Parker (now Ortecho), Maria DeLuca, and Kyle Valenti, who were originally depicted as white, are portrayed by Latina, Black, and Mexican-American actors, respectively.
While the show critiques the misuse of Christian rhetoric to justify xenophobia against aliens, it consistently portrays individual Christian characters, like Arturo Ortecho, with respect, depicting their faith as a source of moral guidance and strength. The narrative frames bigotry as wrong, aligning with the virtues of the faith rather than condemning it.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
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