Ellen Ripley is the lead character in the "Alien" film franchise, and is played by actress Sigourney Weaver. Ripley first appeared in the 1979 movie "Alien" and subsequently starred in the sequels "Aliens" (1986), "Alien 3" (1992), and "Alien: Resurrection" (1997).

In "Aliens", Ripley is awakened from cryogenic sleep 57 years after the events of the first film and is recruited by a team of space marines to investigate the sudden loss of contact with a remote colony. Despite being initially hesitant to return to the planet where she encountered the terrifying extraterrestrial creatures known as Xenomorphs, Ripley agrees to accompany the Marines on their mission.

Throughout the film, Ripley is shown to be a strong and capable leader who uses her experience and knowledge of the Xenomorphs to try to keep the team alive. She also forms a close bond with a young girl named Newt, who is the only survivor of the colony. Ripley's maternal instincts towards Newt are a major theme in the film, and provide an emotional core to the story.

In addition to her leadership and maternal qualities, Ripley is also a skilled fighter who is able to hold her own against the Xenomorphs. She is resourceful, clever, and unafraid to take on dangerous situations.

Ripley has become an iconic character in the science fiction genre, known for her strength, intelligence, and resilience. Sigourney Weaver's portrayal of Ripley has been widely praised, and the character has had a significant impact on the representation of women in action and sci-fi movies.