This research explores contemporary representations of monsters, aliens, and zombies as manifestations of the current imaginary, examining different forms of otherness. Inspired by Foucault’s ideas on alterity, these figures are analyzed within popular culture using Peirce’s triadic theory to decipher the implicit messages in these images. The primary essence of the monster is studied as a distortion of unity, the secondary nature of the alien as an other that reflects aspects of the human condition, and the tertiary representation of the zombie as a challenge to the boundaries of life itself. It is argued that these representations challenge and redefine our perception of humanity through a process of exploration and trial, characteristic of popular culture, where errors play a crucial role in interpretation. © 2025 Universidad Nacional de Colombia. All rights reserved.