You’ve heard or figured out on your own that January is one of those “dead zones” on the movie release calendar where studios have traditionally dumped films they have limited expectations for.

But there have been many exceptions to this in recent years — a horror breakout, clever counter-programming against the flood of Oscar contenders that many people have seen or are tired of hearing about since Thanksgiving — or an action picture, usually starring Mark Wahlberg.

The Wahlberg years are gone — he was to January what Will Smith once was to July 4 weekend — but here’s a Kristen Stewart/T.J. Miller “Alien” in the Deep thriller.

Could be fun. It opens Friday.