Directed by the talented Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead, Don't Breathe) and produced under the watchful eye of Ridley Scott, the film is a return to peak heights of the franchise.
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The film's decision to focus on a younger group of protagonists is a refreshing departure from previous entries. This choice could offer a fresh perspective on the age-old battle between humans and the extraterrestrial terror that has haunted them since Ridley Scott's groundbreaking 1979 film. With a cast boasting the likes of Cailee Spaeny, and David Jonsson, among others, audiences can expect a dynamic and emotionally charged performance.
Alien: Romulus marks a bold return to the roots of the Alien franchise, stripping away the gloss of prior Ridley efforts and immersing viewers back into the grimy, blue-collar world that made the original film so iconic.
This latest installment takes us to the unforgiving Weyland-Yutani mining planet, Jackson’s Star, where the sun never shines and the air is thick with despair. This bleak setting lays the groundwork for a nerve-wracking journey that harks back to the franchise’s core themes of survival, corporate exploitation, and the horrors lurking in the dark.
At the heart of Romulus is Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny), a young woman hardened by the loss of her parents to the treacherous mines. Spaeny delivers a quietly intense performance, channeling the determined yet vulnerable spirit of her predecessors in the franchise. Her character’s relationship with her synthetic brother, Andy (David Jonsson), adds an emotional depth to the film that grounds the story in human (and synthetic) connections amidst the terror. The ensemble cast, including Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, effectively portrays a ragtag group of desperate souls each with their reasons for wanting to flee the oppressive planet.
The plot quickly spirals into chaos when Rain and her crew embark on a space heist to steal cryo-pods from an abandoned Weyland-Yutani ship, only to stumble upon a nightmare that has been lying dormant. The discovery of the iconic xenomorphs—still among the most terrifying creatures in cinema history—propels the film into a relentless horror experience. Álvarez wisely places the horror front and center, utilizing tight pacing and tension-filled sequences that are sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
Alien: Romulus is not just a throwback to the franchise’s past; it’s a celebration of it. Álvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues skillfully weave in elements from previous films, creating a sense of continuity while injecting fresh energy into the series. The film’s visual style, crafted by cinematographer Galo Olivares, evokes the gritty realism of Ridley Scott’s original Alien, while the score by Benjamin Wallfisch punctuates the film’s most terrifying moments with a haunting intensity.
However, the film’s reverence for its predecessors is both a strength and a weakness. While fans will appreciate the numerous callbacks and the faithful adherence to the franchise’s lore, there are moments where Romulus feels like it’s treading familiar ground. Some sequences, particularly in the third act, veer into territory that feels more like homage than innovation, occasionally pulling viewers out of the action with overly familiar dialogue and set-pieces.
Despite these minor criticisms, Alien: Romulus succeeds as a pulse-pounding horror-thriller. It delivers everything fans have come to expect from the series—visceral action, gruesome creature effects, and a sense of existential dread—all wrapped up in a tightly edited package. Álvarez’s direction shines as he balances the film’s blockbuster elements with the intimate terror that made the original Alien so effective.
Alien: Romulus is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Alien franchise. With its expertly crafted scares, strong performances, and a palpable sense of dread, it stands as one of the strongest entries in the series in decades. While it may not revolutionize the franchise, it offers a thrilling ride that honors the legacy of its predecessors while carving out its own place in the Alien pantheon. Fans of the series will find much to enjoy, even as they brace themselves for the familiar horrors that await.
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