Let’s be real, we have been waiting a long time for a legit scary follow-up to 1979’s Alien and 1986’s Aliens. Since the first two introduced us to facehuggers, Xenomorphs and Queens, we have been subjected to one of David Fincher’s few mistakes in Alien 3 (1992) and Alien Resurrection (1997) where Sigorney Weaver’s Ripley engaged in a Xenomorph orgy.
Then there were the Alien v Predator films in 2004 and 2007, respectively. We thought originator Ridley Scott would get us back on track with Prometheus (2012) and Alien Convenant (2017). He got close but no cigar. Oh, and Covenant’s explanation for the Xenomorphs was unnecessary and ridiculous.
Now, we have the trailer for the newest iteration and the responsibility of scaring us out of our seats falls on the shoulders of director Fede Álvarez of Evil Dead fame. This red-band sneak peek is not for the faint-hearted.
Unlike its predecessors Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, which leaned heavily on sci-fi themes, Alien: Romulus is poised to deliver a gore-filled horror experience. Álvarez draws inspiration from both Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens, but this film feels more like a pure horror movie, emphasizing terror over action.
Plot and Characters
The trailer reveals a group of young space colonizers scavenging a derelict space station. This is similar to Álvarez’s set up to Don’t Breathe. These characters, unlike previous crews of professionals and scientists, are inexperienced and ill-equipped to handle the deadly threats they encounter. Álvarez’s unique approach places these young, inexperienced characters in situations that heighten the horror for the audience. Watch the trailer below:
REELated:
“My first instinct, just to try something different that hasn’t been seen before, was to approach it from the angle of characters who are not professionals or scientists; they’re not even adults,” Álvarez explained. “When the characters are professionals, they know more than you do. But when they’re still in their early 20s, they don’t know how to operate the f***ing airlock.”
The film explores themes of siblinghood and survival. The title Romulus hints at deeper connections within the plot, particularly with the infamous Weyland-Yutani corporation, a staple of the franchise’s lore.
We can expect classic Alien horror staples such as Facehuggers, chestbursters, and the acid-spewing Xenomorphs. The red-band trailer showcases intense, bloody encounters that promise to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Álvarez ensures that each terrifying moment propels the narrative forward, adding depth to the characters’ struggles.
Alien: Romulus stars:
- Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla)
- David Jonsson (Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy)
- Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone)
- Isabela Merced (The Last of Us)
- Spike Fearn (Aftersun)
- Aileen Wu
Directed by Fede Álvarez, the screenplay is co-written with Rodo Sayagues (Don’t Breathe 2), based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. The film is produced by Ridley Scott, who directed the original Alien, along with Michael Pruss, Walter Hill, and Elizabeth Cantillon.
Alien: Romulus is set to terrify audiences when it hits theaters on August 16, 2024.
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The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
