Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead), brings a fresh, yet familiar, dose of terror to the iconic franchise.
With a chilling atmosphere and a suspense-driven plot, the film captures the claustrophobic tension that made the original Alien films so memorable. However, while Romulus excels in its atmospheric horror and production design, it leans too heavily on fan service, sometimes to the detriment of its own identity.
In Alien: Romulus, a Weyland-Yutani space probe uncovers the wreckage of the USCSS Nostromo, finding an organic object that contains a xenomorph. The story centers on Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny), an orphan working at the colony Jackson’s Star with her adoptive brother Andy (David Jonsson), a reprogrammed synthetic human.
When Rain’s contract is extended by Weyland-Yutani, her ex-boyfriend Tyler (Archie Renaux) convinces her to join an expedition to retrieve cryostasis chambers from a derelict space station, Romulus and Remus, a reference to the two Roman twins. Alongside a group of Isabela Merced, Spike Faern, and Aileen Wu, they venture into the spacecraft, only to find themselves in a deadly confrontation with xenomorphs. As the situation spirals out of control, Rain must confront not only the terrifying creatures but also the dark intentions of Weyland-Yutani.
Production Design and Direction
Álvarez’s direction shines in Alien: Romulus. The film’s production design is meticulously crafted, blending the gritty, industrial aesthetic of the original Alien with modern, polished visuals. The interior of the derelict space station is a haunting maze of shadows and flickering lights.
Álvarez creates a palpable sense of dread, with every corner potentially hiding a lurking xenomorph. The tension is heightened by the score, which echoes the eerie, minimalist tones of Jerry Goldsmith’s original Alien soundtrack.
REELated:
A Double-Edged Sword: Fan Service
While Alien: Romulus effectively channels the horror and suspense of the earlier films, it does so at the cost of originality. The film pays homage to every corner of the franchise, from Alien and Aliens to Prometheus and even Alien: Resurrection.
Fans will appreciate the references and callbacks, but the reliance on nostalgia sometimes feels excessive. The plot, though engaging, occasionally feels like a greatest hits reel rather than a story with a fresh perspective. With connections and references to all of the six prior Alien films—Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 (1992), Alien Resurrection (1997), Prometheus (2012), and Alien: Covenant (2017)— the narrative at times can feel unoriginal and predictable as if it’s ticking off boxes on a checklist of franchise nods.
Final Thoughts
Alien: Romulus is a visually stunning and terrifying entry into the saga that both benefits and suffers from its deep connection to the franchise’s legacy. Álvarez’s skillful direction and the film’s atmospheric tension will please fans of the series, but the heavy reliance on past glories may leave some viewers yearning for a more original take.
Nonetheless, Romulus is a worthy addition, reminding us why this series has endured for over four decades.
BOTTOM LINE: Alien: Romulus not only marks a return to the atmospheric horror that defined the original franchise but also serves as a love letter to the series’ entire history. It’s a REEL SEE.
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The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
