Alien: Romulus

Released August 16, 2024

Directed by Fede Alvarez

Written by Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues

* No Spoilers *

Alien: Romulus wasn’t on my radar until I saw that epic first teaser trailer. Thankfully this is a case where a great trailer actually translates to a great movie. As much as I love to see original stories that aren’t based a other movies, comics, or novels, it’s also exciting to see a director inject new life into a series that has failed to reach the highs of its earlier days. Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead) and the team deliver on that promise with this terrifying and relentless revival of the Alien series.

The plot is reminiscent of the classic movies without being overly formulaic. The opening sequence is moody and dread inducing, and we get a solid introduction to the main characters before things get scary again. The characterization is strong, giving enough of their backstory before they are forced into an isolated and dangerous situation. It’s a great time throughout, but the opening was slower than I would have liked. I appreciate that it’s necessary setup, but the second act is where things really take off and the terrifying finale is what truly won me over. Without spoiling things, I’ll just say if you enjoyed the tense action in the middle of this movie you will be disturbed and on the edge of your seat by the end.

I love that one of the opening lines was a dad joke, and it’s not the only one. Though infrequent, that type of humour is a great contrast to the rest of the absolutely terrifying body horror without undercutting the dread. Unfortunately, a lot of the dialogue is pretty weak, and there is a fair amount of exposition — some of which is necessary, but it still feels wooden at times.

Despite this, Romulus touches on key themes from the series: corporate greed, the cutthroat nature of evolution, and defining what makes us human. It also discusses sacrifice and loyalty. The movie strikes a balance of fear and excitement, without sacrificing these philosophical themes. While not the richest exploration of the ideas, it goes beyond merely thrilling and disturbing the audience. The sacrifices made by the characters echo these larger existential dilemmas, reminding us of the cost of loyalty in a universe where survival is the only rule.

The plot is relatively straightforward, but brilliantly builds dread and tension with visual hints, especially for fans who know what to look for. Part of this comes from the impeccably crafted locations and sets. I often forgot that these weren’t real industrial environments but tangible sets fabricated by talented artists. There’s an abundant use of practical effects for the creatures. Animatronics, puppets, and people in suits always feel more convincing when enhanced by computer-generated effects rather than relying on CGI by itself. Every creature is believable and realistic, making them that much more horrifying. Romulus features one of the most disturbing creatures ever put to screen. It’ll probably will haunt my nightmares for weeks, and it was achieved by putting a tall actor with peculiar proportions in makeup and prosthetics.

Alvarez’s direction shines most in the creatively imagined scenarios and set pieces. After seven movies spanning over 40 years, I was shocked by the harrowing situations they crafted, and the even more innovative ways for the characters to escape. Whether it’s sensing heat, the deadly acidic blood, or using humans as hosts for their spawn, Romulus taps into the rich lore of these creatures’ and uses their physical attributes in ways I never expected.

Ensemble casts are nothing new for this series. Romulus doesn’t have as much star power, but it still features some great performances. Caille Spaeny (Priscilla, Civil War) plays Rain Carradine, an industrial worker who longs to escape her situation. Spaeny is excellent at emoting through facial expression, delivering a strong performance despite the wooden dialogue. As badass and relatable as Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, Spaeny is a worthy successor to one of sci-fi’s most iconic characters. Her physical performance and emotional presence go a long way to sell the nerve-wracking scenarios her character faces.

David Jonsson (Industry) plays Adam, a malfunctioning robot and companion to Rain. Jonsson is the clear stand out performance. His character takes on multiple personas, and the way he shifts his accent, movement, and demeanour is brilliant. Alien has plenty of memorable robot characters but Jonsson’s portrayal of Adam rivals — and in some ways exceeds— previous performances from Ian Holm and Michael Fassbender.

Isabela Merced (Sicario: Day of the Soldado) portrays genuine terror so well. She showcases horror acting at its finest, with eyes that convey hopeless dread and a blood-curdling scream worthy of the horror hall of fame. It’s a great depiction of a classic franchise moment, and her acting sells it beyond what’s presented on screen. The rest of the supporting cast is fine, if not forgettable. They serve their purpose in moving the story along and eventually act as victims of the monstrosities unleashed on them. Whether due to poor mixing or weak delivery, a few of their lines were unintelligible. The strong British accents didn’t help either.

The cinematography is immaculate, making this one of the most visually striking movies of the year. Full of bold framing, wide angles, and long shots that relish in the grandeur of these exciting set pieces. This is a masterclass in colour and dynamic lighting. Deep blacks and amber yellows make every colour pop while capturing darkness so well that it never feels like you cant see whats going on. That said, it’s not a flawless visual presentation. While I praised the practical effects, there is one character that is heavily reliant on CGI. It is impressive but they could have done more to obscure those rough edges and the uncanny valley when the character is shown in close-up.

The music is excellent, presenting a great reimagining of the previous films’ themes. It’s ambient, tense, and heroic when needed. Though reliant on existing musical motifs, I am glad they didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. The sound design is incredibly immersive and visceral. Everything feels textured, and so much care went into making the harsh industrial environments come to life beyond just seeing the gritty sets. Whether it’s the subtle, slimy squish of a facehugger’s legs or the massive metallic impact of a falling elevator, every sound immerses you into the horror. There are a few jump scares, and as usual, they are punctuated by sharp strings or crashing cymbals to sell the moment. Some may find that cheap, but it’s part of the horror movie experience, and I didn’t have an issue with it.

A welcome revival to the franchise, Alien: Romulus uses classic elements in fresh ways. It feels faithful to the older films while carving out it’s own unique style. Fede Alvarez is a horror master, and I am glad to see his talents succeed where so many previous directors have failed. Alvarez captures the atmosphere, visual style, and spirit of the original while incorporating the exciting action from it’s sequel. This is easily the best in the series since James Cameron’s Aliens. More than anything else, it succeeds by finally making Alien scary again.

8/10 - Alien: Romulus isn’t just a worthy successor—it’s a brilliant evolution of a classic sci-fi horror series. Masterful cinematography, incredible sound design, and a stellar finale make up for a slow start and wooden dialogue. David Jonnson is a gem, and Cailee Spaeny lives up as heir to the legendary Ripley. For fans of the franchise, and anyone who loves a truly terrifying sci-fi horror experience, this is the Alien movie we’ve been waiting for!

*Now streaming on Disney+

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