ALIEN: ROMULUS – A Thrilling Addition to the Sci-Fi Horror Franchise

A group of scavengers have a terrifying face-off with deadly alien beings while aboard an abandoned spaceship. Set between the Sigourney Weaver classics Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), Alien: Romulus weaves itself into the franchise seamlessly to deliver a space horror blockbuster and a thrilling theatrical experience.

Directed by Fede Álvarez and co-written with Rodo Sayagues, the film stays true to the earlier films, which is clear from the get-go with its retro-futuristic approach. It manages to capture that gritty late-70s aesthetic, something I missed somewhat in the prequel films Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. Although I enjoyed those films, there is something so satisfying about the overall aesthetic from that original era.

It connects to those films in many ways through various plot points and even some fun easter eggs, surprises, and visual parallels. While the film doesn’t do anything drastically different than its predecessors, it still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense. And suspense is certainly what Álvarez does best—as seen with his films Don’t Breathe and the 2013 remake of Evil Dead.

From the moment our crew of misfits step aboard the adrift station, the film keeps viewers stewing in that tension, especially as our characters try to maneuver through a spaceship overrun with villainous creatures. And the popcorn thrills only amp up more and more as the story progresses, serving up an exhilarating final act. Which also makes for a fun cinematic experience, especially in IMAX.

The film stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu; all of which deliver solid performances. For Spaeny, she has had quite the career journey, fresh off of Civil War and last year’s acclaimed Priscilla, and I enjoyed seeing her in such an action-packed role while still maintaining a vulnerability.

There is an endearing story between her and Jonsson, with the latter giving an incredibly compelling performance as an android named Andy, which was a standout for me. It helped add an emotional level that makes you root for their bond to survive through the chaos and destruction.

But it is not just the human performers that you’ll be impressed by, as it also boasts incredible practical effects. Again, this aspect helps to bring the film back to that distinct grit and realism. From puppeteering to the chestburster gag and beyond, these are just elements that feel so integral to science fiction horror and are such a delight for viewers; I enjoyed it all so much.

With Alien: Romulus, Álvarez had big shoes to fill from the beloved directors before him, but I think he succeeds in respecting the earlier installments while adding his touch. While it doesn’t give anything wildly unexpected for the overall plot, it has many impressive technical feats, amazing performances, and incredibly tense sequences that make for a thrilling, enjoyable return to the franchise.