Alien: Romulus is a new chapter in the iconic space horror franchise. Two decades have passed since the events of Alien (1979). Never one to learn from their mistakes, the morally questionable mega-corporation Weyland-Yutani looks for remnants of the USCSS Nostromo. The Nostromo was the fateful spaceship that had an encounter with a murderous xenomorph, and the majority of the crew perished. The corporation successfully retrieves a cocoon from the wreckage and begins running experiments on its contents. Some time later, miner Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) dreams of escape. Forced into a life of labor with her adopted android “brother” Andy (David Jonsson), she will do anything to get off-planet and start a new life. When Rain meets up with a crew of similarly-minded people, they hatch a plan. Together, they will secretly board a seemingly decommissioned space station and use its resources to fly away. Unfortunately for them, they have no idea about the horrors awaiting them once they arrive.
What works in Alien: Romulus is the return to fundamentals for the franchise. Writer/director Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe) relies on practical effects coupled with strong characters to engage audiences. It works tremendously well. Within a few scenes, Álvarez will have audiences caring about the protagonists with sympathetic plights and general relatability. Álvarez then immediately uses those connections to keep watchers on the edge of their seat the rest of the runtime. Minute after minute, the tension rises. Throughout, Álvarez blends nostalgia and freshness. Longtime fans of the Alien series will find plenty of familiar references. At the same time, Álvarez creates brand new toys, set pieces, and scenarios to play with in his sandbox. The result is a fantastically and frightfully fun experience that’s bound to get hearts racing.
RELATED: 20th Century Studios to Release Collectible VHS Of Alien: Romulus
Viewers disgusted by body horror should probably skip Alien: Romulus. At several moments, the production team provides some truly awful images as the aliens inevitably begin massacring the humans. In particular, audiences who are uncomfortable with gore associated with pregnancy should avoid this film. Alien: Romulus is a film specifically designed to make peoples’ stomachs turn, and it is very effective. In a way, Álvarez’s reliance on tangible props and actors in costumes makes Alien: Romulus a much more visceral experience. Depending on one’s taste for such violence, this is either a positive or a deterrent. Basically, be warned: this is not for the faint of heart.
Alien: Romulus is another rare example of a legacy sequel done exceptionally well. It honors the past while also taking the universe into new and exciting directions. Furthermore, by keeping the scope relatively small, Álvarez creates an intimacy that will keep audiences incredibly engaged. Highly recommended for fans of the franchise.
Recommended if you enjoyed: Prey, Life, Nope
Alien: Romulus is now available to purchase on various digital platforms.
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