★★★★
Alien: Romulus Information
- Release Date: August 16, 2024.
- Director: Fede Álvarez, known for his work on horror hits like Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe (2016).
- Main Cast: The film features a lineup of rising stars:
- Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine, the lead character.
- David Jonsson as Andy.
- Isabela Merced as Kay.
- Archie Renaux as Tyler.
- Spike Fearn as Bjorn.
- Aileen Wu as Navarro.
- Run Time: 159 minutes.
Plot Summary
Alien: Romulus drops us right back into the universe we’ve come to know and dread. The story centres around a young protagonist, who finds themselves on a remote colony ship. Of course, things quickly go awry when the ship encounters a familiar, deadly alien threat. The film follows the usual beats—struggle for survival, a mysterious synth, and, of course, a climactic showdown. The narrative doesn’t stray far from the classic formula: humans versus the alien, with the dark corridors and confined spaces we’ve come to expect from the franchise.
Standout moments are peppered throughout, particularly in the second half of the movie. The exposition-heavy first half sets the stage, giving us a closer look at life on the colonies—an angle that hasn’t been fully explored in previous films. While this pacing might feel slow for some, it gives the story a chance to breathe before the alien chaos begins. The final act introduces some fresh twists, particularly in the creature designs and their behaviours, which add a new layer of tension to the familiar setup.
Characters and Performances
The cast is led by a young, relatively unknown actress, Cailee Spaeny, who portrays the protagonist with a blend of vulnerability and resilience. She holds her own, though the script occasionally lets her down by leaning into familiar tropes. Supporting her are a mix of rising stars and familiar faces, including a standout performance by the synth, David Jonsson, whose dry wit and eerie calm add much-needed humour to the intense atmosphere. This synth also gets some of the best lines in the film.
Character-wise, the film tries to tap into the Gen Z vibe, with a cast that skews younger. This may appeal to newer audiences, but it can feel a bit forced for longtime fans of the franchise. The emotional connections between characters don’t quite land, largely because we’ve seen these dynamics before—whether it’s the tough-as-nails leader, the geeky techie, or the rookie trying to prove herself. That said, the performances are solid overall, with no glaring weaknesses. If anything, the actors elevate the material they’re given, bringing depth to otherwise one-dimensional roles.
Direction and Cinematography
Visually, Alien: Romulus has its moments. The director leans heavily into the aesthetic established by earlier films but introduces some creative camera work that adds a fresh perspective. The zero-gravity scenes, in particular, are both disorienting and immersive, capturing the helplessness of floating in space with no control. The camera mimics this weightlessness, creating a dizzying effect that pulls you deeper into the experience.
Colour plays a crucial role in setting the mood, with the use of red lighting in particular, amplifying the sense of danger and urgency. Darkness, too, is used effectively—not just as a backdrop, but as an active element in the story. There are scenes where the alien lurks just out of sight, obscured by shadows, creating a claustrophobic tension that’s hard to shake off and will have you looking in every dark corner.
Screenplay and Dialogue
The screenplay is where Alien: Romulus stumbles a bit. The dialogue is serviceable, occasionally dipping into cringey territory with lines that feel too on the nose. However, there are moments of lightheartedness that work well, particularly those involving the synth. The callbacks to previous films are handled with a light touch, avoiding the trap of over-reliance on nostalgia.
One of the standout lines comes during a tense exchange between the protagonist and the synth. Without spoiling it, let’s just say that the synth’s deadpan delivery of a callback joke at a critical moment provided a much-needed break from the relentless tension. It’s a reminder that even in the most dire of situations, a little humour can go a long way in keeping an audience engaged.
Music and Soundtrack
The soundtrack does its job, blending seamlessly with the on-screen action without drawing too much attention to itself. It’s the kind of score that you expect from a horror movie—moody, atmospheric, with just the right amount of tension. What stands out more, though, is the use of silence. There are moments where the absence of sound is more terrifying than any jump scare, particularly in scenes set in the vacuum of space.
Sound effects, too, are on point. The alien’s screech, the hiss of escaping air, the muffled thud of footsteps in zero gravity—all these elements work together to create an immersive soundscape. The combination of sound and silence heightens the tension, keeping you on the edge of your seat, especially during the more suspenseful moments.
Pacing and Editing
Pacing is one of the more frustrating aspects of Alien: Romulus. The film takes its time building up to the action, which might test the patience of viewers expecting non-stop thrills from the get-go. However, this slower start allows for more in-depth world-building and character development, giving us a glimpse into life on the colonies before everything goes sideways.
The editing is smooth for the most part, though there are a few moments where transitions feel a bit jarring. It’s nothing too distracting, but there are points where the flow could have been a bit more polished. Once the alien threat is fully unleashed, the movie hits its stride, with the final act delivering a relentless barrage of action that more than makes up for the slower beginning.
Themes and Messages
At its core, Alien: Romulus doesn’t stray far from the themes that have defined the franchise: survival, the dangers of unchecked corporate greed, and the primal fear of the unknown. These ideas are presented clearly, though without much subtlety. The film also touches on the idea of sacrifice, particularly in the context of the protagonist’s journey. It’s a theme that’s been explored before, but Romulus manages to put a slightly different spin on it.
The message, while familiar, still resonates, particularly in today’s climate where corporate interests often clash with individual well-being. However, the film doesn’t delve too deeply into these ideas, preferring to keep the focus on the present, visceral terror of the alien threat. It’s effective, but it might leave some viewers wishing for a bit more depth in its commentary.
Visual and Special Effects
The special effects in Alien: Romulus are a mixed bag. On the one hand, the creature designs are as terrifying as ever, with some new twists that will surely give even the most jaded horror fans a reason to squirm. The gore is handled well, never feeling excessive but still packing a punch when it needs to. Practical effects are used where possible, and it shows—there’s a tangible, gritty quality that CGI just can’t replicate.
However, the CGI, while generally solid, falters in a few key areas. A de-aged character, for instance, just doesn’t look quite right, pulling you out of the experience. The environments, while impressive in scope, occasionally feel a bit too polished, lacking the lived-in feel that made the original films so immersive. Despite these flaws, the visuals still manage to enhance the story, particularly in the more intense, action-packed sequences.
Overall Impression of Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus is a solid, but not groundbreaking, addition to the franchise. It delivers what fans of the series have come to expect: intense action, a terrifying alien threat, and a battle for survival in the darkest corners of space. The slow start might put some viewers off, but it ultimately pays off by giving us a deeper look at the world these characters inhabit.
The film’s strengths lie in its creature designs, its effective use of sound (or lack thereof), and some standout performances, particularly from the synthetic played by (actor). On the flip side, the plot is fairly generic, the dialogue can be hit-or-miss, and the CGI, while generally good, falls flat in certain areas. Despite these issues, Romulus is still a tense, entertaining ride that will satisfy most fans of the franchise.
Alien: Romulus – Rating:
4/5. It’s worth a watch, especially if you’re a fan of the series, but don’t expect it to redefine the genre.
Alien: Romulus – Recommendation:
If you’re into alien horror, gore, and action, Alien: Romulus is definitely worth checking out. It may not do much to advance the franchise, but it’s a well-crafted thriller that delivers on its promises. Just be prepared for a slow start, and don’t expect too many surprises.
