The Alien franchise has grown and evolved over time after scaring onto screens back in 1979. The sequel Aliens became just as iconic as the first film and then sadly two sequels later the franchise dwindled down. What followed was a couple of divisive crossover films with the Predator film series and then a resurrection of sorts with Ridley Scott returning for two prequel films, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. The franchise has centred a lot around the theme of creation, especially with the prequel films. This theme has translated particularly well in terms of how the iconic Xenomorphs have constantly changed too, with cross-breeds and different types being introduced in each film. The question is, are these themes still present in Alien: Romulus and what else does this latest film offer in this space survival franchise?
Alien: Romulus is directed by filmmaker Fede Alvarez, who has made some other horror films in the past with his strongest and more popular one being Don’t Breathe. His focus on the characters, atmosphere and tension in that film has translated excellently within this Alien film. Alien: Romulus acts as a bridge that connects the original Alien film to Aliens. Despite having an entirely new cast there is a lot of homages to the original films.
The cast includes the likes of Isabela Merced and Archie Renaux but the standout stars are Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson. Spaeny plays Rain with Jonsson playing her “brother” Andy. I won’t spoil the true relationship these two characters share but it is the heart of the film. Rain and her friends attempt to leave the mining colony on their planet and luckily they find a space station which could take them to another planet. Split into two sections, Romulus and Remus, the space station harvests a few secrets with one of them being a host site for Xenomorphs. The story then kicks into survival mode as the young team attempt to escape the station and head to another world.
Alien: Romulus has several twists and turns and each one amps up the horror and tension in new and interesting ways. There is a lot of nostalgia at play here, from the grainy film aesthetic, to the practical effects, to the synthetic score and even in terms of how the narrative plays out. In this regard it feels like a love-letter to the franchise and some may complain it honours the legacy of the series a bit too much! Luckily the film has a lot of new and creative moments for how the team dispatches this alien menace. The last act of the film even attempts something truly horrifying and unique that it even unsettled me in a lot of ways, which is saying something.
The film from start to finish feels like a rollercoaster ride that just doesn’t stop. The horror, the atmosphere and the story plays out in a very evenly paced way. David Jonsson is remarkable in his role of Andy and easily steals the film as the story plays more on the philosophical elements of the series. It may require some knowledge of the series but it also offers a fresh new look at a franchise that needed updated. The scope and look of the film certainly has that cinematic element and it draws you in completely. Alien: Romulus is a remarkable piece of cinema that deserves its place on the biggest screen possible.
★★★★☆
4/5
Final Verdict:
Alien: Romulus is a thrill ride. From the opening moments on a murky planet to the silent and deadly space station the film doesn’t let you breathe, you’re constantly at the edge of your seat wondering what is around the corner. The cast and script are excellent with Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson being the stand-outs in a very impressive cast. The set pieces deliver and it takes the series in some bold and interesting new directions. It may feel very similar to the original film but that to me just feels the filmmaker is just honouring the past while pushing the series to new and interesting futures.
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Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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