The Alien franchise put its stamp on the science-fiction horror genre with its first entry, Alien, back in 1979. Director Ridley Scott introduced audiences to a frightening creature called the Xenomorph, but the real terror was being out in space as the movie’s tagline indicated “No one can hear you scream.” After the slow-paced but suspenseful Alien came James Cameron‘s high-octane, action-packed Aliens that showed off the potential of this franchise. The series continued with Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection — which aren’t as universally praised as the first two, but both add their own value to the franchise — and the subsequent Alien vs. Predator films which generally aren’t considered canon to the universe.
Scott returned with a bold new prequel, Prometheus, that dared to answer the Xenomorph’s origins — though no one had asked for it. The film was praised for its fresh take on the franchise along with the philosophical themes discussed. But its sequel, Alien: Covenant, left audiences divided once again. Similar to how Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was handled under the new Disney banner, Alien: Romulus honors the legacy of its franchise while offering something new.
‘Alien: Romulus’ Is a Spine-Chilling Experience from Start to Finish
Almost every horror movie or series relies on sound to induce fear in the viewer. Whether it’s the absence of sound or the abundance of it, the strategic use of this element is key to delivering the thrills an audience member expects from a horror project. Writer-director Fede Álvarez successfully establishes an unsettling environment with the creatively used sound design.
The Xenomorphs have always been horrific creatures, but Álvarez showcases how terrifying the face-huggers can be with close-up shots of these aliens trying to latch themselves onto the protagonists. It’s perfect that this film is set between Aliens and Aliens as it’s an ideal blend of the two in terms of suspense and action. Alien: Romulus features interesting stress-inducing scenarios that keep the franchise fresh with new ideas on how humans can defeat Xenomorphs.
Similar to Álvarez’s work on Don’t Breathe, the third act is sure to catch audiences off guard as it features a bold creative decision. It’s admittingly horrifying, but a strange choice nonetheless. To paraphrase Jurassic Park, they were so preoccupied with whether they could pull it off, that they didn’t stop to think if they should. This choice is sure to cause discourse among Alien fans.
The Stunning Visuals and Strong Performances Propel ‘Alien: Romulus’
Alien: Romulus feels timeless with the mix of Galo Olivares‘ cinematography, Legacy Effects’ Xenomorph animatronics, Benjamin Wallfisch‘s score, and the set design for the Romulus station. Alien: Romulus has a strong chance to land many Oscar nominations, but it will be in fierce competition with other science-fiction projects like Dune: Part Two and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Cailee Spaeny has been making a name for herself with lead roles in Priscilla and Civil War. That momentum is not slowing down with her performance in Alien: Romulus. While her character, Rain Carradine, isn’t given the most compelling backstory, Spaeny puts on a display of genuine emotions that’ll have fans rooting for her. The dynamic between her and David Jonsson‘s Andy is touching to witness and Jonsson steals many of the scenes he’s in with almost little effort.
While she’s not given much screen time, Isabela Merced gives a surprisingly amazing example of a scream queen. Following her upcoming roles in The Last of Us Season 2 and James Gunn‘s Superman, another horror project should be no problem for her.
‘Alien: Romulus’ Honors the Entries That Came Before
Although not everyone will feel the latest chapter in the Alien franchise sticks the landing, it can’t be argued that it breathes new life into the franchise. Álvarez’s experience as a horror director is on full display with Alien: Romulus as he brings back the magic of these films while still putting his stamp on it — weaving in several moments that neatly connect to the earlier entries.
It’s worth seeing it on the big screen for the gorgeous cinematography, the heart-pumping sound design, and the chilling instrumental score. Although it doesn’t overdo the gore, some sequences might make audiences queasy. Between this and Noah Hawley‘s upcoming Alien: Earth series, it’s a good time to be an Alien fan. If you’re not already, this is a great jumping-on point for you.
Alien: Romulus arrives in theaters on August 16. Follow the Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.
'Alien: Romulus' Review
'Alien: Romulus' ReviewThe Good
- The striking visuals and fluid animatronics make the film as real as possible.
- A celebration of everything that has come before from the franchise.
- Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced are captivating as standouts.
- Sound design will send shivers down your spine.
The Bad
- The third act will be incredibly divisive and might take time to warm up to.
