As an obsessed super-fan of the Alien franchise, Fear Planet has been eagerly anticipating the release of “Alien: Romulus” since its announcement. Directed by Fede Alvarez, known for his work on “Evil Dead” (2013) and “Don’t Breathe,” this latest installment promised a return to the franchise’s roots. After watching the film, I can confidently say that Alvarez has delivered a thrilling and tension-filled experience that honors the legacy of Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic while carving out its own identity.
Back to Basics: Plot and Setting
“Alien: Romulus” strips away the complex mythology that has accumulated over decades of sequels and prequels, opting instead for a straightforward premise that echoes the simplicity of the original film. The story follows a small crew of five individuals and a synthetic android as they board a derelict space station, only to find themselves in a desperate fight for survival against the iconic xenomorphs.
The film’s setting, divided between the twin space stations Romulus and Remus, immediately establishes a sense of claustrophobia and isolation that has been a hallmark of the best entries in the series. Naaman Marshall’s production design deserves special praise for creating a lived-in, believable environment that feels like a natural extension of the grimy, industrial aesthetic established in the 1979 original. The attention to detail in the set design adds layers of authenticity to the world, making the horrors that unfold within it all the more visceral.
A New Crew to Root For
At the heart of any great Alien film are characters we can invest in, and “Romulus” doesn’t disappoint in this regard. The ensemble cast brings depth and humanity to their roles, with standout performances from Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine and David Jonsson as Andy, the synthetic android.
Spaeny’s portrayal of Rain is particularly noteworthy. She brings a raw vulnerability to the role that evolves into steely determination as the situation deteriorates. While comparisons to Sigourney Weaver’s iconic Ellen Ripley are inevitable, Spaeny manages to make Rain a distinct and compelling protagonist in her own right. Her journey from an orphaned miner seeking escape to a survivor fighting against impossible odds forms the emotional core of the film.
David Jonsson’s performance as Andy is nothing short of extraordinary. Jonsson strikes a perfect balance between the android’s artificial nature and his more human-like qualities, creating a character that is both familiar and unsettling. The complexity he brings to Andy adds layers of intrigue to the plot, keeping the audience guessing about his true motivations until the very end.
The supporting cast, including Archie Renaux as Tyler, Isabela Merced as Kay, Spike Fearn as Bjorn, and Aileen Wu as Navarro, all deliver solid performances that help flesh out the group dynamics. Each character feels distinct and brings their own motivations and fears to the table, making their inevitable encounters with the aliens all the more impactful.
Tension, Terror, and Spectacle
Alvarez proves himself a master of suspense and horror with “Alien: Romulus.” The film expertly builds tension through a combination of atmospheric dread and sudden bursts of intense action. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the fear to simmer before erupting into heart-pounding sequences that had me on the edge of my seat.
Several set pieces stand out as particularly memorable. A frantic hallway run with an army of facehuggers in pursuit is a highlight, showcasing both the terror of the aliens and the desperation of our protagonists. An elevator sequence that is stunningly well-crafted ratchets up the tension to almost unbearable levels. These moments benefit greatly from Jake Roberts’ sharp editing and Galo Olivares’ moody cinematography, which work in tandem to create a sweaty, dark, and foreboding visual palette that perfectly captures the essence of the franchise.
The aliens themselves are a triumph of practical effects and CGI integration. The xenomorphs move with a fluid, predatory grace that makes them truly terrifying. The sound design deserves special mention, with every hiss, screech, and skittering claw adding to the overwhelming sense of dread.
Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future
One of the challenges faced by any new entry in a beloved franchise is striking the right balance between nostalgia and innovation. “Alien: Romulus” mostly succeeds in this regard, though it occasionally stumbles into the trap of overreliance on callbacks and fan service.
While many of the references to previous films are subtle and effective, there are moments where the nods to the franchise’s history feel a bit heavy-handed. A particular CGI element connected to the first film stands out as looking out of place and poorly executed, breaking the immersion that the film works so hard to establish.
Despite these minor missteps, Alvarez manages to capture the essence of what made the original “Alien” so effective – the idea of a “haunted house movie in space.” By focusing on the primal fear of being hunted in an isolated environment, “Romulus” taps into the same vein of horror that has kept audiences coming back to the franchise for over four decades.
The Final Act: Divisive but Bold
Without delving into spoiler territory, it’s worth noting that the film’s final act takes some surprising turns. The “bonkers final scenes” and a “crazy twist” are likely to be the most divisive elements of the movie among fans. These moments lean heavily into the body horror aspects of the franchise, pushing the boundaries of what we’ve seen before in an Alien film.
While some viewers may find these developments jarring or even off-putting, I found them to be a bold and fitting conclusion to the story. The twist, in particular, ties into larger themes of humanity versus artificial intelligence that have been present throughout the series. It also sets up intriguing possibilities for future installments, should the studio choose to continue in this direction.
The ending reinforces the film’s central themes, particularly the struggle between maintaining one’s humanity in the face of heartless prime directives. Rain’s character arc comes to a satisfying conclusion as she grapples with the true nature of her mission and the choices she must make to survive.
A New Chapter in the Alien Saga
“Alien: Romulus” succeeds in breathing new life into a franchise that has seen its share of ups and downs. By returning to the core elements that made the original film a classic – isolation, tension, and the primal fear of the unknown – Alvarez has crafted a worthy addition to the Alien canon.
The film’s strengths lie in its atmospheric setting, strong performances (particularly from Spaeny and Jonsson), and expertly crafted sequences of suspense and terror. While it occasionally leans too heavily on nostalgia and stumbles with some of its CGI elements, these issues are minor in the grand scheme of the movie’s accomplishments.
For longtime fans of the franchise, “Romulus” offers a satisfying blend of familiar elements and fresh perspectives. Newcomers to the series will find a taut, self-contained thriller that requires no prior knowledge to enjoy. The film’s ability to appeal to both audiences is a testament to Alvarez’s skill as a director and his understanding of what makes the Alien franchise endure.
As the credits rolled, I found myself excited about the future possibilities for the series. “Alien: Romulus” proves that there’s still plenty of life left in this universe, as long as filmmakers approach it with the right balance of respect for the past and vision for the future.
To wrap it up, “Alien: Romulus” is a thrilling return to form for the franchise. It captures the claustrophobic terror of the original while adding its own unique twists to the formula. Despite some minor flaws, it stands as one of the strongest entries in the series in recent memory. For fans who have been waiting for an Alien film that recaptures the magic of the early installments, “Romulus” delivers in spades. It’s a must-see for horror and sci-fi enthusiasts, and a promising new chapter in the ever-evolving Alien saga.
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