Alien: Romulus Will Haunt Your Dreams

INTRODUCTION

The story behind Alien: Romulus began with a forgotten moment from the classic Aliens (1986), a scene that was later added back in the Special Edition.

In that scene, we see children running through the eerie halls of a colony world, still far from being fully developed. Director Fede Álvarez was hooked by that brief glimpse, and it planted a thrilling idea in his mind.

He wondered, “What if those kids grew up in a world always half-finished, always on the edge of disaster?” That idea wouldn’t leave him alone. He knew that if he ever got the chance to direct a movie, he wanted to tell the story of these kids as they faced the terrifying challenges of growing up.

Alien: Romulus is a spine-chilling new entry in the legendary Alien series, directed by the master of horror, Fede Álvarez (known for Don’t Breathe and Evil Dead). Set between the creepy original and the explosive sequel, this sci-fi horror flick brings a fresh, terrifying twist to the alien world we thought we knew.

Álvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues have crafted a nightmare journey that follows a group of young adults, played by a stellar cast including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.

Together, they face their worst fears as they battle an unimaginable terror. For those wondering if Alien: Romulus is a sequel, it isn’t a direct one. Instead, it exists within the broader timeline of the Alien franchise, positioned between the original Alien (1979) and its sequel, Aliens (1986).

Produced by Scott Free Productions and Brandywine Productions, Alien: Romulus is a masterclass in horror and suspense.

With a runtime of over one hour and forty-five minutes, the film is a relentless dive into fear, isolation, and the sheer will to survive. It’s rated R for its intense violence and disturbing scenes, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

Alien: Romulus had its world premiere in Los Angeles on August 12, 2024, and unleashed its terror on the world on August 16, 2024, courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

WHAT IS ALIEN: ROMULUS ABOUT? PLOT/SYNOPSIS

Twenty years after the terror of Alien, a Weyland-Yutani probe uncovers the shattered remains of the USCSS Nostromo. Inside the wreckage, it discovers something horrifying—an organic object containing the deadly Xenomorph. This setup makes Alien: Romulus a standalone entry in the series, although it is strongly connected to the earlier films, especially in its themes and the portrayal of the Xenomorphs.

Rain Carradine, a tough orphan, works at the remote colony Jackson’s Star alongside her adoptive brother Andy, a reprogrammed synthetic human. When her contract is extended by the shady Weyland-Yutani, Rain reluctantly agrees to join her ex-boyfriend Tyler on a dangerous mission.

Their goal was to retrieve cryostasis chambers from a ghostly spacecraft and escape to the distant planet Yvaga. Along for the ride are Tyler’s pregnant sister Kay, their cousin Bjorn, and Bjorn’s girlfriend Navarro.

Andy’s unique ability to hack into computer systems is vital for the mission, though Rain hesitates to send him. But Tyler and Andy convince her to let him help, and the group boards the hauler Corbelan, setting off for the mysterious ship.

The spacecraft they find is a haunted station, split into two sinister sections—Romulus and Remus. As they search for the stasis chambers, disaster strikes. Tyler, Bjorn, and Andy accidentally revive terrifying facehuggers, triggering a station-wide lockdown.

Desperate to escape, Rain installs a chip from a broken android, Rook, into Andy, giving him full access to the station’s systems. But this chip does more than upgrade Andy’s efficiency—it shifts his loyalty from Rain to the sinister Weyland-Yutani.

The group’s nightmare begins as a facehugger attaches itself to Navarro. Rain brings Rook back online, who reveals that the station’s crew was slaughtered by the Xenomorph and its clones.

Tyler tries to save Navarro, but Rook warns that a deadly “seed” might have been implanted. Panic ensues as Bjorn, defying Andy’s orders, flees with Navarro on the Corbelan.

Their hope is shattered when a chestburster violently emerges from Navarro, killing her instantly. The Corbelan crashes into the Romulus hangar, dooming the station to collide with Jackson’s planetary rings in less than an hour.

Kay, unconscious from the crash, awakens to a nightmare. A chestburster has escaped, and the fully-grown Xenomorph is hunting them. Kay’s desperate run ends when she’s cornered by the creature, which lures the others into a deadly trap.

Andy, now cold and calculating, refuses to unlock the doors, leaving Kay to her fate. As they watch helplessly, the Xenomorph drags her away into the darkness.

In a shocking twist, Kay injects herself with a substance extracted from the Xenomorphs, which Rook calls “Prometheus fire.” This fluid, intended to create a “perfect” human, connects the film back to the experiments seen in Prometheus (2012).

This injection is an act of desperation, highlighting the theme of survival at all costs. But the perfection promised by this substance comes at a horrifying cost.

Andy uncovers a sinister secret—scientists had extracted a mysterious fluid from the Xenomorphs, something Rook calls “Prometheus fire,” a substance intended to create a “perfect” human capable of surviving the harshest conditions of space. But this “perfection” comes at a horrifying cost.

In the heart of a derelict space station, a group of young colonizers faces the ultimate terror—a nightmare that will consume them one by one, as they uncover the horrifying truth about what it means to be human.

MY THOUGHTS ON ‘ALIEN: ROMULUS’

Alien: Romulus brings another intense chapter to the famous Alien franchise. The movie offers a story filled with familiar beats, but it also throws in a few surprises that keep you on your toes.

The first act does an amazing job of introducing us to the characters. Within the first few minutes, I found myself connecting with them. So when things started going wrong around the 30-minute mark, I genuinely felt for everyone involved.

For those wondering where Alien: Romulus fits into the timeline, it takes place before Aliens (1986), effectively bridging some of the gap between Alien (1979) and its sequel. This timeline placement enriches the film, making it a vital piece for fans of the series.

You might think a 30-minute introduction is a bit long, but this one is done so well that it doesn’t feel like a drag at all.

The setup is rich with great cinematography, strong acting (even if there are a couple of awkward lines), and surprisingly deep symbolism. The pace is perfect, gradually building up to the chaos that’s about to unfold.

CHARACTER PERFORMANCE

The acting in Alien: Romulus is mostly impressive. The cast does a great job of bringing their characters to life. You get to know and care about these people, which makes their journey all the more gripping. David Jonsson, in particular, stands out.

His performance in the middle of the film is unexpectedly brilliant, and I can’t wait to see more of his work in the future.

However, not everything is perfect. In the third act, one character makes a questionable decision that feels poorly motivated, pulling me out of the movie. This decision unfortunately sets the tone for the rest of the film, which becomes predictable and filled with clichés.

For those curious about the creature at the end of Alien: Romulus, it’s a new hybrid form that combines elements of the classic Xenomorph with new, terrifying features.

This creature raises questions about the evolution of the Xenomorphs and their role in the broader lore, especially considering its connection to the “Prometheus fire.”

VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY

Visually, Alien: Romulus is a treat. The cinematography in the first act is top-notch, setting a dark and eerie mood that fits the Alien universe perfectly.

The sets and creature designs are both terrifying and mesmerizing, capturing the essence of the franchise.

The xenomorphs and facehuggers look as menacing as ever, and the special effects are well-executed. There’s a certain scene near the end involving a new creature that is particularly striking.

This creature, which appears to be a blend of previous Xenomorph designs, raises questions about the Alien lore, especially if you’re curious about how it fits into the timeline of the franchise.

The creature’s design and its origins hint at the ongoing experiments hinted at in previous films, linking back to Prometheus and further expanding the franchise’s mythology.

WRITING STYLE AND STORY

The story in Alien: Romulus follows a typical three-act structure. The first two acts are where the movie shines. The buildup is slow but purposeful, making the moments of horror even more effective. The second act, in particular, is a masterclass in tension.

For about 45 minutes, I was on the edge of my seat, fully immersed in the characters’ struggle to survive.

The writing during this part is tight, and the pacing is excellent. There are even some pleasant thematic surprises hidden within the horror, making this middle section a standout.

However, the third act stumbles. It takes a hard turn into a more typical action-horror film, losing some of the suspense and mystery that made the earlier parts so engaging. The writing becomes a bit lazy, relying on tropes and predictable twists. It feels like the filmmakers ran out of ideas and just threw in a bunch of clichés to get to the finish line.

THEMES

Alien: Romulus explores several themes, with survival and the human condition at its core. The film dives into what it means to be human, especially in the face of overwhelming fear. The characters’ struggles are not just physical but deeply emotional, as they wrestle with their inner demons while fighting for their lives.

Another significant theme is the concept of “perfection,” especially in the context of the mysterious substance known as “Prometheus fire.” This theme resonates through the film, raising ethical questions about the lengths to which humans will go in their quest for survival. The film hints at the dangers of tampering with nature, especially when it comes to genetic manipulation and the pursuit of an idealized human form.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

CONCLUSION

Alien: Romulus is a mixed bag. The first two acts are excellent, filled with tension, horror, and some fantastic character moments. But the third act lets the film down, as it shifts into a more predictable and less engaging finale. Despite its flaws, Alien: Romulus is still worth watching, especially for fans of the Alien franchise. Just be prepared for a conclusion that doesn’t quite live up to the potential of the opening.

As we look to the future of the Alien franchise, many might ask, “Will there be a sequel to Alien: Romulus?” While there’s no official word yet, the film’s ending certainly leaves the door open for more stories to be told in this universe. And with the introduction of the “Prometheus fire,” there’s plenty of room for exploration.

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