The latest installment in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez, has garnered significant attention and praise for reviving the series with a blend of horror and sci-fi that harks back to the original films.
Critics have noted that Alien: Romulus successfully returns to the franchise’s roots, delivering the kind of suspense and terror that made the original Alien films iconic. The film is described as a “chilling rollercoaster ride” that pays homage to the earlier movies while adding new, visceral thrills. The use of practical effects, especially in depicting the xenomorphs, has been particularly praised for creating a tactile, old-school terror that contrasts with modern CGI-heavy approaches (Columns) (The Movie Blog).
*Set between the events of Alien and Aliens, Alien: Romulus brings us back to the familiar, terrifying universe where a greedy corporation’s obsession with studying Xenomorphs inevitably leads to disaster. This time, a group of thieves aiming to steal valuable equipment from a space station find themselves up against not just one, but a swarm of the deadly aliens, all equipped with their signature acid blood.
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The storyline may sound familiar, and that’s because Romulus borrows heavily from its predecessors. The film feels like a patchwork quilt of Alien franchise elements: a character reminiscent of the original crew, the gritty industrial aesthetic of the third film’s mining planet, the space marines’ arsenal from the second movie, and even some creature designs from the fourth. Director Fede Álvarez treads a fine line between paying homage and outright lifting from the classics, which might leave some fans feeling a sense of déjà vu.
At the heart of Romulus is Rain (played by Cailee Spaeny), who toils on a sunless mining planet with only a damaged synthetic named Andy (David Jonsson) for company. Rain’s dreams of escaping to a better life are dashed when the company she works for arbitrarily changes the rules, keeping her trapped. Desperate, she joins a group of renegades in a daring plan to hijack a corporate space station and steal the cryopods needed to reach her desired destination. But the space station, divided into Romulus and Remus, harbors a deadly secret—one that involves those infamous Xenomorphs.
Álvarez brings a flair for visual storytelling to the film, especially in the outer space scenes. Unlike the sparse emptiness of the original Alien, Romulus presents a more cluttered, ominous view of space, with a derelict station orbiting a scarred planet surrounded by deadly ice rings. The tension is palpable, thanks to Álvarez’s skillful use of light, shadow, and movement, keeping the audience on edge. There’s a scare late in the movie that’s sure to provoke shrieks and nervous laughter, a testament to Álvarez’s ability to balance the film’s goofy self-referential moments with genuine horror.
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David Jonsson’s portrayal of Andy is a highlight, as he transitions from a broken, glitchy companion to a more menacing figure after a mid-film upgrade. This transformation underscores the film’s critique of corporate greed, especially when Andy’s primary directive to protect Rain is overwritten by a command to serve the company’s interests. It’s a chilling reminder that in the Alien universe, individuals are expendable in the face of profit.
However, Romulus crosses into ethically murky territory with the digital resurrection of Ian Holm to reprise his role as a synthetic. Holm, who passed away in 2020, appears as a key character guiding Andy’s transformation. While some may view this as a respectful homage, others might find it unsettling, questioning the implications of using a deceased actor’s likeness for corporate gain. In the end, it serves as a stark reminder of the film’s overarching message: in this universe, what’s best for the corporation always comes first.
Quotes
Cailee Spaeny, who plays the protagonist Rain, has been lauded for her performance, with comparisons drawn to Sigourney Weaver’s iconic role as Ripley. Critics have noted that she brings depth and intensity to the role, making her a compelling new hero in the franchise (TheWrap) (The Movie Blog).
Overall, Alien: Romulus is seen as a refreshing and thrilling addition to the Alien saga, appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences (TheWrap).
Key Points:
i. Alien: Romulus revisits familiar themes from previous Alien films, focusing on a greedy corporation’s obsession with studying deadly aliens, resulting in a band of thieves facing horrific consequences.
ii. film borrows elements from earlier Alien movies, blending characters, visuals, and plot points, which toes the line between homage and repetition.
iii. Despite its reliance on franchise nostalgia, the film offers tense and visually stunning scenes, particularly in its depiction of space and the use of light and shadows.
iv. A standout performance by David Jonsson as the damaged synthetic Andy adds emotional depth, highlighting the film’s central theme of corporate exploitation.
v. The ethical implications of digitally resurrecting the late Ian Holm to reprise his role as a synthetic are unsettling, raising questions about the boundaries of using deceased actors in modern filmmaking.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
