The one line that everyone repeats when they talk about an Alien movie is that “In space, no one can hear you scream”. Well, Fede Alvarez has changed that and while those in space might not hear you scream, those in the seats next to you will. Alien: Romulus is a chilling, claustrophobic, and intense journey back into the world of Alien! With plenty of nods to the movies that have come out before, Alvarez makes sure to not only honor those movies but to add a little of his touch to this film.
The gist of the story is that Cailee Spaeny’s character, Rain, is trying to get off her mining planet with her android “brother” Andy, played incredibly by David Jonsson. Finding out that more time has been placed on her work sentence she decides to go along with a plan by her ex-boyfriend, Tyler, played by Archie Renaux. The big plan is to steal cryonic stasis chambers to sleep in on their way to the planet Yvaga. Once they reach the ship they realize that it’s a research space station. Tyler takes Andy along with him due to Andy can communicate with the station’s computer. Once they are inside they realize that things are not as they should be and terror is afoot.
If there is one thing that you should know about Fede Alvarez is that he is good at building tension in his movies. Some moments just have you holding your breath or clenching your hands on the armrests of the chairs in the theater. This tension that is built is what makes this movie such a claustrophobic adventure. Even though there is a lot of room in space, the movie takes place inside the research outpost which in itself is a confined area. While walking down the corridors you see the vastness of space in the windows but also see the cluttered hallways that have been left behind by the massacred crew.
What Alvarez has done with Alien: Romulus is give the audience that is new to the series a way into the saga. If you are unfamiliar with the series all that you need to know is explained during certain moments of the movie. Alvarez is a fan like us and you can see that in the way he not only honors the films but the video games too. Yes, some moments feel like you are playing Aliens: Isolation and that is a cool thing. Alien: Romulus is a scary-ass thrill ride that will grab you by the collar in the final minutes and make you cheer for Rain and Andy! Yes, things get weird in the third act but it also brings about a weird connection to what came before it. In space, no one can hear you scream, but Fede Alvarez is making sure you scream, jump, and cover your face while you watch Alien: Romulus!
Final Thoughts: Alien: Romulus is a fantastic entry into the Aliens’ world. If you are new to this franchise you don’t need to see the others to understand what is going on. If you are a fan of the Aliens’ movies then you are going to enjoy the way it honors the other movies. While there may be some disagreement with the use of CGI and the third act, Aliens: Romulus does give you a thrill ride that you might not be ready for. Once it gets going it does not stop to give you time to breathe.
Kid-Friendly: In regards to kids seeing this there is a great theme about family and what makes a family. The relationship between Rain and Andy is heartwarming and great to see. This is an Alien movie so there are a lot of jumpscare moments that might scare the younger kids.
Violence: Fede Alvarez is known to amp things up a notch and he does that with some of the kills in this movie. The treatment of androids by some of the crew is pretty awful.
A truly terrifying cinematic experience from producer Ridley Scott and director/writer Fede Alvarez, 20th Century Studios’ “Alien: Romulus” opens in theaters nationwide August 16, 2024. The sci-fi/horror-thriller takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.