Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and Alien: Covenant were commendable efforts to push the franchise in a new direction, distancing it from the less memorable Predator crossovers. Despite their ambition, these prequels were weighed down by complex mythology and philosophical musings, which diluted their effectiveness. In contrast, Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus 2024 movie makes the smart choice to return to the franchise’s roots. Set in 2142, between Scott’s timeless 1979 original and James Cameron’s 1986 sequel, the film is filled with callbacks to both classics, at times resembling a respectful homage.
Alvarez’s admiration for those earlier films is clear throughout Alien: Romulus 2024 movie. Even though his energetic style aligns more with the high-octane action of Aliens, the film retains a strong connection to the claustrophobic terror of Alien, albeit without the same level of control or depth. While the final act veers into exaggerated horror, the film maintains enough tension and scares to satisfy fans eager for another xenomorph encounter.
The film opens on Jackson’s Star, a dreary colony without daylight, where the Weyland-Yutani Corporation (WY) exploits workers in a harsh mining industry. In Alien: Romulus 2024 movie, unchecked capitalism takes a lethal toll, even without the presence of xenomorphs. Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) is among the oppressed colonists, striving to escape with her synthetic brother, Andy (David Jonsson), after fulfilling her work quota. However, the corporation expands the quotas, forcing her to work several more years before she can leave.
We soon learn that Andy, a discarded synthetic, was saved by Rain’s father and reprogrammed with one directive: to protect Rain. Both her parents succumbed to lung disease from the mines, a fate common among the colonists, leaving many young people like Rain orphaned.
This bleak setting paves the way for Alvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues to unleash alien chaos on a younger cast than usual for the franchise. Rain’s companions include Tyler (Archie Renaux), her ex-boyfriend; his pregnant sister Kay (Isabela Merced); Bjorn (Spike Fearn), who harbors resentment towards Andy; and Navarro (Aileen Wu), a skilled techie. While these characters are not deeply developed, their roles serve the story’s primary function—survival against the odds.
When the group discovers a decommissioned WY ship nearby, supposedly capable of taking them to safety, they persuade Rain to join their escape plan. Andy’s access to corporate security codes makes him essential to the mission.
The group’s escape from Jackson’s Star raises some questions about the ease of their departure, but Alien: Romulus 2024 movie’s visceral sound design effectively distracts from these plot holes. The industrial clanks, turbulence, and rocky landings immerse the audience in the film’s tension-filled atmosphere.
Upon arriving at their destination, they find not a ship but a sprawling space station named Renaissance, with twin modules called Romulus and Remus. The station is on a collision course with the planet’s ring system, adding urgency as the group races against time to avoid disaster. However, their mission is soon disrupted by the awakening of parasitic facehuggers, igniting the familiar horror of who will be the next victim.
Alvarez masterfully ramps up the tension in Alien: Romulus 2024 movie, keeping viewers on edge with suspenseful cinematography by Galo Olivares and a haunting score by Benjamin Wallfisch, echoing the iconic music from the first two films. The film’s survivalist narrative, led by Rain as a stand-in for Ripley, draws viewers into a relentless battle for survival.
Alien: Romulus 2024 movie introduces some fresh elements, such as a slower, more graphic chest-bursting scene and new ways for the human characters to evade detection. Additionally, the reintroduction of Ian Holm’s character, Rook, through AI-generated facial rendering and voice, adds a layer of complexity and nostalgia, although it may divide audiences due to the ethical implications of AI-generated replicas.
Alvarez’s penchant for third-act shocks, evident in his previous works like Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe, is on full display in Alien: Romulus 2024 movie. The film’s climax, involving a new hybrid species, pushes the boundaries of the franchise’s established lore, though some may find it a step too far. Despite this, the film remains a thrilling entry in the series, delivering the kind of scares that have made the xenomorphs iconic.
One of the key strengths of Alien: Romulus 2024 movie is Alvarez’s commitment to practical effects, harkening back to the methods used in the original 1979 film. Production designer Naaman Marshall’s work on the massive sets, combined with the use of full-scale animatronics and puppetry for the xenomorphs, enhances the film’s tangible, immersive quality.
In the end, Alien: Romulus 2024 movie succeeds in recapturing the franchise’s core elements, blending practical effects with modern enhancements to create a chilling, fast-paced horror experience. Despite some excesses and debatable choices, the film reminds us why the xenomorphs remain some of the most terrifying creatures in cinematic history.
