Alien: Romulus pays perfect homage to the original Alien films, bringing back practical effects and terrifying, suspenseful moments.
Alien: Romulus brilliantly captures the feel of the original Alien films. This movie almost feels like a long lost relic on the 1980s, in the best way possible. It heavily focuses on practical effects that work so well, the CGI is almost too noticable. With incredible sound design, suspenseful and intense moments, and a completely bonkers third act, Alien: Romulus is a must see.
Going back to its routes, this film follows a group of young space colinizers who discover an abandoned space station. Desperate to leave their old lives behind, they search for cyro chambers that can take them to another planet. What they don’t expect is to come face to face with some terrifying residents that have been waiting for someone to board the station.
Alien: Romulus starts off slow with a first act that heavily focuses on allowing the audience to get to know the characters and their relationships with one another. This character building is important, but it will have many viewers waiting for the action to start. However, once it does, the audience is sure to be on the edge of their seats as they wait with baited breath to discover the outcome of these young teens.
Thanks to the sound design and visuals, there is a lot of suspense and tension build-up throughout the film. Seeing a horde of facehuggers skitter around a space station is far more terrifying than ever expected. At the same time, the Xenomorphs lurking in the shadows, carefully plotting their attacks, just adds to the scare factor.
While every actor involved has their time to shine, and are great in their roles, it is Cailee Spaeny (who plays Rain Carradine) and David Jonsson (who plays Andy) that steal the show. Spaeny perfectly embodies a Ellen Ripley-esque character (a character made iconic by the extremely talented Sigourney Weaver). She is a complete badass and is easy for viewers to root for.
Her relationship with Andy is touching and relatable. He is a synthetic who struggles at times due to his malfunctions. Their journey throughout the film (we cannot get into details due to spoilers) is the heart and soul of it. It is not only special, but memorable.
The practical effects help to make Alien: Romulus feel like the Alien films of old, but they work so well that they take away from some of the CGI when it is used. There are some things that just do not look good, however the story is so captivating, and the suspense so intense, that it is easy enough to look past.
When it comes to the third act, Alien: Romulus shoots for the moon. It goes absolutely crazy and there are things that will haunt viewers’ dreams for months to come. This is where the film will be devisive. Some will love it, some will hate it – either way, it is sure to evoke strong reactions.
Do not miss the movie everyone will be talking about when Alien: Romulus comes to theaters on August 16th.
NEXT: Tales of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Review
About Alien: Romulus
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.
The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Priscilla”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu. Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.
“Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott (“Napoleon”), who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” Michael Pruss (“Boston Strangler”), and Walter Hill (“Alien”), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (“Charlie’s Angels”), Brent O’Connor (“Bullet Train”), and Tom Moran (“Unstoppable”) serving as executive producers.
Alien: Romulus comes to theaters on August 16th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.