A fresh take on the ’Alien’ franchise: ‘Alien: Romulus’ delivers thrills
Revisiting the terror of space
The Alien franchise has always been a cornerstone of sci-fi horror, with its blend of claustrophobic tension and visceral terror. The latest installment, Alien: Romulus, marks the seventh entry in this storied series. Each new film brings with it the hope of recapturing the shock and awe that the original Alien achieved 45 years ago. While Aliens (1986) managed to evoke enough of that sensation to become a classic, subsequent sequels have struggled to maintain the same level of impact.
The evolution of fear
Starting with Alien: Resurrection, the series began to rely more on nostalgia than genuine dread. The iconic face-huggers and the terrifying adult aliens with their dripping jaws became familiar sights, losing some of their initial nightmare-inducing power. However, Alien: Romulus manages to stand out among the recent sequels, delivering a creepy, nerve-jangling experience that feels like a greatest-hits thrill ride.
Setting the stage
Alien: Romulus is set between the events of Alien and Aliens, allowing it to avoid the convoluted storytelling of prequels. The film takes place on a decommissioned ship reminiscent of the Nostromo, floating aimlessly in space. The protagonist, Rain Carradine (played by Cailee Spaeny), is a mine worker who joins a group of renegades planning to escape the oppressive Jackson Star Mining Colony. Their goal is to reach the abandoned ship, restart it, and embark on a nine-year journey in cryo sleep to freedom.
A retro aesthetic
The ship in Alien: Romulus has a fascinatingly old-fashioned look, with primitive computer graphics and a cooling system of backlit propeller fans. The monsters, too, have a retro feel, with practical effects that evoke a sense of nostalgia. Director Fede Álvarez, known for his work on Don’t Breathe and the Evil Dead remake, stages the alien encounters with a mix of practical and digital effects, creating a visually striking experience.
Familiar yet fresh
Early in the film, the characters explore a flooded passage deck, encountering an army of face-huggers. These creatures, now almost like old friends to fans of the series, still manage to deliver some bony, tentacled imagery. One face-hugger attaches itself to a crew member, leading to a gruesome scene where a writhing fetus with jaws is disgorged.
Echoes of the past
Alien: Romulus includes several nods to the original Alien film, such as a hole burned through layers of the ship and a mangled droid named Rook, played by a digitally reconstituted version of the late Ian Holm. While Holm’s character in Alien was named Ash, Rook serves as a reminder of the franchise’s legacy. The AI recreation of Holm is both impressive and unsettling, hinting at the future possibilities of digital resurrection.
Character dynamics
The characters in Alien: Romulus may not be as memorable as those in the original films, but Cailee Spaeny’s portrayal of Rain stands out. With her clear eyes and serene resolve, she becomes the closest equivalent to the fearless Ripley. Rain’s droid companion, Andy, played by David Jonsson, adds a layer of emotional complexity. When Andy is reprogrammed into a company stooge, his loss is felt more keenly than the deaths of some of the human characters.
Unforgettable sequences
The film features several standout sequences, including a battle in an anti-gravity zone where Rain uses a mega machine gun to decimate an army of aliens. The yellow acid blood hanging in the air creates a striking visual. The final act of Alien: Romulus is designed to leave a lasting impression, with a birth sequence that nods to Prometheus and ties the series together. The lone-woman-vs.-humanoid-alien showdown is tense enough to grab you by the throat.
A thrilling addition
While Alien: Romulus may not reinvent the franchise, it succeeds in delivering a confidently spooky and ingeniously shot piece of entertainment. For fans of the series, it offers a satisfying blend of nostalgia and fresh thrills. If you’re eager to experience the latest chapter in the Alien saga, check out the Alien: Romulus trailer for a glimpse of the action.
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