Alien: Romulus – A new chapter in terror
Fede Álvarez has crafted a spine-chilling addition to the Alien franchise with “Alien: Romulus,” delivering one of the most shocking endings of the year. The film introduces a terrifying new creature, aptly named “The Offspring”, which has left audiences both horrified and fascinated.
A new life form emerges
Early in the film, we learn that Kay (played by Isabela Merced) is pregnant. As the Xenomorphs wreak havoc on the space station, Kay is captured and cocooned by one of the aliens. Her friends, Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and Andy (David Jonsson), manage to rescue her. In a desperate bid to survive, Kay injects herself with Weyland-Yutani’s “Compound Z-01”, a substance derived from Xenomorph matter, intended to enhance human capabilities. However, when Rain places Kay in a cryo-chamber, things take a horrifying turn. Kay gives birth to a grotesque hybrid creature, a human-Xenomorph mix that rapidly evolves.
Crafting the creature
Visual effects supervisor Daniel Macarin and animation supervisor Ludovic Chailloleau faced the daunting task of bringing The Offspring to life. Álvarez’s preference for practical effects over CGI meant that the creature had to be both realistic and terrifying. The role of The Offspring was played by Robert Bobroczkyi, a Romanian basketball player standing at an impressive 7 feet 7 inches.
“The first time we saw the plates with Robert in costume, it was terrifying,” Macarin recalls. “The creature design team did an amazing job, and we knew our enhancements would only add to the horror.”
The birth scene
The birth of The Offspring was achieved using practical effects. “They designed and dressed the baby, but it didn’t move,” Macarin explains. Álvarez wanted the audience to understand that despite the gruesome birth, the baby was alive. Macarin’s challenge was to find the right facial expression for the baby Offspring. It had to be unsettling without evoking too much empathy.
As the baby grows and crawls towards Kay and Andy, Macarin added details like extra blood and subtle movements to enhance the horror. The creature’s tail also underwent numerous iterations to ensure it didn’t look too animalistic or evoke the wrong emotions.
A homage to the ’80s
Chailloleau emphasized that the design and motion of The Offspring were inspired by the original Alien films. “We wanted everything to fit the style of the ’80s, even the practical effects,” he says. “The tail, for instance, had to be menacing but not the focus of the shot.”
Drawing inspiration from Ridley Scott’s “Alien” and James Cameron’s “Aliens”, the team ensured that The Offspring’s movements were both unique and terrifying. “We didn’t want the audience to giggle or find it funny,” Macarin notes. ”We had to keep them in the moment.”
The mini-mouth dilemma
The Offspring’s mini-mouth, a nod to the iconic Xenomorph feature, also went through several design phases. It needed to be softer yet dangerous, reflecting the creature’s juvenile state. In a pivotal scene, The Offspring moves towards its mother, Kay, appearing to seek nourishment. Chailloleau had to ensure the mouth’s movement was connected to the creature, maintaining the balance between danger and dependency.
Challenges in space
As the action shifts to space, new challenges arose. Bobroczkyi’s physical limitations meant that some scenes required digital enhancements. “When they needed him to hang from the ceiling or drop down, it wasn’t safe for the actor,” Macarin explains. “We had to build fresh performances, drawing from earlier shots.”
A larger universe
The Offspring’s resemblance to the Engineers from “Prometheus” has sparked curiosity among fans. Macarin confirms that this was intentional. “We wanted to hint at a larger story, adding mystery and connecting to the broader Alien universe,” he says.
“Alien: Romulus” is a masterclass in blending practical effects with digital enhancements, creating a creature that is both terrifying and intriguing. Álvarez’s dedication to the franchise’s legacy, combined with innovative creature design, ensures that The Offspring will haunt audiences long after the credits roll.
For those eager to dive deeper into the world of “Alien: Romulus,” check out the trailer and explore the film’s intricate details.