Alien: Romulus marks a triumphant return to the classic alien franchise’s horror roots. While it treads familiar ground within the established Alien mythology, the film effectively leverages the series’ core elements to deliver a tense and atmospheric experience unlike anything we’ve seen in decades.
Set between the original Alien and Aliens, Romulus introduces a new cast of characters facing a classic Alien predicament: a derelict spaceship, a deadly alien creature, and a race against time.
Director Fede Alvarez demonstrates a keen understanding and love of the franchise’s aesthetic, crafting a visually striking and often claustrophobic environment.
The film’s production design is particularly impressive, evoking the grimy, industrial feel of the original complete with gritty and grainy CRT screens. This is complemented perfectly with an eerie sound design of a rattling spaceship.
The narrative, while predictable in its broad strokes, benefits from well-developed characters and strong performances from an excellent cast. The ensemble effectively conveys the mounting terror and desperation as the alien threat intensifies.
The Xenomorph itself remains a formidable antagonist, its design and behavior true to the iconic creature with some fantastic edge-of-your-seat standoffs.
While Romulus offers a satisfyingly nostalgic experience for longtime fans, it ultimately lacks the groundbreaking innovation of its predecessors. The film’s adherence to the established formula, while reassuring, prevents it from reaching new heights.
There is an excellent twist in the final act that could easily lead to a sequel that could break the long running series into a new direction that we’d be keen to explore. Nevertheless, Alien: Romulus is a gripping, hair raising and entertaining addition to the franchise.
For those seeking a return to the dark, suspenseful world of the Alien: Romulus is a must-see.
– The Plus Ones Team
