The Wasteland Reviewer

Alien: Romulus (2024) Written Review

Are we ready for yet another film in the Alien franchise? The first two films of the franchise are all-time classics with Ridley Scott and James Cameron offering something fully unique in each film. The third and fourth outings had talented and auteur directors whose films turned out to be some of their worst work (for a variety of reasons). The creative choices in both also upset quite a few fans of the franchise as well. There was a fun diversion with AVP before Ridley Scott took this world back with some ambitious entries like Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. But now Fede Alvarez, a talented filmmaker who did some impressive work with his Evil Dead remake, takes the reins with a new film set in between the two classics of the franchise. 

Does the story Alvarez has to tell bring some life into this decades old franchise? There are some big picture elements that pull all the franchise films together in an impressive fashion. The focus on the Weyland Corporation (“The Company”) and their greed certainly opens the door for some crazy story elements. Alvarez brings in some bold elements from other Alien films that make for some strong connective tissue in holding Romulus together. The AI urge to make humans better, which is a running theme in Scott’s Prometheus and Covenant films, rears its ugly head here too and makes for some impressive nightmarish scenarios on the dual space station of Romulus and Remus. Hordes of xenomorphs and face-huggers create plenty of dangerous and horrifying moments throughout the film, but the big finale act climax delivers something wholly unexpected and delivers some serious nightmare fuel. 

But what about the character level elements to the story? There is a small crew of young folks trying to escape a Weyland outpost and find themselves on this fateful station. The core of the film is the relationship between Cailee Spaeny’s Rain and her synthetic companion Andy (portrayed by David Jonsson). They are there to support each other but when Andy gets a much-needed Weyland upgrade, his whole perspective changes and a new conflict begins between Andy’s connection to Rain and his new mission for The Company. What starts as an escape from a monster infested space station turns into a chess match with The Company’s biggest operative on the ship. There is a fascinating morality game that is going on that is quite compelling. How this antagonistic figure is recreated in the film is going to be a controversial element of the film but at the end of the day, it works well for the film. 

What is one of the most important elements of the best Alien films? The characters and the cast who portray them. Alien and Aliens both boast ensembles full of great characters and casts who bring so much to even the most simply written characters. Alien: Romulus can only boast a few characters that stand out in that way. Spaeny is a talented performer, and she brings some good heart to Rain. Jonsson is the real standout of the film as he brings so many layers and interesting acting choices to Andy. The range he must show is quite impressive too. One returning performer has a significant and mysterious role in the film and despite the suspect circumstances makes for a great addition. Isabela Merced does not have much to her character, but she does at least deliver some good scream queen moments. The rest of the young crew are forgettable and feel more like cannon fodder for all the crazy monster elements. 

Does Alvarez live up to the legacy of the legendary directors who made the early entries of this franchise? Alvarez directs the hell out of this film. His ability to craft tension and suspense is unmatched with great sequences including the face-huggers and the Xenomorphs doing their thing. The director can make the most of some great set pieces and he is always able to find the anchoring and grounding elements to keep the audience on edge. Alvarez also has a great eye for showing Giger’s designs. The gaze of the camera as it captures the sexualized designs that are phallic and vaginal hits hard thanks to the dark and eerie atmosphere that Alvarez can craft. The decision to have practical effects whenever possible paid off tenfold as this is a rich and horrific world brought to life on screen. The CGI is also incredible and hits hard in its limited usage. Alvarez has shown in the past that he can deliver a horrifying cinematic experience, and he brings that energy back to the Alien franchise.

Is Alien: Romulus a new addition that bolsters the legacy of this franchise? Alvarez has proven himself worthy of much praise as he shows that this franchise has plenty of life in it yet. The practical world is quite incredible and shows that this old school style of filmmaking is the right move for classic franchises like Alien. This is the kind of film that leaves a taste for more in your mouth and hopefully this classic franchise is explored even further.