A Review of 'Alien: Romulus 2024'

Alien: Romulus (2024) takes the legacy of the Alien franchise into a new era, offering a dark, thrilling ride while respecting the terrifying essence of its predecessors. For fans of the series, Romulus is an exciting return to the core elements of space horror, but it also adds a fresh spin that makes it accessible to newcomers. In this review, we’ll dive into what makes Alien: Romulus both a nostalgic homage and a refreshing evolution of the franchise.

Setting the Scene: Back to Basics with a New Twist

The Alien franchise is legendary for its claustrophobic settings, enigmatic xenomorphs, and the sense of dread it masterfully cultivates. Romulus doesn’t stray from this formula but sharpens it with modern cinematography and effects, giving us a visually stunning yet terrifying experience. Directed by Fede Álvarez, known for Don’t Breathe and Evil Dead, the movie taps into the visceral, primal fears that made the original 1979 Alien such a groundbreaking film.

Set in the distant future, Romulus follows a crew of space colonists who stumble upon an unknown planet during what they thought would be a routine mission. This planet, of course, harbors a dark secret—an ancient ecosystem that has been ravaged by the xenomorph species. Unlike the high-tech setups of previous Alien movies, Romulus grounds its narrative in a more primitive, almost survivalist setting. There’s no Ripley in a mech suit here—just humans battling for survival with limited resources and a relentless enemy.

The Characters: Gritty, Flawed, and Human

One of the standout features of Romulus is its characters. The original Alien succeeded largely due to its portrayal of regular people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, and Álvarez keeps this tradition alive. The crew is diverse, relatable, and wonderfully flawed—each character carrying their own emotional baggage. Instead of heroic space marines or cold, calculated scientists, we get a ragtag group of colonists who are more concerned about getting paid than saving the galaxy. This gives the film an almost working-class feel, grounding the horror in real, human stakes.

Lead actress Cailee Spaeny delivers an exceptional performance as the no-nonsense engineer, Emma. She’s the beating heart of the film, drawing inevitable comparisons to Sigourney Weaver’s iconic Ellen Ripley. However, Emma isn’t just a Ripley clone—she’s more vulnerable, more conflicted, and her journey feels unique. Spaeny skillfully navigates a range of emotions, from fear to rage, ultimately becoming the kind of unlikely hero, we root for despite her flaws. Other cast members, such as Isabela Merced and Archie Renaux, add depth to the ensemble, with each character having moments of true significance.

Interestingly, Romulus also explores the mental toll that space travel and isolation have on the human psyche. The characters are haunted not just by the xenomorphs, but by the solitude and harshness of space itself. This introspective angle adds an extra layer of tension to the film, making the horror feel more intimate and psychological.

The Xenomorphs: A New Evolution

Ah, the xenomorphs—the iconic alien species that has haunted our dreams since the franchise began. In Romulus, they are as terrifying as ever, but Álvarez adds new wrinkles to their mythology. These aren’t just the creatures we know and fear; they’ve evolved. The movie introduces new xenomorph variants, each more disturbing than the last. Without diving into spoiler territory, let’s just say that if you thought the chest-burster was horrifying, Romulus ups the ante in truly unsettling ways.

What Romulus does best, however, is not rely solely on CGI to make the xenomorphs scary. The practical effects and creature designs are top-notch, and there’s a real sense of physicality to the monsters. You can feel their presence, and when they strike, it’s fast, brutal, and bloody. Álvarez makes excellent use of shadow and light, often showing just a glimpse of the alien before unleashing full-on carnage, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

One of the best sequences in the film involves a tense, slow-burn scene where the crew realizes that they aren’t alone. The suspense is drawn out, with long silences and subtle background noises hinting at the xenomorphs lurking just out of sight. It’s a masterclass in tension, reminiscent of the slow dread from Ridley Scott’s original Alien. By the time the creatures reveal themselves, the tension has reached unbearable levels, making the payoff even more terrifying.

Themes: Isolation, Survival, and the Cost of Exploration

At its core, Alien: Romulus deals with themes of survival and isolation. The film places its characters in a world where their survival depends on their ingenuity and willingness to confront their deepest fears. Space is vast and unforgiving, and the film effectively communicates this sense of cosmic dread. You’re reminded that in space, no one can hear you scream—one of the franchise’s most iconic taglines.

But beyond the survival horror, Romulus also raises questions about the cost of exploration. The colonists come to this unknown planet with the hope of discovery and profit, but instead, they awaken something far more dangerous. There’s a moral undercurrent to the story, exploring humanity’s tendency to overreach and the disastrous consequences that follow. This gives Romulus a timely relevance, as it echoes contemporary debates about technology, exploration, and the environment.

The film also digs into human hubris—how we assume we can conquer any terrain, any species, without fully understanding the consequences. The colonists are initially dismissive of the signs that something is wrong on the planet, and it’s their ignorance and arrogance that ultimately sets the horror in motion. This adds a layer of tragedy to the narrative, making the characters’ fates feel inevitable yet still heartbreaking.

Visual and Sound Design: Immersive and Atmospheric

Visually, Alien: Romulus is a feast for the eyes. The desolate landscapes of the alien planet are beautifully rendered, creating an atmosphere that feels both alien and hostile. Álvarez uses a muted color palette, mostly grays and blues, to evoke a sense of coldness and desolation. The planet feels like a character in itself—dangerous, uninviting, and completely indifferent to the humans trying to survive on it.

The ship interiors and other sets have a retro-futuristic aesthetic, paying homage to the original Alien while updating it for modern audiences. The use of practical effects where possible grounds the film in reality, and even when CGI is employed, it feels seamless and integrated into the world.

The sound design is another high point, playing a crucial role in building tension. The xenomorphs’ screeches, the creaking of the ship, and the eerie silence of space all contribute to a deeply immersive experience. Composer Roque Baños delivers a chilling score, blending orchestral pieces with electronic soundscapes that ratchet up the tension. The music swells at the right moments, but it’s often the quieter scenes where the sound design shines, allowing you to hear every drip, every whisper of wind, and every ominous footstep approaching.

What Works: Returning to the Franchise’s Roots

What truly sets Romulus apart from some of the more recent entries in the Alien series is its commitment to returning to the franchise’s roots. While Prometheus and Alien: Covenant expanded the mythology of the xenomorphs and their creators, Romulus simplifies the narrative, focusing on a smaller-scale story of survival. This back-to-basics approach is a breath of fresh air for fans who may have felt alienated by the more cerebral direction of the recent films.

At the same time, Romulus isn’t just a retread of old ground. It introduces new ideas, new creatures, and new horrors, all while staying true to the core DNA of the franchise. The blend of old and newly creates a film that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking, satisfying long-time fans while opening the door for a new generation to experience the terror of the xenomorphs.

What Could Be Improved: Pacing and Character Development

If there’s one critique to be made, it’s that the pacing can sometimes feel uneven. The first half of the film takes its time building tension, which is effective for creating atmosphere, but some viewers may find the slow burn a little too drawn out. Once the action kicks in, however, it doesn’t let up, leading to a relentless second half that more than makes up for the slower start.

Another minor issue is that not all the characters get the development they deserve. While Spaeny’s Emma is fully fleshed out, some of the supporting cast feels underutilized. There are moments where you wish the film would dive deeper into the backstories of these characters, especially as their fates become intertwined with the xenomorphs.

Final Thoughts: A Triumphant Return to Horror

Alien: Romulus is a triumphant return to form for the Alien franchise, blending the classic elements of space horror with modern storytelling and visual effects. Fede Álvarez delivers a film that is both terrifying and thought-provoking, reminding us why we fell in love with the xenomorphs in the first place. With its strong performances, particularly from Cailee Spaeny, and its masterful use of suspense, Romulus is sure to satisfy both die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Alien franchise or a newcomer looking for a thrill, Romulus is a film that will have you on

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