I’ve been waiting a long time for a new Alien movie to come along and knock the wind out of me. The last truly great film in the franchise, in my opinion, was James Cameron’s Aliens.
Everything after that has been a mixed bag of bad movies and mediocre attempts to recapture the magic. But with Alien: Romulus, director Fede Alvarez has delivered a true horror sci-fi film that brings back the intensity and fear that made the original films legendary.
Alien: Romulus delivers an awesome and intense movie-going experience. I know the reviews have been mixed, but I absolutely loved the movie! The intensity of the story was strong and Alvarez knows how to play with that tension, building it up to the point where you’re on the edge of your seat.
One of the standout aspects of the film is the story and script. I felt like it was strong, cohesive, and exactly what an Alien movie should be. The narrative doesn’t just rely on the terror of the Xenomorphs; it also takes the time to develop its characters in a way that makes you genuinely care about their fates.
Cailee Spaeny and Isabela Merced deliver particularly strong performances, making their characters relatable and compelling amidst the Xenomorph chaos. The ensemble cast, including Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn, and newcomer Aileen Wu, also does a fantastic job, bringing a fresh energy to the franchise.
The movie also delivers on the thrills and terror! The pacing is relentless in the best way possible, with moments of sheer panic that harken back to the original film’s claustrophobic horror.
Alvarez doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the Xenomorphs, and there are scenes that had me on the edge of my seat, eyes wide in anticipation of what might happen next.
One of the things I appreciated most about the movie is the use of practical effects to bring the Xenomorphs and face huggers to life. There’s something about practical effects that just feels more visceral and real, and the team behind Alien: Romulus nailed it.
The creatures are terrifyingly tangible, and knowing that some of the VFX team had worked on the original films made it all the more satisfying. You can tell they put a lot of love and effort into developing these effects, and it pays off in a big way.
Now, while the practical effects were great, not everything was perfect. The CGI work, for the most part, was solid, but there was one character introduced who needed CGI elements to be brought to life, and I have to say that it looked pretty janky.
Every time the character was on screen, It took me out of the moment for a bit, which is a shame because everything else was so well-executed. But honestly, that’s really the only gripe I have about the movie.
All in all, though, Alien: Romulus was a freakin’ awesome sci-fi horror movie that delivered some great terror. The end of the movie was wild and insane, something I definitely didn’t see coming! Without giving anything away, it’s the kind of ending that leaves you buzzing with adrenaline long after the credits roll.
Set between the events of Alien and Aliens, the film follows a group of young people on a distant world who find themselves in a confrontation with the most terrifying life form in the universe. With Ridley Scott onboard as a producer, along with Michael Pruss, you can feel the legacy of the franchise being honored, even as Alvarez brings his own unique vision to the table.
If you’re a fan of the Alien franchise or just love a good sci-fi horror film, Alien: Romulus is a must-watch. It’s a film that respects the legacy of the original movies while also carving out its own place in the Alien mythos.
Alvarez has proven himself to be a worthy steward of the franchise, delivering a film that’s thrilling, scary, and a whole lot of fun! Go see it!
