Alien: Romulus Review: Bringing Back the Horror to the Alien Franchise

Alien: Romulus is everything horror sci-fi fans could have expected and more. 

Alien: Romulus is hitting theaters everywhere, August 16, 2024. Coming from 20th Century Studios, Fede Álvarez revitalizes the Alien franchise by taking it back to its horror roots, with more sprinkled on top.  

Alien: Romulus immerses us into a world where there is no sunshine and disease as we follow a group of young colonists looking for a way off their mining planet. While the entire cast played their roles well, the performances from Rain (Cailee Spaeney) and Andy (David Jonsson) are standouts from start to finish. Jonsson portrays an android, or synthetic, and he delivers an authentic, raw performance that is unlike those of previous Alien films. Spaeney is a true badass lead, walking in the shoes of Sigourney Weaver but very clearly, putting her own stamp on the franchise.

The use of practical effects is impressive. 

Fede Álvarez has been loud in his thoughts on CGI heavy films and how practical is always better. And that is evident in this film. From the Xenomorphs to the small details on set, where there is practical, it makes an impact on screen. Not to say that the visual effects aren't good, because they are. Álvarez's visual representation of space is on par with films like Star Wars or other epic sci-fi films. Everything comes together to give audiences a dark, atmospheric experience.

And once you're in its grips, it doesn't let go. Alien: Romulus is the perfect blend of a gut-wrenching horror and on-the-edge of your seat action. From the opening sequence to the last, there's not a moment where you're not engaged in what's happening on screen. Álvarez is a master of tension building, as we've seen from one of his previous films, Don't Breathe. Alien: Romulus is no different. Once this group of colonists step foot into Xenomorph-land, the tension dial is turned up to 100, and you just hang on for the ride. 

And it has a lot to say.

There is no shortage of social commentary in this film. From giving your soul to the corporate grind to keeping the government out of women's bodies, Alien: Romulus does not shy away from all sorts of topics in its almost two hour runtime. Álvarez balances the dynamic well, much like other franchise films have done in the past. 

If you love a little sci-fi in your horror, you're going to want to witness Alien: Romulus on the big screen. The score (or lack thereof), cinematography, performances, effects, and the overall story come together artfully to give us another Alien masterpiece.