Horror Movie Review – Alien: Romulus (2024)

Alien: Romulus is a 2024 American science fiction horror film directed by Fede Álvarez. Part of the Alien franchise, Romulus is set between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). It follows three pairs of siblings, all downtrodden young space colonists.

In 2142, a Weyland-Yutani space probe investigates the wreckage of the USCSS Nostromo which was destroyed two decades prior. The probe collects a large cocoon and departs for a secret research space station. Upon arrival, masked scientists open the cocoon, revealing the xenomorph.

Months later at the colony Jackson’s Star on LV-410, Rain Carradine works and lives with her adoptive brother Andy, a malfunctioning android reprogrammed by Rain’s late father. After her original work contract is forcibly extended by Weyland-Yutani, Rain’s ex-boyfriend Tyler persuades her to join an expedition with his pregnant sister Kay, their cousin Bjorn and Bjorn’s adoptive sister Navarro to a derelict spacecraft to retrieve cryostasis chambers that will allow them to escape to the planet Yvaga.

Andy’s ability to interface with the on-board computer system is crucial for the expedition, but Rain is hesitant to take him along until she is convinced by Tyler and Andy to allow him to assist. They fly to the spacecraft, which is revealed to be the Renaissance—a Weyland-Yutani research station divided into parts Romulus and Remus.

While retrieving cryogenic fuel for the stasis chambers, Tyler, Bjorn, and Andy accidentally disable the temperature control keeping cloned facehuggers asleep, triggering a lockdown and unleashing them. To override the lockdown, Rain installs a chip from a damaged android, Rook, into Andy, granting him access to the station while also updating his software. This also changes his “prime directive”, making him loyal solely to Weyland-Yutani.

As the group flees the chamber, a facehugger latches onto Navarro. Rain reactivates Rook, who discloses that the xenomorph captured by the station killed the station’s crew. Although Tyler removes the facehugger, Rook warns it may have already implanted its “seed”.

Check out Alien: Romulus to see what happens next.

Have you seen the trailer for Alien: Romulus because goddamn is it awesome. It got me all sorts of hyped for this film, especially when I saw that Fede Álvarez was attached. The trailer previewed a welcome return to the horror roots of the Alien franchise as well. The question is, does the film deliver? I genuinely believe that it does, albeit with flaws. I’m a little surprised to see that this is a somewhat divisive film.

Firstly, the way in Romulus ties into the original Alien film is simple but clever. Knowing that even though Ripley ejected the Xeno into the vacuum of deep space, it still wasn’t enough to kill the thing. It placed itself into a cocoon like state, truly the perfect organism.

I loved the little glimpse we got of the mining planet in which our characters are inhabitants. It immediately gave the film a fresh feel and helped further flesh out this somewhat contained universe. It made me want to see more of this type of thing going forward.

We’re almost immediately introduced to the android Andy who was by far my favourite character in the film. This is mainly due to the performance of David Jonsson who does such a great job throughout. He displays so much with his facial expressions and deep confliction surrounding what he is programmed to do. The relationship and bond between Andy & Rain is a real highlight. Again, mostly because of the performances. I cared a lot considering the film would have benefited from a few flashback moments between the two.

Other than that, the characters are fine. The acting is solid but a few more scenes seeing them bond wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Romulus doesn’t screw around. It’s intent on getting up to that abandoned ship as fast as possible so it can get to the action. Things go to hell quickly which is a positive and a slight negative. The fast pace will do well with more casual moviegoers. As a big fan of horror, I would have loved a more slow building of dread. Romulus is not subtle but it’s intense, having both isn’t always easy. There are few moments of quiet amongst the tension filled scenarios the characters find themselves in.

Additionally, the visuals throughout are awesome. Truly, facehuggers and xenomorphs have never looked this good. Also, the details throughout the ship and the usage of practical effects are further positive aspects.

I know I can’t get away with praising the visuals and effects of this film without addressing the elephant in the room. Yes, I agree with everyone that the effect that is being talked about so much is an unfortunate blemish. I am of course talking about the CGI effect used on the android Rook which is to make them appear like the android Ash played by the late Ian Holm in Alien (1979). This may not be a huge issue if it was used briefly but Rook is a big part of the film and appears on screen way too much for how bad this looks.

Anyway, there are as well a number of very creative scenes. One involving zero gravity is a particular highlight.

Other than the very close ties to Alien, I was a bit surprised at how much Romulus references Prometheus. This leads into my biggest problem with the film. It falls into that trap of just not being able to leave the past alone. There are one too many references and throwbacks when it’s doing just fine without them. At one stage an iconic Ripley line is dropped in the most cringe worthy fashion. It’s moments like this that do nothing more than drag back the film.

Overall, Alien: Romulus does indeed resurrect the Alien franchise. It delivers a film that is in part the best aspects of Alien (1979) & Aliens (1986) combined. The action is fast and intense with moments of genuine dread. The closing chapter goes somewhat balls to the wall in a way even I didn’t expect but as a horror fan, I had a lot of fun. It may lack subtlety but it makes up for it with standout performances and creativity.