***WARNING: THIS FILM REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS! ***
Alien: Romulus, the latest installment in the enduring Alien franchise, is a curious blend of nostalgia and fresh concepts.
Directed by Fede Álvarez, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues, the film finds itself wedged between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). With such prestigious company on either side, the film had big shoes to fill. For the most part, it delivers—at least in the first half.
The story follows a group of young, desperate space colonists who are trying to escape never-ending mining contracts on a Weyland-Yutani star. The group, which includes a family-less woman named Rain (Cailee Spaeny), find themselves scavenging a derelict space ship for equipment that will help them to reach a new planet with better conditions. What they encounter, of course, are the franchise's signature hostile creatures, with a few new twists thrown in for good measure.
For fans of the series, Alien: Romulus offers plenty of references to the past, with nods to Prometheus (which I love for its profound philosophical questions), Alien and Aliens. It even includes a solid dose of Cockney accents and alien vision as a sneaky wink to the (dare I say it) underrated Alien 3. Music samples from the original films are also woven into the score, stirring a sense of eerie familiarity that fans will appreciate.
One of the film's most intriguing elements is its exploration of Rain's relationship with artificial intelligence, specifically with Andy (David Jonsson), an outdated Weyland-Yutani synthetic human who she calls her “brother.” Andy is the most likable synthetic human the series has offered to date—yes, even more likeable than the loyal Bishop! His regular seizures and need for constant rebooting add a layer of vulnerability and pathos that resonate emotionally.
Rain and Andy’s relationship feels particularly relevant in today's world, where our increasing reliance on technology prompts deeper questions about the nature of human-AI connections and the imperfections that make them both fascinating and unsettling. Unfortunately, as compelling as he is initially, Andy's character loses steam as the film progresses, dragging the latter half of the story down with him.
While the franchise's tradition of body horror is alive and well (with aliens erupting from nearly every conceivable orifice), Álvarez opts for too much restraint with surprisingly minimal blood and gore. The alien-unborn baby hybrid that grows at an unprecedented pace—a clear callback to the most disappointing and cringe-worthy moment in Alien Resurrection—feels misguided. Far from terrifying, this creature only serves as a reminder of the franchise’s occasional missteps.
Despite its strong start, Alien: Romulus struggles to maintain momentum. After the midpoint, the pacing falters, and the film seems to lose its way. The climax drags on, overstaying its welcome and diminishing the impact of what could have been a solid entry in the series.
In conclusion, Alien: Romulus is a film of two halves. The first half is compelling, anchored by an engaging AI-human relationship and a fresh take on familiar horrors. However, the second half stumbles, with a predictable and lackluster ending that ultimately leaves the film feeling less than the sum of its parts. Still, for fans of the franchise, it’s worth the watch—just don’t expect it to join the ranks of its classic predecessors.
Rating: 7/10
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About Victoria Hall
Victoria Hall is an English-born writer and illustrator with a passion for anything gothic, eccentric or quirky. You can follow Victoria on Instagram or check out her bio here.
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