By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Director
Fede Alvarez, known for his thrilling horror films "Don't Breathe" and "Evil Dead," takes the "Alien" franchise into darker, and chilling territory with the new sci-fi thriller,
"Alien: Romulus."
Alvarez, alongside
Rodo Sayagues ("Don't Breathe 2") and
Dan O'Bannon ("Prometheus"), co-wrote this seventh installment in the iconic series. "Alien: Romulus" is a standalone interquel, neatly nestled between the seminal films "Alien" (1979) and "Aliens" (1986). With the legendary
Ridley Scott ("Alien") returning as co-producer, "Alien: Romulus" doesn’t just revisit the familiar nightmare, it expands it.
From the outset, it's clear that "Alien: Romulus" is more than just another entry in a long-running series. Alvarez and his team pay meticulous attention to continuity, seamlessly integrating the film into the existing lore while injecting it with fresh, terrifying energy. The result is a movie that feels both like a tribute to the original "Alien" and a bold reimagining that dares to push the franchise into uncharted territory.
The film centers on a group of young space colonists led by Cailee Spaeny ("Civil War" "Priscilla"), who delivers a compelling performance as Rain, a lowly laborer at a Weyland-Yutani mining colony. Rain's bleak existence takes a dark turn when she, along with her synthetic brother Andy (a standout David Jonsson, "Rye Lane"), her ex-boyfriend Tyler (Archie Renaux, "Upgraded"), and a motley crew of others, embark on a mission to scavenge parts from a derelict space station.
The ensemble cast, including Isabela Merced ("Madame Web") as Tyler's sister Kay, Spike Fearn ("Back to Black") as his cousin Bjorn, and newcomer Aileen Wu as Bjorn's girlfriend Navarro, collectively bring a dynamic energy to the film.
Now, they must work together on this mission and scavenge the needed parts from a derelict station they discover floating in space. What could possibly be on it? Well, they soon realize something just isn't right.
The creaks of the metal, the dim flickering of lights, and the unsettling silence are more than just atmospheric details—they are harbingers of the terror that lurks within.
The film’s production design is also a visual feast. The space station, a decaying relic of human ambition with its labyrinthine corridors and vast, echoing chambers are stunning and create an environment that feels as dangerous as the creature that inhabits it.
Scott's original "Alien" set the benchmark for sci-fi horror, and his fingerprints are very much evident in "Alien: Romulus."
Overall, "Alien: Romulus" stands as a worthy addition to the "Alien" saga. It successfully bridges the gap between classic horror and modern sci-fi, offering a film that is both nostalgic for longtime fans and accessible to newcomers.
With Fede Alvarez at the helm and a stellar cast propelling an updated narrative to the forefront, it shows that the "Alien" franchise still has considerable life—and terror—left in it.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"ALIEN: ROMULUS"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
