It’s a shame when one of your most anticipated films of the year winds up also being one of the biggest disappointments. Unfortunately, that was my experience with Alien: Romulus, the highly anticipated return to the horrors of space from Fede Álvarez. Álvarez has made a name for himself within the horror community for his use of shockingly grotesque imagery and his skilled approach at crafting tension and dread. On paper, that sounds like the recipe for a perfect Alien film and exactly what this long-running franchise needs to kick it into hyperdrive. Yet, despite having all of the right ingredients, they never cohesively mix.
Alien: Romulus Plot
A group of young colonists embark on a mission to escape the confines of their dire situation. By making their way to a derelict, and seemingly abandoned space station, they hope to set sail on a journey towards a better life. However, they soon realize the station may not be as abandoned as they’d originally thought, and the creatures onboard are far more dangerous than anything any of them have ever faced before.
Atmosphere, Beauty and Blood
The world of Alien: Romulus is a beautiful one. Cinematographer Galo Olivares, who also provided the cinematography for Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, perfectly captures the gritty and unpolished nature of Alien. With muted colors and contrasting images of light and shadow, we’re dropped into a world void of vibrance. The camera moves with the characters, slowly and eerily through the narrow and deserted halls. It’s a claustrophobic environment with that feeling being enhanced through the use of uncomfortably tight closeups. Cinematically, the film succeeds, and it’s clear that Álvarez and Olivares both have an eye for what an Alien film should look like. I have no problems declaring that this is the best looking film in the series; however, its clunky writing and surprisingly unsubtle attempts at fanservice hold the film back.
Failed Fanservice
Romulus is a movie intended to appease both hardcore fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. This is obviously the best approach with any sequel, but especially for one in a franchise of this size. The execution of that bridge between audiences is mostly unsuccessful. It’s the most exposition-heavy entry in the series by far, with one character after the next overly explaining the reasoning behind every action they make and intention they have. The dialogue had me rolling my eyes far more often than I felt any serious engagement with the story.
It’s presented as a standalone entry in the series with no direct ties or links to the films that came before it. Chronologically, it’s set between the events of Alien and Aliens, and while it is primarily its own story, it wants to make sure that you understand it’s set within the world of those first two. Repeated and unnecessary references and callbacks litter the already tiresome script with one specific line of dialogue so cringe inducing I wanted to crawl beneath my chair.
The film is at its best when it plays to Álvarez’s strengths. There are moments of genuine greatness showcasing the terror and excitement promised by the trailer, but they’re far fewer than they needed to be. I do commend the film for putting Facehuggers in a more prominent and exciting role than we’ve typically seen. A horde of the spider-like creatures chasing our protagonists down a hall is equally as frightening as an encounter with a full grown Xenomorph and makes for a visually stunning display on the big screen.
Cailee Spaeny leads a strong ensemble of young actors. She first grabbed my attention in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, where she turned in one of the best performances of the year, before taking on a major role in Alex Garland’s Civil War. She’s an excited young star who’s quickly finding her footing, and she’s one of the few elements of Alien: Romulus that never waivered. The shoes are impossibly large to fill when they belong to Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley; however, Spaeny gives a strong effort and earns her spot in the franchise.
Is Alien: Romulus good?
Alien: Romulus is a failure of a film that’s held together on the talents of its cast and filmmaker. There is a strong, atmospheric horror film here, but it’s buried beneath the weight of unrealistic dialogue, poor writing and the misguided desire to stuff references and callbacks into an unpolished script. Will I watch Alien: Romulus again? Absolutely. Will I feel any differently upon a second viewing? I hope so.
6/10
Alien: Romulus will be in theaters on August 16, 2024.
Learn more about the film, including how to get tickets, at the official website.
You might also like…
