Recent additions to iconic franchises and series tend to have mixed results. Some movies are beloved by both original and new fans, while others struggle to please either audience. One of the newest franchise revivals is “Alien: Romulus,” which was released this year on Aug. 16.
Immediately, the movie harkens back to the original “Alien” from 1979 with a camera shot of expansive space, credits and title card. Audiences are filled with a sense of nostalgia and wonder, gazing at the empty yet beautiful nature of the cosmos.
Our cast of characters is limited, which is typical of an “Alien” movie. Our heroine, Rain — played by Cailee Spaeny — joins a band of scrappers to find a way off the mining colony she has spent her entire life on. She’s joined by her synthetic companion — they prefer the term “artificial person” — named Andy, played by David Jonsson.
Their goal when searching the deserted outpost, the Renaissance, is to find cryostasis pods and fuel to make the journey to another planet, one where they can finally see the sunrise. Unfortunately, they also find everyone’s favorite parasite — the “facehuggers” — and must escape by traveling throughout the two sections of the Renaissance: Romulus and Remus.
Though just a broad summary, the plot is sprinkled with easter eggs, terrifying action scenes and moments that make the audience gasp. The limited cast makes each moment and death much more sincere. One thing to note is that the crew members are barely young adults. This sets them apart from the casts of previous installments of the franchise, as they were trained, spacefaring explorers working on behalf of Weyland-Yutani. The goal of the 2024 crew, in contrast, is to leave the company and live their lives.
Spoiler warning for character death in “Alien: Romulus” ahead!
“Alien: Romulus” delivers on the iconic deaths that fans want to see, the first being the “chestburster” death in which the xenomorph finally leaves its human incubator. The build-up to this first death is filled with tension and knowing looks from the audience, especially as the legless android Rook states that the pilot, Navarro, has only a 60-40 chance of survival. In the context of a sci-fi horror movie, those chances are actually zero.
For the first two-thirds of the movie, the sci-fi aspects shine. But the last 30 minutes or so will chill you to the bone. This is the moment when the atmosphere changes, and you suddenly remember that this is a horror movie. Most people are familiar with aliens like the facehugger or the xenomorph from previous films. But “Alien: Romulus” adds a new monster: the humanoid xenomorph that’s been dubbed the “Offspring” by fans doesn’t feel like an alien; it feels like a demon straight from hell.
As with all big hits, “Alien: Romulus” is subject to negative reviews from critics. Yet even critics cannot deny the spectacular effects used in “Alien: Romulus.” Most of the scenes utilize practical effects, meaning the creatures are real puppets rather than CGI. Even the most detailed puppets can look fake if not done correctly. “Alien: Romulus” is mostly set in dark environments,, showcasing the best features of the puppets and props.
On the subject of CGI, “Alien: Romulus” does use it for what is a hotly contested issue. Rook is an android, but his likeness is copied from a previous android in the past films named Bishop. The actor, Ian Holm, passed away in 2020. The movie uses AI technology to recreate his face and voice for the character, while Daniel Betts portrays the facial and vocal movements. This brings up the issue of Hollywood’s use of AI, although Holm’s family expressly gave permission for his likeness to be used in the film.
Despite the ethical debate surrounding the use of AI, it did succeed in creating a feeling of nostalgia.
“Alien: Romulus” succeeds in revisiting a franchise which was thought to be dead, after the confusion in the lore created by “Prometheus” and the lackluster CGI in “Alien: Covenant.” Even if fans are upset with creative choices, “Alien: Romulus” strikes terror in all those who witness it.
Rating: 4/5