An atmospheric and frightening gem

Alien: Romulusdirected by Fede Álvarez, is an exciting new chapter in the Foreigner Franchise that skillfully balances the elements of science fiction, action and horror that characterize this cult series. As a standalone interquel between Foreigner (1979) and Aliens (1986), this film plunges viewers into a claustrophobic nightmare that pays homage to its predecessors while also staking its own claim within the franchise.

Set against the bleak and depressing backdrop of outer space, the film sees a group of young space colonists stumble upon an abandoned space station that harbors a deadly secret. The story begins when a drone space probe discovers an organic object in the wreckage of the USCSS Nostromo. In a secret facility, the Xenomorph dormant within the object has been released, harboring deadly potential.

The story centers on Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny), an orphan who works on the Jackson’s Star mining colony. Rain’s adoptive brother Andy (David Jonsson), a reprogrammed synthetic, is crucial to her survival. When Rain’s contract is unexpectedly extended, she teams up with her ex-boyfriend Tyler (Archie Renaux), his pregnant sister Kay (Isabela Merced), his cousin Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and Bjorn’s girlfriend Navarro (Aileen Wu) to escape to the more hospitable planet Yvaga. The group’s goal: to recover cryonic stasis chambers from an abandoned spaceship.

The cold, dark corridors of the space station add to the film’s impeccably created atmosphere of tension and impending doom. Every single moment on screen feels dirty and disgusting. It’s one of the most atmospheric films I’ve ever seen.

The cast delivers strong performances that add depth to the film’s relentless pace and intense atmosphere. Cailee Spaeny shines as Rain, portraying her with a mix of vulnerability and resilience that anchors the narrative. David Jonsson delivers a nuanced performance as Andy, particularly as his character wrestles with the effects of his reprogramming and subsequent reversion to Weyland-Yutani’s orders.

Archie Renaux’s Tyler is convincing as the flawed but brave leader, and Isabela Merced brings emotional complexity to Kay, especially in the later scenes with the Prometheus tribe. Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu round out the cast with solid performances, adding to the group’s dynamic and tension-filled interactions.

Fede Álvarez’s direction is masterful, capturing the essence of Ridley Scott’s original vision while adding fresh elements that keep the franchise alive and relevant. The visual effects are top-notch, the Xenomorphs are depicted in terrifying detail. The abandoned Romulus space station is a character in itself, its labyrinthine structure and decaying interiors heightening the sense of dread.

Álvarez skillfully uses light and sound to build tension, taking advantage of shadows and silence to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The film’s action sequences are intense and well-choreographed, maintaining a relentless pace that never feels rushed or overwhelming.

Alien: Romulus explores familiar themes such as survival, corporate greed and the ethics of artificial intelligence. That is something that the franchise does so well. It explores themes that go much deeper than you would imagine in an alien film, and Romulus is no different.

In total:

Alien: Romulus is a gripping addition to the beloved saga, mixing horror, action and science fiction elements in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. Álvarez has created a film that pays tribute to its roots while forging its own path, with strong performances, stunning visuals and a story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.