Alien: Romulus

Although I haven't seen the entire Alien franchise and it's many different paths, I can say that I'm often a fan of it. The excitement for a new Alien film isn't at the same level as say something like James Bond, but I'm still looking forward to seeing one. With Alien: Romulus, I was even further in the dark because I'm unfamiliar with Fede Alvarez's work outside of 2013's Evil Dead remake. I know he's talented in the horror space with films like Don't Breathe, so while I was excited to get a new director in this sandbox, I also only tangentially knew what to expect. 

Obviously there's a lot to say about previous films in this franchise. The first Alien and Aliens sequel are two of the best back-to-back franchise films ever, even if they're quite different. Since then, there have been a litany of sequels, prequels, and side-gigs of which I've reviewed Prometheus (really enjoyed) and Alien: Covenant (less likable) that have led us to this set-in-the-same-universe-but-indirect-sequel with Romulus. 

My expectations going in were positive, but well-managed, and I walked away really enjoying Alien: Romulus. It feels like a distinct new chapter in this series, while being recognizable enough - and hitting many of the same horror beats - to feel at home. That's perhaps the first thing worth praising is Alvarez's direction and ability to not only build tension, but excitement. There's a talented eye on framing and editing throughout, capturing the claustrophobia and eerie nature of a deserted space station where something clearly went wrong. The lighting is incredible, as well as some of the color choices to break up what could have just been a bunch of dark hues of gray, black, and brown. What's more impressive is that there's nothing really new here, but it's done well and that matters for a lot. 

Thanks to some thoughtful characterization, I also enjoyed the story too. Similarly, there's nothing new, but it earns its keep. This is largely thanks to Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson's Rain and Andy, respectively. Andy is an android (not a spoiler) and the performance by Jonsson borders that realm of robot and human well. Andy's affinity for dad jokes and protecting Rain create a strong bond from the get go and Spaeny's earnest performance throughout creates a memorable character in a series that has a lot of them. The rest of the cast unfortunately doesn't fare as well, with really no one else leaving a mark. But the film is almost entirely focused on Rain and Andy, so that wasn't ever too big of an issue for me. 

The lighting is often *chef's kiss*

In terms of thrills, visuals, and horror, Alien: Romulus delivers in spades. The visuals are some of the best this year, particularly when it transitions to space shots. My jaw dropped frequently for reasons that are mildly spoilerish. Inside the ship, aside from some off-putting CGI on a particular character, the visuals are spot-on, largely with the use of animatronics for key shots of the Xenomorph. That monster remains terrifying - as do the facehuggers - because it's one of the best designed monsters in cinema's history. There are moments of horror and unease, moments of brutal gore, heightened tension, and a finale that feels like a combination of all three. I view the finale into 2 distinct segments (again, no spoilers), the first of which is incredibly inspired and the coolest portion of the film. I liked the latter part of the climax, but I'm still deciding if I liked the leap it takes, even if it is exciting and looks great. Couple all of that with an original score that has music that bolsters the material (most of the time), and you've got a particularly packed 119 minute movie once it gets going. 

How super hardcore fans of Alien: Romulus will enjoy it, I'm unsure...though I suspect they'll find it does the originals justice. As a casual fan in this series, I had a really good time with Romulus, more so than I thought I would. It's worth seeing BIG and LOUD for maximum effect. 

Rapid Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10