Alien Romulus - Alien formula done right

Last Friday (09/08/2024), among the numerous trailers that preceded my viewing of Longlegs, I caught the trailer for "Alien: Romulus" for the first time. To be honest, I was completely sold. The atmosphere, the aesthetics, and the classic trope of a space crew being hunted by an Alien in an abandoned space station were exactly what I needed to keep the summer blockbuster hype of 2024 alive.

Fast forward to opening night—I’d heard incredible things about the sound design in Romulus, so I knew I had to experience it in a cinema that specializes in sound. Based in Southwest London, there was only one place to go: Olympic Studios in Barnes. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it. The cinema is steeped in history and offers a luxurious vibe that enhances the movie-going experience. But let’s get back to the film.

Olympic Studios Barnes

I’ll be honest: apart from the original Alien and a few clips from other entries in the franchise, I hadn’t seen much of this world—and I didn’t care much to, either. That is, until "Romulus" drew me into an Alien marathon. For those who don’t know, Alien: Romulus is the seventh installment in the Alien franchise, set between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). The film follows a group of young characters trapped on a space station infested with Xenomorphs. The plot centers on Rain, an orphaned miner, and her surrogate brother, Andy, an android. They’re part of a crew attempting to steal cryo-chambers from the station. However, in typical Alien fashion, things quickly spiral out of control as they encounter face-huggers, Xenomorphs, and a synthetic science officer named Rook, who shares a mission with the original Ash android from Alien.

While Romulus doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it plays a role similar to "The Force Awakens" in the "Star Wars" franchise. It brings back all the recognizable and beloved elements while delivering a technically impressive experience. The sound design, practical effects, and cinematography are top-notch. The retro-futuristic aesthetic that sci-fi fans adore returns in full glory, bathed in a gorgeous orange hue reminiscent of the laser-scanning pups from *Prometheus*.

After watching countless horror films, I’ve become somewhat immune to the usual jump scares. However, "Romulus" had me on the edge of my seat for most of its runtime. The tension is palpable, especially with the crew’s limited time to complete their mission as the derelict ship, Romulus, hurtles toward destruction in a nearby planet’s rings.

I haven’t felt this excited about the "Alien" franchise in a long time, and "Romulus" is exactly what the doctor ordered for a legendary series that continues to deliver quality films. Fede Alvarez is an incredible talent who was given the reins to create within the established world of "Alien", though part of me wishes he had more freedom to experiment and subvert our expectations. Nevertheless, "Romulus" is a stunning cinematic experience that demands to be seen on the big screen to be fully appreciated.