Alien: Romulus is a familiar and satisfying journey into the Alien-verse
Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Alvarez, is a nostalgic return to the roots of the Alien franchise, evoking the blue-collar, gritty realism of Ridley Scott’s 1979 original. Much like the ill-fated crew of the Nostromo, this time we follow a group of space workers led by Cailee Spaeny’s Rain. These characters aren’t soldiers or scientists; they’re ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances. As they encounter face-huggers and xenomorphs aboard a derelict ship, the film masterfully taps into the claustrophobic terror that made the first Alien so effective. The simplicity of the plot – everyday workers against an evolving alien menace – brings back that raw, survival-horror edge the franchise has been missing for decades.
One of the most impressive aspects of Romulus is its set design. Every corridor, workstation, and even the ship’s grimy vents ooze authenticity. It feels like a fully realized, lived-in universe, with the attention to detail making you believe that people actually inhabit these spaces. The aesthetics are deliberately retro, echoing the technology and look of the original Alien, complete with bulky machinery and tactile buttons that give the film a sense of physicality. The grimy, industrial style paired with the cold, sterile atmosphere brings back that tense, lonely vibe. Alvarez and his team clearly understand that creating a believable world is half the battle in making the terror real.
The performances across the board are strong, with Cailee Spaeny leading the cast admirably as Rain. She brings a grounded, relatable energy to her role, making her character’s terror and resilience feel genuine. David Jonsson as the synthetic Andy adds an eerie yet charming dynamic, delivering a subtle, layered performance that leaves you wondering about his true intentions. Archie Renaux and Isabela Merced round out the cast as fellow crew members, and while their characters may fit into familiar archetypes, they sell their roles with conviction. Alvarez’s direction keeps the pace tight, balancing moments of quiet dread with bursts of adrenaline-pumping action, allowing the actors to shine in a film that could easily have been overwhelmed by its iconic monsters.
However, Romulus stumbles with its over-reliance on fan service. While some Easter eggs and nods to the earlier films are welcome, the sheer volume of callbacks – from familiar lines of dialogue to reused plot beats – often feels forced. It’s clear the filmmakers wanted to please long-time fans, but many of these moments come off as unnecessary distractions rather than organic additions to the story. Instead of creating its own identity, Romulus too often finds itself leaning on past glories, which ultimately detracts from its narrative momentum.
In the end, Alien: Romulus stands out as the best of the non-Sigourney Weaver Alien films. It manages to capture the gritty, horror-driven spirit of the original and delivers an effective small-space thriller. Yet, despite its many strengths, it still pales in comparison to the first two films, never quite achieving the iconic status of Scott’s Alien or James Cameron’s Aliens. It’s a solid entry in the franchise, but one that remains firmly in the shadow of its predecessors.
Rollo’s Grade: B
