Alien: Romulus – The BRWC Review

21st August 2024

Alien: Romulus – The BRWC Review. By Simon Lalji.

The most terrifying organism in the galaxy has roared its way back to the silver screen and cinematic cheer.

Set twenty years after Ridley Scott’s genre defining, iconic 1979 film ‘Alien’, a crew of desperate miners embark on a mission to the Romulus space station in search of a better life away from the wicked Weyland-Yutani corporation, only to come face to face with the most terrifying organism in cinematic history. Thus discovering that ‘in space no one can hear you scream’…

From the terrifying yet terrific mind of director Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead) comes ‘Alien: Romulus’ but the question from all fans is of course, can Romulus compete with this beloved juggernaut of a franchise that has undoubtedly defined the horror genre for over 40 years? Thankfully, to the grace of several starving ‘Alien’ fans the answer is a chest bursting yes! Fede Alvarez and crew deliver in ‘Alien: Romulus’ almost exactly what fans have grown accustomed to; carnage, chaos and horror, as Alvarez resembles an almost uncanny resemblance to every Alien film before. ‘Alien: Romulus’ takes the best aspects from each film in the franchise, meticulously crafting an Alien film fit for fans of all films in the franchise. Gripping the horror, carnage and pure fear from Ridley Scott’s films to James Cameron’s naturalistic eye for action and even David Fincher’s dark and somewhat sinister tone, Alvarez truly knows how to please and unite all of the different factions of the ‘Alien’ fandom.

It’s no secret that fans have grown attached to multiple marvellous variations of ‘Alien’ from the classic Ripley films to the fun of ‘Alien vs Predator’ or even the mind bending ‘Prometheus’ films, with each film bringing something new to the table. Thus making Alvarez’s decision of taking the franchise back to basics even more genius. Though some may say Alvarez’s ideas aren’t one hundred percent original, perhaps going back to basics is exactly what this franchise needs. Alvarez pivots ‘Alien’ back to its horrifying roots, presenting the film with a crystal clear love towards the franchise. Whether through simple fan pleasing easter eggs such as 80s style computers to the priceless practically produced Xenomorphs and Facehuggers that may present a franchise best visually, Alvarez honours the franchise’s past and legacy in all of its entirety. However, Alvarez doesn’t stop at making this simple and relatively safe ‘Alien’ film but he instead infuses ‘Romulus’ with the grotesque, dark and suspenseful tone and style that Fede Alvarez has become known for within the horror community throughout his filmography with beloved flicks such as ‘Don’t Breathe’ and ‘Evil Dead’ (2013). Alvarez and crew clearly manifest every shot, every scare and every creature with immense care and love, all in the genuine effort to give audiences a fun, terrifying and simply gory time. ‘Romulus’ certainly proves the point that if there’s one thing Fede Alvarez can do, it’s craft a tension filled, visually beautiful and disgusting sequence that audiences may even have to look away from… suffice to say ‘Alien Romulus’ is not for the light of heart.

With this being said, an Alien film is only as good as its cast, after all Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley raged her way to an oscar nomination for 1987’s action packed and fan favourite performance in ‘Aliens’. Thus forcing fans to wonder, is it truly possible to come close to Weaver’s star making performance? While the whole cast delivers masterclass, fear filled performances throughout, the clear future Hollywood stars are Cailee Spaeny (Civil war) and David Jonsson (Rye Lane), starring as the film’s two lead characters of Rain and Andy. While Spaeny embodies the action star, scream queen and heartfelt final girl persona that all horror and Alien fans adore, it’s Jonsson who manifests the heart, soul and emotional core of the film. Jonsson’s character being the chosen synthetic android, as per Alien tradition, reigns true to the legacy of androids standing out and stealing the show in the ‘Alien’ franchise. Whether through Michael Fassbender’s ‘David’ or Ian Holm’s’ Ash’, Jonsson cements himself as the draw audiences need to watch ‘Romulus’ in cinemas. Though some fans may be tired of the traditional ‘Alien’ formula and wish to see a continuation of more unique Alien stories such as Prometheus, Jonsson alone is a worthy enough draw to not only give the film emotional depth but also to enhance the bloodlusting, carnivorous and downright horrifying Xenomorphs.

Though ‘Romulus’ presents masterclass filmmaking as well as insane Alien carnage, action and horror, unfortunately the film does not come without its flaws no matter how small they may be. In an effort to avoid spoilers while keeping things simple, Romulus dispenses itself with an interesting and somewhat unique third act twist that will no doubt split audiences with most either loving or hating it. Though Isabela Merced (Instant Family) delivers one of the most petrified performances in the Alien franchise in an absolutely invigorating and bloodbath filled act, the twist unfortunately bags the film down and leaves a somewhat mixed but still relatively positive ending to the film.

Overall, ‘Alien: Romulus’ though not perfect, understands exactly what makes an ‘Alien’ flick tick and how to give audiences one hell of a good time at the movies. However, with ‘Romulus’ recent one hundred million dollar opening, a potential sequel is all but guaranteed. Whether the franchise’s future once again follows Spaeny and Jonsson or Fede Alvarez’s recent comments about co-directing an ‘Alien vs Predator’ reboot with ‘Prey’ Director Dan Trachtenberg come to fruition, one thing is for sure and it’s that this franchise still has some chests to burst.

4/5

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