Alien: Romulus (2024): review

Alien: Romulus returns the franchise to its horror roots. Directed by Fede Álvarez, whose earlier work includes Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe, it offers a dark, intense experience.

Story and themes

Set between Alien and Aliens, the film follows young people trying to escape life in a mining colony. Rain Carradine, played by Cailee Spaeny, joins a salvage expedition to an abandoned space station. Their search for equipment becomes a struggle for survival when they encounter the Xenomorph.

The themes are familiar to the series: isolation, survival, and confrontation with a superior alien threat. Álvarez stays close to its horror foundations while exploring the physical and psychological pressure on his characters.

Performances under pressure

Spaeny is convincing as Rain, capturing the fear and determination of a young woman trapped in an apparently hopeless situation. David Jonsson gives strong support as Andy, her synthetic companion, bringing considerable emotional range to the role. Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu complete the group and contribute to its tense dynamic.

The performances are strong overall, even if some characters remain stereotypical or insufficiently developed. The leads nevertheless hold our attention through committed, powerful work.

Direction and images

Álvarez makes effective use of the station’s claustrophobia to sustain tension. Galo Olivares’s cinematography intensifies the danger and isolation through tight framing and dynamic movement.

The practical creature effects deserve particular attention. They give the Xenomorphs a physical presence, making the characters’ fear feel tangible and strengthening the horror.

Returning to the roots

The emphasis on practical sets and creatures is combined with digital visual effects. That tangible foundation helps the film reconnect with the franchise’s origins while allowing the larger science-fiction imagery to work around it.

Álvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues draw heavily on the series’ established elements while introducing new ideas. Their collaboration with cast and crew produces a cohesive, intense experience that can appeal to longtime fans and newcomers.

There are also clear parallels with Alien: Isolation. Both the game and the film draw on the franchise’s claustrophobia and survival horror, placing a determined female protagonist in an isolated environment under constant threat. Romulus captures something of the original’s essence through that emphasis on suspense and vulnerability. For fans, it recalls the game’s oppressive atmosphere.

Where it falls short

This is an exciting and entertaining film, particularly for genre fans willing to overlook a predictable plot and some stereotypical characters.

The verdict

Alien: Romulus is a solid addition to the franchise, distinguished by atmosphere, convincing performances, and effective practical effects. The story and characterization have weaknesses, but the film still delivers a gripping, frightening journey for horror viewers and followers of the series.