Movie: Alien: Romulus
Production Company: Scott Free Productions, Brandywine Productions
Director: Fede Alverez
Producers: Ridley Scott, Walter Hill, Fede Alverez
Scriptwriters: Fede Alverez, Rodo Sayagues
Main Cast: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu
Release Date: 16th August 2024
Running Time: 119 minutes
Certificate: 15
Introduction: ‘Don’t Breathe’ and ‘Evil Dead’ director Fede Alverez takes the reigns of ‘Alien’ and returns the series back to it’s much needed roots, in doing so creating what is (for my money) the best space horror film ever made.
Synopsis: Whilst searching in an abandoned space vessel above their planet for escape pods, a young set of colonizers come face to the most dangerous and lethal form of alien life in the universe.
Analysis: If you are old enough to remember when ‘Alien’ first came out and perhaps even saw it, you’ll remember the seismic shift cinema was about to take. Granted, it was the stratospheric success of ‘Star Wars’ (perhaps the most influential film of all time?) that inspired Ridley Scott to make ‘Alien’, yet it was all about the execution and an entirely new form of horror no one had ever seen before. Now, forty-five years and seven films later, we have finally arrived back to what made the first film so impactful, so much so that I was rendered even more speechless by this compared to when I saw ‘Alien’ for the first time (how I would’ve loved to be there when it all first happened). This is also scarier than the first by quite a bit, it may also (if your a fan of video-games) remind you of ‘Dead Space’ in areas, especially the final set piece.
‘Alien: Romulus’ is as straightforward as this franchise has ever been, and thankfully does not quite share the declining story-telling quality of others, but it is the way in which it is handled and executed that I was so enthralled and blown away by. Rather ironically (due to their long going cinematic rivalry), this notices what ‘Prey’ did for ‘Predator’ and pretty closely replicates it and keeps things simple which is what terrified audiences to begin with.
The only element separating the two is that ‘Alien’ was the first to do horror of this kind and therefore set the foundation for all to follow. I do agree with the fact that the original was more more impressive given their creativity ability. They were able to make the original film without modern technology (or any technology of any kind really) and solely rely on physical effects and to keep things down to a simple minimum. What they did at the time is remarkable and nothing will take away it’s accomplishments. The reason that I think this is a stronger film is due to them taking the well-worn and familiar formula and doin their own thing with it; reminding you why ‘Alien’ was so good. From the way I see it, any new director is welcome as you do not know what they will bring to the table or how it would compare to films that came before.
With every fibre of my being, I believe this is better than the first. I was more stunned by Alverez’s direction in this than I was Scott’s, I can’t wait to see what he does next. It knows what it needs to succeed and does it in abundance, a faithful installment that manages to surpass it’s predecessor. Every aspect of this plays out exactly how you would want but more. It’s claustrophobia is soul-shuddering, it’s spectacle awe-inspiring, it’s sound heart-pounding, it’s violence and gore revoltingly realistic and it’s direction is perfection. Yet is also has a crucial sense of patience that it knows it needs to have to work. For me, this is the full package of what makes the perfect space survival shocker. But, most importantly, it has a story that (mostly) works which was the driving force back in ’79 and something that recent installments lacked so much. Ever since I first discovered that Fede Alverez was doing this, I was instantly on board (pun intended).
He realizes what made everything work back in the day and therefore returns us to the enclosed, gooey and silent atmosphere which is long overdue. Having recently revisited ‘Don’t Breathe’ and forgetting just how well done it was, he was all but perfect for this and is one of the best horror directors in the industry. You are in safe hands with any filmmaker who prioritizes practical animatronics over CGI as he does here (he has publicly addressed this importance which makes me an even bigger fan). Granted, some set pieces are pure popcorn entertainment and nothing else, yet I was still astonished by how well it was doing it. As I always note, the circumstances for which you see the film does play a part. Not only was this shot and formatted specifically for IMAX, but you will not get as good a sound system anywhere else which is arguably the best part of the film. Breathtaking visuals are a great addition, but not as much as feeling the film shake your body. Seek one out if you can. One of the best experiences of the year.
The physicality, ooze and confined terror combined with Benjamin Wallfisch’s panic stricken and thumping score won me over almost instantly. As a film score nerd, I love losing myself to the music. It is no secret that the backstory, context and writing behind most of the more recent ‘Alien’ entries (the fourth film and after) have slipped into existential waffle and you got the sense that some were not as smart as they thought they were. Romulus does not suffer as bad a fate but still falls victim to this to a certain extent; let’s be charitable and say it is the least annoying. There is one ‘revival’ element that most dedicated fans may be made rather cross by that the film uses for the plot. Whilst the choice and purpose made sense, the way they go about executing it should have been more discrete.
I am really quite taken back by just how much of a blast I had with this, and I have never been happier to potentially be in the minority. Regardless, I am over the moon with what Alverez and crew managed pulled off here and no one can take that away from me.
In cinemas now.
Overall Rating: 10/10 – Perfect
Target Audience: 15+
Content Warning: strong horror, gore, language
Recommendation: Yes
