Alien: Romulus is a 2024 sci-fi horror film about a group of young space colonisers that come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. It is the seventh movie in the Alien franchise.
The movie was directed by Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead 2013; Don’t Breathe) from a screenplay co-written with Rodo Sayagues, based on the characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. It was produced by Ridley Scott and Michael Pruss.
The Scott Free Productions-20th Century Studios production stars Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu.
Director Fede Álvarez previously told Games Radar, “It takes place twenty years after the first film. Technology in the world of Alien can change vastly, but I think it’s not dependent on time,” he adds. “It’s dependent on place. Where you are. So the characters of this movie and the world are very blue-collar. The technology is still very low-tech and analogue. And, look, I’m a kid from the ‘80s. Any monitor with some VHS tracking issues puts a lot of joy in my heart.”
Álvarez also noted that Alien: Romulus takes place “decades before Aliens,” which was set in 2179. The original Alien was set in 2122, which means the events of Alien: Romulus occur in the year 2142.
Release:
Alien: Romulus will be released theatrically worldwide by 20th Century from August 16, 2024.
Reviews:
“Fortunately, Alvarez remains arguably the best horror director of this era when it comes to individual shots and scenes. The emphasis on practical scenery and effects increase the terror, while there are glorious little innovations like the amplified risks of acid blood in zero gravity. But such moments are diversions in what feels like a speed run through all the earlier films, and with the least interesting cast yet.” ★★½ Austin Chronicle
“Alien: Romulus is the Alien film I have been waiting for. While I don’t think anything will ever reach the pinnacle of the original film, Alien: Romulus is a horror-forward swing for the fences with a third act that is uniquely unsettling. With more than enough aesthetic, dialogue, and narrative parallels with the original film, this sequel manages to establish itself as a sharp and thrilling entry that embodies what the franchise is all about.” 8 out of 10, But Why Tho?
“Personally, the third act has its moment but doesn’t work out as great as I thought. Certainly not the mind-blowing kind, especially given its visual and narrative similarity that reminds me of a certain movie. Alien: Romulus may have been a flawed effort but looking at the bigger picture, Álvarez has course-corrected the franchise that it’s a positive step in the right direction compared to the last Alien movie seven years ago.” Casey’s Movie Mania
“The Fede Alvarez movie works hard to deliver the goods, but mimicking the first movie isn’t enough to make lightning strike twice. That’s not to say I hated it. I actually enjoyed the first 90 minutes, but then in the last half hour it both outstays its welcome and made it pretty clear that it wasn’t going anywhere new or original.” A Celebration of Cinema
” …while a messy final third act plays a little too fast and loose when taking an almighty narrative and mythology swing, there are some visual pleasures that impress – particularly a zero gravity attempted escape. Perhaps that’s some of the rub with Alien: Romulus – it manages to embrace its past and exploit the franchise for good measure, rejuvenating it as a greatest hits for a new generation.” Darren’s World of Entertainment
“Exciting, scary, and occasionally gooey in all the right ways, Alien: Romulus is unapologetically an alien movie at the same time it brings enough of a shift in perspective that it has a personality of its own and doesn’t feel like a retread. This franchise has the ability to morph and evolve, much like the xenomorphs themselves, popping up each time with their own individual flourishes and tweaks. It doesn’t veer too far afield from the formula, but it’s a harrowing, thrilling sci-fi horror adventure.” The Last Thing I See
“Romulus is back-to-franchise-basics, giving us a little more insight into the Corporation’s endgame with a reveal that leads to one humdinger of an Act Three […] Credit Alvarez for another win. He knows what made this franchise work, and how to make it work again. Alien: Romulus is relentlessly tense, consistently thrilling, and one thoroughly crowd-pleasing ride.” ★★★½ Maddwolf
“Above all, like its two monumental predecessors, the movie makes us care about the story and characters even when things get quite frantic. Although most of its main characters are more or less than stock archetypes, the screenplay by director Fede Álvarez and his co-writer Rodo Sayagues does some character development before eventually shifting itself onto a full-horror mode.” Seongyong’s Private Place
“The movie takes its time to set up the premise and get to the action but it never drags and is engaging from start to finish. Alvarez has done a masterful job capturing not only the look of the earlier films but also creating an intense thriller that gives audiences what they want and more as use of physical effects was very effective. The cast was strong and Spaeny and Jonsson have a great chemistry with one another…” ★★★★½ Skewed and Reviewed
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