When the horror science fiction film Alien came out in 1979, it broke new boundaries for its time. Protagonist Ellen Louise Ripley is considered by many to be the first female action character to challenge the sexist stereotypes often assigned to women characters in the genre. Along with doing away with gender norms, both the original and the 1986 sequel, Aliens, had no issue showing how corporations value their wealth and products over the lives of their workers. The latest addition to the franchise, Alien: Romulus, continues with this anti-corporate theme while giving viewers an inventive new story of horror and resilience—and plenty of nightmare fuel.
Directed by Fede Álvarez, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues, Alien: Romulus is the seventh installment in the Alien film series. The story takes place between the events of the first and second original movies. It deals with a group of young mine workers who are looking for a way to escape their grueling lives on a planet that essentially uses indentured servitude to force working people to mine for materials in horrible conditions akin to the dangerous coal mines of the United States.
When these miners find what appears to be an abandoned spaceship, they hope it will be their ticket to lives free of exploitation. Things go horribly wrong, though, when they realize the abandoned vessel isn’t as empty as they thought. Parasitic aliens known as Xenomorphs are reawakened, thus forcing the group of young workers into a fight for their lives.
For those familiar with the Alien franchise, there will be a lot of nostalgia to enjoy. There are a good number of well-placed callbacks to the first two films. This makes sense, as Alien and Aliens are often (rightly) considered the best of the franchise. That said, those who have not seen Aliens won’t be lost in the story, and even if you haven’t seen the original Alien, there is enough exposition throughout the movie to bring the audience up to speed. Luckily for all viewers, the movie doesn’t rely so heavily on nostalgia to the point of feeling like an unnecessary cash grab. The themes of the first two films are utilized just enough, allowing them to not challenge any established lore while presenting a fresh story.
The film stands out by interestingly expanding the universe without rewriting what we know from the original. In Alien, a crew of contracted workers thought they were on a mission to transport standard cargo. What we learn is that the crew weren’t told the truth, however, and were tricked into obtaining a dangerous specimen that ended up putting their lives at risk. Their employer makes it clear that the specimen is the priority and that the lives of the crew are all “secondary.” Aliens continued with this theme, as the corporation that contracted Ripley’s crew is more concerned with the damage to its spaceships and cargo (from the first film) than the lost lives.
Both of the first two films showed that greed and corporate culture provide a fruitful basis from which horrific events can unfold. Alien: Romulus expands on this sentiment by showing us the lives of some people at the bottom of the social hierarchy: those who mine for materials in horrible conditions to supply corporations with what they need to explore the wonders of space for capitalistic and militaristic gain.
These conditions create the desperation that pushes our leading characters on their journey for something better, ultimately finding themselves in something much worse. This angle adds heart to the film in a way that ensures the characters aren’t just your standard group of expendable bodies for horror kills.
Director Álvarez does a wonderful job of balancing the emotional moments between the characters with the gruesome terror that the Xenomorphs bring. Newer technology allows for impressive visuals without the leaving the movie too reliant on computer-generated images (CGI). It is an out-of-this-world story, but relevant social themes and a simple focus effectively keep the film grounded.
The major standout performance comes from David Jonsson, who plays Andy, a pivotal character in the young crew’s plans to take over the abandoned ship. Without going into spoilers, Andy’s character arc is crucial to the film, and Jonsson carries this task with power and grace. Andy’s very being—who and what he is—serves as a new interesting plot point that fits well not only in the interpersonal dynamics of the crew but in the overall picture of the story.
Cailee Spaeny, who plays Rain Carradine, gives a strong performance. There’s no need to compare her to the iconic Ripley, as the movie makes Rain quite different but interesting in her own right. Rain and Andy’s relationship is at the film’s heart, touching on themes of sacrifice, survival, and what it means to be human.
It may be the seventh film of the Alien franchise, but this critic would argue it’s easily the third-best of the entire series, with Aliens still holding the top spot. The fear factor is on high alert, with many scares to keep viewers anxious and engaged. Alien: Romulus does well in being its own story while leaning into the relevant themes that made the first and second films more than just forgettable space operas.
Alien: Romulus opens nationwide in theaters on Aug. 16, 2024. You can watch the trailer here.
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