Alien: Romulus (Full Movie 2024)
Alien: Romulus (2024): A Terrifying Return to Form for the Franchise
Introduction to Alien: Romulus
Released on August 16, 2024, Alien: Romulus is a sci-fi horror film directed by Fede Álvarez, known for Don’t Breathe and the 2013 Evil Dead remake. Set between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), this standalone "midquel" in the Alien franchise follows a group of young space colonists who encounter the deadly Xenomorphs while scavenging a derelict space station. Starring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, the film blends practical effects, intense horror, and nostalgic callbacks to deliver a thrilling, if derivative, addition to the series. With a global box office of $350.9 million and an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s been hailed as one of the best Alien films since Aliens.
Plot Summary
Set in 2142 on the sunless mining colony of Jackson’s Star, Alien: Romulus centers on Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny), a young woman trapped in a grueling life under Weyland-Yutani’s exploitative labor system. With her adopted android brother Andy (David Jonsson), Rain joins a group of desperate colonists—Tyler (Archie Renaux), his pregnant sister Kay (Isabela Merced), cousin Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and pilot Navarro (Aileen Wu)—to scavenge cry pods from an abandoned space station, the Romulus/Remus, to escape to a better planet. Their plan unravels when they awaken Xenomorphs and discover the station’s dark secrets, including experiments tied to the franchise’s mythology. The group faces facehuggers, chestbursters, and a new Xenomorph variant in a relentless fight for survival, with Rain and Andy’s bond providing the emotional core.
Strengths of the Film
Gripping Performances
Cailee Spaeny shines as Rain, channeling a Ripley-esque transformation from vulnerability to resilience, making her a compelling lead. David Jonsson steals the show as Andy, the glitchy android whose shifting directives—from protective brother to corporate tool—add moral complexity. Their sibling-like chemistry grounds the film, with Jonsson’s nuanced performance earning praise as a standout. The supporting cast, while less developed, delivers solid performances, with Isabela Merced and Archie Renaux adding emotional weight despite limited character depth.
Stunning Visuals and Practical Effects
Álvarez’s commitment to practical effects, inspired by the original films, brings the Xenomorphs to life with terrifying realism. The creature design, blending H.R. Giger’s iconic biomechanical aesthetic with new elements like digitigrade legs and a sleek dome, is a highlight. The Romulus/Remus station, with its grimy, retro-futuristic industrial look, captures the franchise’s weathered aesthetic, enhanced by Benjamin Wallfisch’s score, which weaves in themes from Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner. A zero-gravity acid sequence and a temperature-regulated facehugger chase are inventive, heart-pounding set pieces that showcase Álvarez’s horror expertise.
Tense, Claustrophobic Horror
Alien: Romulus recaptures the suffocating terror of Ridley Scott’s Alien, using the station’s tight corridors and flickering lights to build suspense. Álvarez balances slow-burn dread with gory action, making facehuggers more menacing than ever. The film’s pacing, while occasionally uneven, keeps viewers on edge, with critics noting its ability to deliver “big juicy frights” and “popcorn-dropping scares.” Its return to the franchise’s haunted-house-in-space roots is a major strength, avoiding the philosophical overreach of Prometheus and Covenant.
Weaknesses and Critiques
Overreliance on Nostalgia
The film’s heavy use of callbacks—direct quotes like “Get away from her, you bitch” and references to Alien, Aliens, and even Alien³—feels pandering to some critics. These “fan service” moments, including a controversial CGI resurrection of a deceased actor’s likeness, often break immersion, with the digital character’s “janky” appearance drawing ire for its uncanny valley effect. While updated for home video releases, this choice remains divisive, with some calling it “ghoulish” and others defending its narrative fit.
Lack of Originality
Despite its thrills, Romulus struggles to carve its own identity, feeling like a “greatest hits” compilation of the franchise. The plot mirrors the original Alien too closely, with a familiar structure of colonists stumbling into a Xenomorph-infested station. Critics argue that Álvarez plays it too safe, missing the bold innovation of Prometheus or Alien: Resurrection. The third act, while gruesome, introduces a new creature that feels derivative of past entries and relies on subpar CGI, undermining the film’s practical effects.
Underdeveloped Characters and Logic Issues
Beyond Rain and Andy, the supporting characters are thinly written, serving as “alien fodder” with little depth. The rapid gestation of Xenomorphs—growing from chestburster to adult in minutes—strains believability, a point of contention for fans who find it inconsistent with the franchise’s established biology. Additionally, some plot points, like Andy’s software upgrades and downgrades, lack logical coherence, and the film’s finale lingers too long, diluting its impact.
Reception and Impact
Alien: Romulus has been a commercial and critical success, grossing $350.9 million worldwide and earning an 80% Tomatometer score from 395 reviews. Critics praise its return to horror roots, with Variety calling it “one of the best Alien sequels” and The Daily Beast noting its streak of “no terrible Alien movie” (excluding Alien vs. Predator). However, reviews are mixed on its nostalgia, with Inverse calling it “a greatest hits mixtape” and Vulture lamenting its lack of ambition. Audience sentiment on X echoes this, with users like @FreddyInSpace praising its “epic scale” and “terrifying Xenomorphs,” while others criticize its lack of originality. The film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects and topped physical media sales charts in December 2024. A sequel is in development.
Who Should Watch Alien: Romulus?
Alien: Romulus is a must-see for fans of the Alien franchise craving a return to the gritty, terrifying vibe of the first two films. It’s ideal for horror enthusiasts who enjoy practical effects, intense set pieces, and a strong lead performance. Casual viewers looking for a standalone sci-fi thriller will find it accessible, though those sensitive to gore or expecting bold new ideas may be disappointed. Watch it in theaters or on Disney+/Hulu for maximum impact, especially in IMAX, as Hideo Kojima noted its immersive analog aesthetic.
Conclusion
Alien: Romulus (2024) is a thrilling, well-crafted addition to the Alien saga, blending heart-pounding horror with nostalgic reverence for its predecessors. Fede Álvarez delivers a visually stunning, tension-filled experience anchored by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson’s standout performances. While its reliance on fan service and lack of originality keep it from surpassing Alien or Aliens, it’s a worthy successor that recaptures the franchise’s primal fear. Despite a divisive third act and some narrative flaws, it’s a satisfying, slimy ride for fans and newcomers alike. Stream it or catch it on Blu-ray to experience the Xenomorphs’ acid-soaked terror in all its glory.