Alien: Romulus

Alien: Romulus. Directed by Fede Álvarez, produced by Ridley Scott, written by Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues and Dan O’Bannon, Now on general release.

Preview by Rob D.Tysall

If you're an Alien film fan then I’m sure you will love this new adventure set in between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). The film’s World Premier took place in Los Angeles on 12 August and released in the USA on 16 August 2024. It’s now on general release here in the UK.

It stars Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine and David Jonsson as her adoptive android Andy. I thought Cailee does a really good job playing this role, and hopefully she isn't going to be compared to Sigourney Weaver - Ripley in earlier Alien films. David Jonsson also gets it just right as the totally loyal and quite simple synthetic that Rain calls her brother. Jonsson then nails the re-booted version of Andy later in the story.

Other members of the cast include: Spike Fearn as Bjorn - a really dislikable character. I always think that if there's a character in a film that really bugs you - they are getting it right. So good acting from him. The acting from all the cast was faultless - Archie Renaux plays Tyler, Isabela Merced as Kay, Aileen Wu as Navarro, also, Robert Bobroczkyi (Rob Bob) as the 7ft 8in Offspring - top marks to whoever thought up this creature from your worst nightmares!

On to the story, and we see a team of young colonists break into what is most definitely the wrong space station (a Weyland-Yutani space probe) while scavenging for equipment that will help them in the future. However, they end up coming face to face with a picture of hell and brimstone that will take a terrible toll on these young people.

While you know in essence what's in store, the pace of the film gives the right amount of time for these young colonists to reveal their personalities and to get themselves into trouble. They know they shouldn’t be doing what they are doing but have little choice, the story flows really well and at a good pace with the suspense continually mounting.

All of the major action takes place on the Romulus & Remus space station and the film makers have succeeded in recreating that closed-in space you just can’t get away from. The set is similar to the original Nostromo creating that vibe of not being able to escape this nightmare. The special effects, scenes and excitement are excellent - and could not have been more realistic. The aliens are as terrifying as ever and the attack from the face-huggers when they swarm like huge spiders is brilliantly done.

For the characters the situation goes from bad to worse – and then, just when you think you’re through the worst – you discover that the most hideous is yet to come. But no spoilers, go see it for yourself!

Final thoughts, and while I don’t want to spoil your own viewing of this well-shot, well-acted extravaganza, you will, I’m sure, smile at some of the classic phrases mentioned through the action and also be pleasantly surprised at the guest appearance of one of the cast from an earlier Alien film!

Altogether I liked this film, giving it a high 8.5 out of 10, it’s a true push in the right direction of where to take future Alien films. I look forward to the new Alien TV show!