Cover Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine and David Jonsson as Andy in ‘Alien: Romulus’ (Photo: 20th Century Studios)
Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine and David Jonsson as Andy in ‘Alien: Romulus’ (Photo: 20th Century Studios)
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Critics are saying that ‘Alien: Romulus’ is the best in the franchise since ‘Aliens’ so here’s what you need to know about the film
In 1979, the first of the Alien franchise broke box office records with its opening, becoming one of the greatest and most influential sci-fi horror films in history.
Helmed by Ridley Scott, the film’s premise was centred on “a haunted house film set in a spaceship” and praised for introducing a new species of deadly face-hugging and chest-bursting horrors that’ll lurk in one’s darkest fears long after the film is over.
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The sci-fi horror film spawned books, video games, merchandise, and a franchise of films: Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien Resurrection (1997), the Alien vs. Predator spin-offs (2004 and 2007 respectively), prequels Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017), and on August 16, 2024, Alien: Romulus.
Already, Alien: Romulus is receiving rave reviews, with critics saying that it’s the best film in the franchise since Aliens, hailing it as an improvement over its predecessor. Before you scramble to buy your movie tickets, here’s what you need to know about the movie that took the Alien franchise back to its roots.
A plot that’s a familiar formula, yet fresh
Above ‘Alien: Romulus’ director Fede Álvarez and the man who started it all, Ridley Scott, at the ‘Alien: Romulus’ premiere (Photo: Instagram/@alienanthology)
‘Alien: Romulus’ director Fede Álvarez and the man who started it all, Ridley Scott, at the ‘Alien: Romulus’ premiere (Photo: Instagram/@alienanthology)
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Directed by Fede Álvarez, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues, both known for the 2013 remake of Evil Dead, Alien: Romulus pays homage to the original Alien with a plot that’s a familiar formula–right down to the set design and pieces, music scores, and the beat of storytelling.
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The authenticity is mind-blowing and yet, they’ve managed to up the ante more by elevating the all-time classic horror with fresh, new twists, coupled with an impressive use of practical effects and CGI. If Álvarez and Sayagues’ repertoire in horror thriller filmmaking is anything to go by, you better hang on to the edge of your seats because you’re in for a suspenseful return of your worst childhood nightmare.
At the time of writing, Alien: Romulus has an 82 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
“In space, no one can hear you scream”
Above Monstrous creatures lurk in the dark chambers of the space horror thriller, ‘Alien: Romulus’ (Photo: 20th Century Studios)
Monstrous creatures lurk in the dark chambers of the space horror thriller, ‘Alien: Romulus’ (Photo: 20th Century Studios)
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Be prepared to experience a retro-futuristic atmosphere as Alien: Romulus will take you back to the 80s. The action-packed interquel takes place between the events of the 1979 Alien movie and the 1986 Aliens film and once again, it’ll take you on a terrorising hunt in a claustrophobic, dark abyss–except, the Xenomorph, which moves in unfamiliar ways, is the grotesque, apex predator and you’re the prey.
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The shadows won’t allow you to see much, just enough to notice a glimpse of an acid-blood-filled, menacing creature hiding in the darkness. It’s unfathomable how it’s capable of being anywhere and everywhere all at once and when you find yourself face-to-face with one… there’s no point in screaming.
In space, no one can hear you scream.
The characters and the people behind them
Above L-R: Archie Renaux, Cailee Spaeny, Spike Fearn, and Fede Álvarez at the UK gala premiere of ‘Alien: Romulus’ (Photo: Instagram/@alienanthology)
L-R: Archie Renaux, Cailee Spaeny, Spike Fearn, and Fede Álvarez at the UK gala premiere of ‘Alien: Romulus’ (Photo: Instagram/@alienanthology)
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The cast that brought this terrible tale to life through their space-travelling characters is a team of rising stars.
Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) leads a group of young space colonisers tasked by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation to steal high-grade equipment from a derelict research station, the Renaissance. She’s joined by her android brother Andy (David Jonsson), her ex-boyfriend Tyler (Archie Renaux), Tyler’s pregnant sister Kay (Isabela Merced), Tyler and Kay’s cousin Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and Bjorn’s girlfriend Navarro (Aileen Wu).
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They learn the hard way that they’re not alone. The Renaissance is infested with facehuggers and a hive of Xenomorphs, and the equipment is a cryonic chamber with frozen specimens that they inadvertently revive. As the monsters go on a murderous rampage and the attacks jump at them from every nook and cranny, Rain channels her inner Ellen Ripley in a valiant fight for survival.
Above The trailer for ‘Alien: Romulus’
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Lainey was the Digital Director of Tatler Malaysia. When not whiling away the hours watching documentaries, the latest K-drama, or reruns of Friends, she can be found indulging her wanderlust by stalking travel platforms or feeding her obsession with music. She loves animals, running, all things social media, a good conversation over coffee or soju or wine (often rambling on if nobody pulls the brakes on her), and is an avid fan of bursting-at-the-seams laughter.
