The much awaited addition to 20th Century Fox’s acclaimed Alien movies has finally arrived and full disclosure: movies dripping with gore and alien entrails usually aren’t my go-to for a night at the movies. In fact, I’ve only seen bits and pieces of the Alien franchise over the years—enough to recognize a Xenomorph in a lineup, but not enough to call myself a true fan. So when I sat down to watch Alien: Romulus, I was curious to see how it would hold up on its own, especially to someone like me who’s not steeped in the lore. 

I’m here to assure you that this movie can be enjoyed whether you’ve seen every Alien film or none of them. Trust me… I talked to some die-hard superfans—yes, they geeked out, and I nodded my head in agreement to everything they said. You call it lying, I call it self-defense from a nerd ambush.

More than that though, this film in many ways does NOT disappoint, and I can confidently say that Fede Álvarez continues to bring his horror expertise and fear of the female reproductive system to the screen. Undeniably, the most enjoyable part of this movie is how it fuses modern visual effects and unique shooting techniques with elements of the older Alien movies that people know, love and resonate with. This allows for the film to cohesively fit into the timeline of the Alien franchise, while simultaneously setting itself apart as a modern visual spectacle. It’s rare that a film made today is able to ignite the feelings associated with watching early sci-fi from the 1970s and 1980s while still offering a variety of practical and virtual effects that can remind you of how far this genre of filmmaking has come. All of this combined allows for a film that does a great job at welcoming viewers into a world that nobody really wants to be welcomed into. That is powerful! 

Along with great visuals also comes a really fascinating story. Romulus follows a group of young, rebellious space colonists who, while in search of a better life, find themselves scavenging a derelict space station for equipment that can aid them in their mission to freedom and Vitamin D. They did all that for sunshine and they could’ve just watched LeBron James highlights. In all seriousness, the group finds themselves in too deep after discovering the existence of the world’s most dangerous creature onboard the ship. The film follows their escape attempt and the glorious journey of Rain Carradine, played by the excellent Cailee Spaeney. 

When it comes to the performances in Alien: Romulus, the cast delivered across the board with a level of conviction that kept the tension high. Every actor seemed fully committed to the grim, claustrophobic world they inhabited. I will add that it’s always a pleasure watching Cailee Spaeney on screen. She particularly stood out in the third act, bringing a new level of intensity to her role that added an emotional anchor and badass approach to the chaos unfolding on screen. Her performance was both vulnerable and fierce, making her character’s journey one of the most compelling aspects of the film.

On the flip side, the dialogue didn’t always rise to the same level. While the cast did their best with what they were given, the script occasionally let them down. Rain Carradine’s character, in particular, was saddled with some cheesy one-liners at the beginning that I wouldn’t say felt out of place, but more so didn’t achieve what they were hoping for considering the tone of the film. Her love for Andy is interestingly written, especially considering the audience knows very few details about their struggles prior to their introduction on screen. There were also moments where the dialogue was overly heavy-handed, pulling the viewer out of the immersive experience. Despite these minor shortcomings, the actors’ commitment helped to smooth over some of the script’s rougher edges. I was happy to see that the approach to writing diverse characters with unique struggles and motivations, evident in earlier Alien movies, holds up in Alien: Romulus. This is by far another reason why people are viewing this as a hit.

Alien: Romulus explores the well known themes of survival of the fittest, human resilience, and the monstrous nature of both the Xenomorphs and the people confronting them, echoing the existential dread that has been a trademark of the Alien franchise. However, it’s important to understand that this film adds a layer of introspection, focusing on the psychological toll of trauma, isolation and the moral compromises made in order to survive. Unlike the raw terror of the original Alien (1979) or the predominantly action-packed intensity of Aliens (1986), Romulus is slightly more introspective, dissecting the fine line between humanity and monstrosity. While previous films emphasized the physical threat of the Xenomorphs, Romulus generally assumes that the audience already fears the alien and furthermore suggests that the real danger might lie within the human characters and what they’re willing to become in the face of insurmountable fear. This thematic shift adds depth to the franchise and its future, even if it doesn’t always hit the mark as effectively as its predecessors. 

I’m not going to sit here and say this is the greatest sci-fi horror, or the best in the franchise. It isn’t filled with as much action as other Alien films, and doesn’t get to the meat and potatoes of the film as quickly or conventionally as I would’ve liked. However, I will say that Álvarez’s decisions with this one can be justified. While you may have wanted another body or two ripped to shreds by the Xenomorphs, it’s worth noting that the film does make you think – when you’re not being jumpscared at least. Furthermore, it does these things while taking the audience on an adventure with the characters through a spaceship that seems familiar to Alien fans, but is still fresh for the eyes. 

But don’t you worry… this film gets NASTY. It’s filled with angst, jumpscares, a few uncomfortable scenes that truly have you squirming in your seat, and a whole bunch of new action for the Alien franchise. If you’re like me and are still warming up to films like this, don’t do what I did and watch it in the biggest IMAX cinema in your city. However, for every brave soul looking to get their slimy, vicious alien on, Alien: Romulus is an IMAX MUST WATCH!