Alien: Romulus is now streaming and it is also here to remind us that the Xenomorph remains one of the most terrifying creatures in the history of cinema. Not that we could have possibly forgotten anyway.
Alien (1979) is way more than a film, it's an icon that redefined and set new standards for the sci-fi/horror genre, all while exploring fears- isolation, survival, and the unknown which are primordial and even more terrifying than the xenomorph itself.
Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), a strong female character way before this label came to be, brought raw strength to the screens. Almost half a century ago, the film was a lesson in diversity. A woman, a black man, who was not the first to die, and even a cat, Jonesy, who escaped the common fate shared by pets in horror movies. Brilliant, right?
Now, Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead, Don't Breathe) and produced by Ridley Scott, debuts on Disney+ and Hulu on November 21, 2024, with the promise to go back to the roots of the series, while adding something new.
Alien: Romulus—A return to the roots of terror
Alien: Romulus promises a dive back into the horror that made 1979's Alien so iconic. The storyline seems simple, yet, those who know the franchise, will surely suspect nothing will be indeed as simple as it looks at first glance.
A group of young space colonizers is seeking resources in a station that seems to have been abandoned. As expected, this apparent routine mission turns into a struggle for survival when they face the legendary xenomorph.
Álvarez has been widely praised for capturing the essence of that psychological and claustrophobic terror trademark of the first film. Led by Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced, the cast helps set the mood by delivering performances that amplify the sense of danger and despair—turning up more than a notch of the emotional impact each choice causes.
With detailed settings, high-quality visual effects, and a soundtrack that amplifies every moment of suspense, Alien: Romulus connects the franchise's legacy to the modern audience, creating an experience that honors the past without failing to innovate.
Exploring the Alien franchise
After the impact of Alien, more films came, each one an opportunity to focus on new themes and different perspectives while deepening the universe that Ridley Scott created.
With Aliens (1986), James Cameron's direction style took the story toward action, and we witnessed Ripley having to deal with an infestation of xenomorphs in a colony. Alien 3 (1992), under David Fincher's direction, was set in an isolated penal colony, where Ripley had to deal with loss, isolation, and the moral complexities of survival.
In Alien: Resurrection (1997), the story moved forward, set 200 years after previous events and introducing a cloned Ripley. This major shift provided an excellent opportunity to explore themes of bioethics and identity.
In Prometheus (2012), on the other hand, the shift was to the past. Ridley Scott decided to investigate the xenomorphs' origins and the mysteries of the "Engineers," a storyline that continued in Alien: Covenant (2017).
Now, we can watch Alien: Romulus, while we wait for the already-announced next chapter.
What are audiences and critics saying?
Audiences and critics seem to agree that Alien: Romulus succeeded, highlighting that Fede Álvarez has captured the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere that characterized the original and provided something fresh. Among the cast, the emotional depth brought to scenes of constant danger by Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced was also widely recognized. Alien: Romulus offers the chance to relive terror while exploring new possibilities within this universe.
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Available for streaming now
Alien: Romulus is now available on Disney+ and Hulu, along with all other films in the franchise. Longtime fans and newcomers can now catch up with the entire saga while waiting for the new chapter of this story to unfold next summer with Alien: Earth.
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