Film review: Alien: Romulus stands as a sleek and chilling addition to the sci-fi movie franchise
David Jonsson as Andy in Alien: Romulus. Picture: 20th Century Studios
- Alien: Romulus
- ★★★★☆
- Cinematic release
The groundbreaking series started in 1979 with Ridley Scott’s iconic science fiction film, which redefined the space movie genre with its dark and horror-filled atmosphere.
Over the years, the franchise has expanded to include the Predator series, and the latest instalment, (15a), is the ninth film in the saga.
Set between the first two films, it takes place in a harsh mining colony devoid of natural sunlight, plagued by viruses, and fraught with the risk of lung damage from working underground.
The film follows Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her adopted brother Andy (David Jonsson) as they seek to escape the colony and start anew on a planet with natural sunlight.
When their friends, led by Tyler (Archie Renaux), discover an abandoned space station nearby, they hatch a plan to scavenge cryo chambers to facilitate their journey to a safer planet.
Andy, a synthetic AI, is essential for accessing the ship, but they stumble upon more than just cryo chambers onboard - they discover hundreds of facehuggers waiting to emerge.
It is not long before chests burst, and far greater monsters materialise.
pays homage to the first two films while deftly introducing a new, compelling hero in Rain, poised to resonate with younger audiences.
The film raises ethical questions as Andy’s character undergoes transformation.While delivering plenty of scary and tense moments, the film feels slightly less intense than its predecessors. The final part of the film may spark differing opinions, but overall, it stands as a sleek and chilling addition to the sci-fi movie franchise.
