Film Review: Alien Romulus - A Modern Masterpiece

LEVIATHAN REVIEWS: Alien: Romulus has gloriously entered Ridley Scott's cinematic universe as perhaps the best incarnation of the franchise since Aliens in 1986, the film masterfully crosses the divide between the unknowable fear of the original and the combative action film of its sequel. The film is a must-see for fans of the iconic xenomorph simply for its compelling universe building alone - giving a brilliantly succinct introduction to the Weyland-Yutani corporation and fleshing out the already vast universe of the films on a deeply human level. Every single character within the film is played expertly, not least of all the dysfunctional android 'Andy' (Played by David Jonsson) who switches between programmed personas almost beautifully to provide a thoroughly entertaining, and at times heartbreaking, insight into the artificial personalities which have long dominated the franchise. David Jonsson is able to artfully weave between the cold, calculating machine reminiscent of Ian Holm's 'Ash' in Alien and the softer, brotherly affection he has for the protagonist Rain (Portrayed by Cailee Spaeny). Even the most egregiously off-putting characters in the film have their motivations seamlessly interwoven into this novel take on the franchise, from Bjorn's (Spike Fearn) trauma-induced prejudice towards all things synthetic to the reintroduction of a seemingly familiar face in the Romulus Station's science officer Rook. To avoid delving into unnecessary spoilers all I'll say is that, despite the moral implications of Hollywood's latest fascination with digital necromancy, Rook leaves viewers with a satisfying and entertaining farewell to one of the franchises seminal figures.

From the films stunning opening sequence - which is guaranteed to resonate with fans of the original, regardless of their relation to the extended universe, to the extremely personal (And in some cases, deeply unsettling) insights into the pure power of the 'perfect organism' the films cinematography will undoubtedly inspire filmmakers both novel and professional. Each shot has you glancing desperately behind the main characters in an attempt to predict the next attack, while the xenomorph's figure is intimately disguised within the stations backdrop. The set design remains truly centered around the retro-futuristic style of the original. As a viewer of Alien: Covenant who was intrigued, albeit disappointed, with the potential of modern VFX technology to encapsulate this most fearsome of horror movie creatures, Alien: Romulus genuinely understands what the xenomorph both represents on a psychological and biological level to great success. I would certainly be remiss if I did not mention the haunting utilisation of the Facehuggers, to be expected when the films poster is so centered around one, who are treated as equally terrifying in lethality to the xenomorph and are crafted from all the primal arachnophobia you can conjure. The scenes in which they swarm the station make the viewer feel genuine panic - if a movie could gently run its fingers up your spine and say "Don't panic", then this is that movie. Finally, the film concludes with perhaps the most thoroughly disturbing incarnation of the Alien that audiences have ever seen, making you begin to truly appreciate that this is the Alien's universe and we're all just living (or dying) in it.

While I am hesitant to 'give away the game' as it were, Alien: Romulus manages what countless iterations of the universe have failed to do, and present a thoroughly terrifying horror movie centered around a much-beloved franchise, while still presenting an authentic and entertaining piece of modern cinema. Leviathan's Verdict: 5/5.

Published: 22/09/2024

Author: Will Morgan

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