Alien Romelus: A Chilling Yet Familiar Entry in the Franchise

Alien: Romulus pulls off a nerve-rattling return to form, grounding its horror in tight corridors, flickering lights, and relentless dread. Fede Álvarez, best known for his work in the horror genre, understands exactly what makes the Alien franchise so iconic. With this installment, he channels the claustrophobic terror of the original film and the relentless action of Aliens to craft a chilling experience that mostly delivers.

From the opening scenes, this movie builds a haunting atmosphere that doesn’t let up. The practical effects shine here, offering tactile terror that CGI-heavy modern horror often lacks. Facehuggers are more grotesque and squirm-inducing than ever, and the Xenomorph’s return is as menacing as fans could hope for. The cinematography is sharp and deliberate, using shadow and silence to keep you constantly tense.

David Jonsson is a standout as Andy, anchoring the film with a grounded and emotive performance. Cailee Spaeny also holds her own in the action scenes, showing grit and vulnerability without becoming a cliché final girl. Unfortunately, most of the supporting cast feels underdeveloped. While the film nails tone and scares, it stumbles in creating characters you’re genuinely invested in. What elevated the original films was not just the horror but how deeply we cared for the people involved. Here, outside the leads, most are forgettable.

Alien: Romulus also leans a bit too heavily on fan service. References and callbacks to the earlier films are sprinkled throughout, sometimes cleverly, sometimes blatantly. While nostalgia can be powerful, it feels like the movie is holding back from carving out a bold new direction. The story hints at intriguing concepts, especially toward the end, but never fully commits to them.

That’s the biggest missed opportunity. The potential to expand the lore or introduce new mythos elements is there, yet it pulls back, opting for familiarity. This is undoubtedly a well-crafted entry in the franchise and one of the best-looking Alien films to date. But rather than reinventing the wheel, it plays it safe. It’s an effective scare machine, stylish and suspenseful, but just shy of greatness.