Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Alvarez, is a prime example of what happens when a true fan takes the reins of a beloved franchise. The film is thoroughly entertaining, with a solid cast that delivers the same level of terror and suspense as its predecessors.

In Alien: Romulus, we are introduced to Rain, portrayed by the talented Cailee Spaeny, and her surrogate robot brother Andy, played by David Jonsson. Set in the year 2142, the story begins on Jackson’s Star—a gritty colony perpetually shrouded in darkness, where WY controls the mining industry and forces colonists into working forever. Rain has just been denied a travel permit to a sunlit planet, and a rude desk clerk informs her that she must work an additional five to six years despite having reached her quota. Refusing to accept defeat, Rain teams up with a group of young space colonizers, including Tyler, his sister Kay, Navarro, and Bjorn, to hatch a plan to escape Jackson’s Star. To complete the mission, they need Andy’s help to access corporate security codes. With the plan set and characters introduced, the stage is set for an intense journey.

Upon arrival, everything seems normal—until chaos erupts. Tyler, Andy, and Bjorn become trapped in a red room on a space station, where parasitic facehuggers are imprisoned behind glass. Predictably, the creatures break free almost simultaneously, wreaking havoc. Navarro and Rain rush to their aid (Kay stays behind due to her secret pregnancy to rest), but Navarro is attacked by an alien that suctions to her face. Despite their efforts to remove the alien, it’s already too late; the creature has grown inside Navarro, and in typical Alien fashion, it bursts through her chest, marking her the first to die. 

Alien: Romulus is a loving homage to the Alien franchise, with a well-paced narrative and plenty of jump scares. Just when you think the film will end predictably, the third act takes a turn, becoming disgusting, terrifying, and thrilling enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. The film’s commitment to practical effects over CGI is evident and pays off, as these effects shine throughout.

Cailee Spaeny delivers a grounded and nuanced performance as Rain, bearing a striking resemblance to Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. It’s hard not to wonder if Millie was considered for the role due to their similarity, but Spaeny holds her own as the final girl. The sound design beautifully complements the film, enhancing its eerie atmosphere; some moments are so quiet that you can hear yourself breathing.

My only critique? After the wild and intense third act, the film opts for a happy ending that feels a bit too safe. Perhaps I’m biased, having recently watched all of the Alien films in a row, but it seems to be a recurring theme in the series that the alien never truly “dies.” There’s always room for a sequel.

Despite this, audiences will undoubtedly enjoy the jump scares, and just when you think it’s over, the film manages to surprise you.

Pros: Jump scares, well-paced, strong leads
Cons: Ending plays it too safe