While exploring a derelict space station, a group of space colonisers comes face to face with a terrifying creature that threatens human existence.
ALIEN: ROMULUS. Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced and Aileen Wu. Directed by Fede Alvarez. Rated MA15+. Restricted. (Strong science fiction themes, blood and gore). 119 min.
Review by Peter W Sheehan
The film is an American science fiction horror movie, that is the seventh instalment in the 40year-old “Alien” franchise. Events take place between those depicted in “Alien” (1979), and those in “Aliens” (1986), seven years later.
The Director of the film (Fede Alvarez) co-wrote the film with Rodolfo Sayagues, and the events covered in the film are noticeably distinct from those in the previous films of the Alien franchise. Ridley Scott was the Director of the 1979 movie that began the series; and James Cameron directed the 1986 film, “Aliens”. Significantly, Fede Alvarez has used the special effects crew from “Aliens” (1986) to work on this film’s special effects. The movie is basically a stand-alone addition to the Alien franchise, and focuses on a new cast of characters, who live on a distant planet.
This movie is as violent as previous Alien movies, and its special effects evoke the emotional feel of the original 1979 Ridley Scott movie. The movie has not been directed for the squeamish at all, and it depends heavily on slasher-type scenarios. The cast of the movie, in relation to previous Alien movies, is relatively young. The group of youthful colonisers are largely ignorant of the realities of space, and the terrors that dark space can deliver, and the film marks a significant return to the horror of the original film, with AI (Artificial Intelligence) thrown in to heighten tension.
The film’s plot-line shows a group of young colonisers, who move into space to explore an abandoned space station, and they unwittingly become the prey of a savage xenomorph monster. Alvarez is a new Director for the franchise and he injects meaningful dialogue into powerful visual story-telling; in so doing, he compellingly explores the themes of isolation, discovery, and blends horror science fiction with psychological drama in an emotionally realistic way. Cast Members work assiduously to bring their characters to life; the design of the movie is very well crafted; and the special effects are sophisticated and impactful. The film provides compelling viewing, especially in the visual nature of its story-telling.
The movie is an impressive addition to the Alien franchise. The xenomorph, and other vicious crawlies, which the colonisers disturb, are genuinely scary. The richness of the film’s dialogue provides an added dimension that characterises a film that is grounded solidly within the Horror Genre. The film is a spectacular horror movie that confronts the viewer almost at every disturbing turn. As the pace picks up, however, viewers need to realise they are not in for an easy ride.
Peter W Sheehan is an Associate of Jesuit Media