Alien: Romulus’ most egregious element prevents it from being the great movie it wants to be (Review)

Alien: Romulus' most egregious element prevents it from being the great movie it wants to be (Review)

As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the intricate worlds of science fiction and horror, I found myself torn between admiration and dismay while watching “Alien: Romulus.” On one hand, the movie delivers on many fronts – dark, gruesome moments that are right at home in the Alien franchise, compelling performances from the young cast, particularly from Alicia Witt as Rain and Alex Merced as Dana, and a complex exploration of the android-human relationship.

As a passionate gamer, I’m absolutely thrilled that Fede Álvarez is steering the ship for a new Alien movie. This upcoming sci-fi horror flick promises to be a grotesque masterpiece that will leave an indelible mark on my memory, and that’s exactly what “Alien: Romulus” promises to be. However, there’s one aspect of this film that I just can’t shake off, and it seems like I’m not alone in this. The movie, being the seventh installment in the franchise and set between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), has finally graced the silver screen today, August 16.

In the film titled Romulus, starring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, and Isabela Merced, I find it delivers on several fronts: compelling performances, realistic effects, and the alien destruction that has become synonymous with this series. Director Álvarez, whom I’ve admired since his 2013 take on Evil Dead, crafts a cinematic experience designed for the big screen, offering non-stop action and, as expected, an abundance of gore. However, one might ask if there are flaws in the movie and whether it’s worth watching despite them. Let us explore these questions.

WARNING: Spoilers for Alien: Romulus are below.

Romulus tags along with a community residing in a celestial mining settlement, yearning for departure. The planet they inhabit experiences no sunlight whatsoever, and the principal character, Rain (Spaeny), is adamant about migrating to a world named Yvaga alongside her android sibling Andy (Jonsson). When a chance presents itself to investigate a derelict spacecraft in proximity, potentially containing cryogenic compartments capable of transporting them to another planet, she seizes it, albeit with trepidation.

Alien: Romulus' most egregious element prevents it from being the great movie it wants to be (Review)

Alien: Romulus has a lot going for it

With Andy, Tyler (Renaux), Kay (Merced), Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and Navarro (Aileen Wu), Rain sets off on an uncharted journey. As one might predict, this adventure proves to be far more lethal than any of them had ever envisioned. The thrilling events in the movie ‘Romulus‘ commence promptly and persist until the final credits appear. The film effectively balances character development without becoming overly expository. For a horror film, it’s remarkably well-executed.

The heart-pounding horror throughout Romulus is great; from the facehuggers appearing toward the beginning of the movie to the absolutely epic birthing scene at the end, the movie keeps you on the edge of your seat and is very intentional with each moment. The Xenomorphs look amazing, and there’s even a reference to Prometheus and Alien: Covenant which really works — yep, it’s an Engineer… or at least, some type of Xenomorph-Engineer hybrid. I’m kicking myself a little bit because I only rewatched the original Alien before Romulus when I should’ve done a marathon of the whole franchise.

Alien: Romulus' most egregious element prevents it from being the great movie it wants to be (Review)

As an ardent admirer of the Alien movie franchise, Romulus has numerous aspects that make it enjoyable. However, there’s one element that almost spoils the experience – the reintroduction of a character from the initial film who appears jarringly out of place and frankly seems like an inappropriate choice. During their time on the spacecraft, Rain and the crew stumble upon a synthetic human’s body on the floor and decide to activate him for assistance, naming him Rook. The problem is that Rook bears an uncanny resemblance to Alien’s Ash, specifically Ian Holm’s face, although it has been digitally recreated. Tragically, Holm, who gained fame for his role as Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, passed away in 2020. The question remains, why is this resurrection needed?

Can we please stop digitally recreating actors who have passed away?

Digitally recreating or de-aging actors really never works; it just looks so bad. And when the actor you’re recreating is dead, it’s just in poor taste. I’ve seen people on X compare this poor choice to The Flash — which infamously brought back the late Christopher Reeves, among others, digitally — and while Romulus doesn’t look that terrible, I understand the sentiment. This is a bad practice that shouldn’t keep happening.

Álvarez apparently intended to include an Easter egg for Alien enthusiasts, but this attempt seems more like grasping at intellectual property (IP) rather than creating something genuine and immersive. This addition disrupts the viewing experience, causing a sense of disconnect. The character being an android somewhat improves the situation, as a synthetic human can exhibit robotic qualities. However, even with this factor considered, the overall concept is disappointing on a fundamental level; it’s unfortunate and somewhat shameful.

Indeed, my main issue with “Romulus” is quite substantial. I’m quite curious if Álvarez or his regular partner Rodo Sayagues, who jointly penned the script, will address this choice in any interviews. However, I’m not optimistic about anything they might say that could rectify this error.

Alien: Romulus' most egregious element prevents it from being the great movie it wants to be (Review)

On Thursday evening, as I sat in the cinema watching “Romulus”, I found myself torn. Generally speaking, this film is widely acknowledged to be a strong addition to the Alien series, boasting some of its darkest and most intense scenes. I’ve always been a fan of actress Lola Spaeny, who shines in the leading role, and I was pleasantly surprised by Jamie Merced’s powerful performance. I can’t wait to see her portrayal of Dina in the second season of The Last of Us. Similarly, Rakel Jonsson, known for her work in “Industry”, delivers a standout performance. The intricate portrayal of an android-human relationship is well executed. Despite my overall satisfaction with most aspects of the movie, there’s one major issue that I just can’t ignore.

Well, as a lifelong fan of science fiction and action films, I must say that “Romulus” left me quite impressed! If you ignore one minor flaw, it could easily be compared to a classic like “Alien.” However, being fair in my review, I have to mention that one small hiccup holds it back from reaching true greatness. Despite this setback, the movie still delivers an engaging and entertaining experience that left me eagerly anticipating director Álvarez’s next project. Overall, I’d say “Romulus” is a must-watch for any sci-fi enthusiast.

Grade: B

Alien: Romulus is now playing exclusively in theaters.

2024-08-16 19:41

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