Rain (Cailee Spaeny) lives and works on a planet where darkness covers the entire surface. Employed by Wayland Industries, she has spent much of her life working under challenging conditions. After years of harbouring hopes and dreams of leaving the planet with her android brother, Andy (David Jonsson), and living somewhere where the sun shines brightly, Rain receives bad news upon completing her long-term work contract. Now, instead of being able to leave, the Wayland company has extended her work contract at the last minute, and Rain will have to continue working longer than anticipated.
Fortunately, Rain is not alone in feeling fed up with working on the dreadful planet. A group of fellow workers and close friends of Rain also share her dream of escaping and have devised a daring plan. They aim to take over an empty ship equipped with several sleep pods, allowing them to travel to a destination of freedom. However, for the escape plan to succeed, the team needs Andy to provide his skills as an android to access the ship’s computers for smoother operation and travel. Rain, showing remarkable courage, manages to escape the planet with the group. However, their relief is short-lived as they soon encounter significant challenges. They discover that what they thought was an empty spaceship is actually a dilapidated space station. This station holds a mysterious past and a threat that could potentially destroy not just them but the entire universe. Will Rain, Andy, and the crew find a way to escape the station before it’s too late?
Alien: Romulus is part of the Alien franchise and is set between the movies Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). The film’s skilled director, Fede Álvarez, is known for his work in films like Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe (2016). I’m proud to say this feels like a worthy sequel to the original Alien, which I consider a sci-fi horror masterpiece. Alien: Romulus’ narrative and visual elements pay homage to the original, evoking a sense of nostalgia for long-term fans of the franchise.
I want to express my deep satisfaction with Fede Álvarez’s work in bringing new ideas to a beloved film franchise. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes, staying true to the original through the storyline and practical effects. The planets, ships, corridors, and action sequences all look incredible. The Alien creatures are fantastic, and viewers will again be gripped with fear. The score by Benjamin Wallfisch and the sound effects are flawless. Alien: Romulus is a great experience for those looking to escape to another world and time.
While I enjoyed most of the film’s plot, I was slightly disappointed with how the finale tried to connect the dots with references to past Alien titles such as Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. For some viewers, this might require a rewatch of these films and other past titles in the franchise to understand the finer details fully.
Cailee Spaeny, in the role of Rain, and David Jonsson, in Andy, were the standout performances, and these likeable characters were well-acted. While their characters were highly likable, unfortunately, the other characters in the group were forgettable. They often make poor choices and spend much time arguing over their newfound situation.
Overall, Alien: Romulus presents a refreshing take on the popular franchise, offering a unique storyline and compelling new lead characters. The film successfully connects to past instalments, but I must admit that there is some minor complexity in tying together all the details from the previous Alien titles. However, the sci-fi world presented here is outstanding and provides a beautiful mix of action, horror, and escapism. The film’s visuals are also remarkable, reminiscent of the original Alien films, and the soundtrack and effects are genuinely praiseworthy. Despite some flaws in the storyline, Alien: Romulus provides an excellent film experience that captivates you.
Alien Romulus (2024) is Now Available in Australian Cinemas!
8.9/10
18th September 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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