Alien: Romulus— the science fiction horror film directed by Fede Alvarez that is set to be released on the 16th of August, 2024. It marks Fede Alvarez’s directorial return after ‘Don’t Breathe’ and the Evil Dead series. This film acts as a middle child connecting the dots – chronologically speaking – between the universe’s first Alien horror film ‘Alien’ and its second sequel, ‘Aliens’.
Synopsis
In cinematic planning set in the year 2142, ‘Primal’ is focused on the younger audience with its casting choice, which includes colonists who are looking to escape the dull life of working under the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Many young people come aboard ‘Romulus’, a spaceship ever so powerful in history, but based on a false sense of tranquility and wealth. Things are not what they seem aboard ‘Romulus’, they realize they have been chasing shadows when the harsh truth of the alien civilization is uncovered. The station is in fact home to Xenomorph, a terrifying creature. As it begins picking them off one by one, the colonists have no option but to explore the twists and turns of the alien station where they have the odds stacked against them along with their own self-doubts.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Fede Alvarez
- Writers: Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues
- Producers: Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Walter Hill
Main Cast:
- Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine
- David Jonsson as Andy, the synthetic stepbrother of Rain
- Archie Renaux as Tyler
- Isabela Merced as Kay
- Spike Fearn as Bjorn
- Aileen Wu as Navarro
Production and Release
The shooting started in March 2023 at Origo Studios in Budapest, Hungary. In pursuit of capturing the original tone of the films, Álvarez preferred the use of a limited amount of CGI so as to give preference to tense situations and use of practical effects. While this film was originally going to be released on streaming service Hulu, it did just have a theatrical release on August 16 2024.
Critical Reception
Alien: Romulus has so far proved to be to competent in obtaining positive reviews, boasting an impressive 75% out of a 100% ratio on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes. Álvarez’s direction has been largely credited for providing a pivot with the franchise previously gory aspects as noted by The Times publication which stated that the film recalls the life cycle of xenomorphs and combines it with other forms of horror.
Though, certain reviewers like the Atlantic tend to disagree and believe that even though the film have certain scares, “the film is a bit more like a nostalgia compilation rather than it being a new angle.”
Themes and Analysis
Amongst several aspects of the film are of primary concern over the film, the depiction of adolescence as a hardened group, corporatism and their primal fear of the unidentified are some of them.
The Xenomorph in interestingly connected to the young colonists’oppression as it is their relationship with the faceless Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Again, this has overtones with more general social issues like exploring the theme of exploitation and innocence lost. The story is further complicated by the introduction of a synthetic character, Andy, who poses questions of identity and fidelity in the relations of humans and androids.
Conclusion
Aliens: Romulus is a part of the revitalised Alien franchise showcasing some elements of the very first series contextualised in a modern world i.e. It has the elements of horror, thrill and backstory. Although the film is set in a known world, it presents new characters and groups of characters with new plots that cover the expansion of the universe appealing to old guards or new comers alike.
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