Alien: Romulus review

2024 - 8 - 14

Aliens, Horror, and Cailee Spaeny: The Return of a Classic!

Alien franchise - Cailee Spaeny - Fede Álvarez - horror films - movie reviews - Ridley Scott - sci-fi horror

Is 'Alien: Romulus' the refreshing twist the franchise needed? Find out how Cailee Spaeny and director Fede Álvarez take us on a nerve-jangling ride!

Get ready, Australia! The seventh entry in the legendary 'Alien' franchise, titled 'Alien: Romulus,' has landed and it's causing quite a stir. Directed by the creatively daring Fede Álvarez, known for films like 'Don’t Breathe,’ this new installment channels the horror of the original while packing in plenty of thrills and chills. It stars the talented Cailee Spaeny, who leads a stellar cast including David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, and Isabela Merced. Much like biting into a perfectly grilled kangaroo steak, 'Alien: Romulus' serves up both nostalgia and a hearty dose of horror that fans will relish.

However, as much as audiences are gushing over the retro vibes, there are moments when the plot gets a bit too absurd for its own good. Some critics have pointed out that while the movie has a grungy back-to-basics approach, it risks becoming a vehicle for pacing issues and questionable narrative choices. It’s the classic case of the more you love something, the more it annoys you when it falters. But it’s not all doom and gloom; the heart-pumping action sequences and emotional depth provided by Spaeny shine through the chaos, proving that the film has heart.

The grippingly familiar elements of ‘Alien: Romulus’ owe much to Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece, as well as to James Cameron's action-packed follow-up, 'Aliens.' It's a blend of horror and science fiction that has kept audiences glued to their seats for decades. The film leans into the gore interactively, allowing viewers to experience the claustrophobic terror of space once more. Alvarez’s passion for the franchise is palpable—he strikes the right balance between old-school fear and modern filmmaking.

Despite the mixed reviews, it’s clear this latest installment has its shining moments, presenting a fine example of fan service that may just reinvigorate the franchise. It's thrilling to see a newer generation of actors, led by Spaeny’s fierce performance, tackle the legacy of these iconic extraterrestrials. So, whether you’re a long-time Alien fanatic or a newcomer looking for some thrills, 'Alien: Romulus' serves up a dish abundant in horror with a side of laughs and nostalgia.

**Fun Fact 1:** Did you know the original 'Alien' film in 1979 was groundbreaking not just for its horror elements but also for how it depicted strong female characters? Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley became an icon for feminism in film!

**Fun Fact 2:** Fede Álvarez is known for his love of frights; before 'Alien: Romulus,' his horror film ‘Evil Dead’ brought back the slasher genre with a bang. Who knew he would elevate the Alien universe next? Stay tuned, Aussie fans, your next thrilling adventure awaits!

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Image courtesy of "Variety"

'Alien: Romulus' Review: A Good Video-Game Horror Ride (Variety)

Cailee Spaeny stars in the seventh entry in the franchise, directed by Fede Álvarez as a nerve-jangling greatest-hits throwback. It works.

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Alien: Romulus review – A semi-great sequel that becomes absurd ... (The Independent)

There is so much greatness here that it becomes all the more frustrating when this franchise reboot becomes a vehicle for illogical plotting and pointless ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Alien: Romulus review – grungy, back-to-basics instalment goes ... (The Guardian)

Fede Álvarez's effort is scrappier than Ridley Scott's grandiose efforts – but everyone involved would have been better employed working on something new.

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Image courtesy of "Los Angeles Times"

'Alien: Romulus' review: Retro sequel leans into horror goo (Los Angeles Times)

Led by an empathetic Cailee Spaeny in action-hero mode, the new sequel owes more to Ridley Scott's 1979 original than to other installments — for good and ...

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Image courtesy of "Mashable"

'Alien: Romulus' review: Fan Service Summer continues (Mashable)

Alongside these iconic extraterrestrials is a crackling ensemble cast, comprised of Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Aileen Wu, and ...

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

'Alien: Romulus' movie review: Familiar sci-fi squirms get a sheen of ... (USA TODAY)

Co-writer/director Fede Alvarez (“Don't Breathe”) clearly loves the original and James Cameron's action-packed 1986 sequel “Aliens.” The latest franchise ...

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Image courtesy of "IGN"

Alien: Romulus Review - IGN (IGN)

A back-to-basics approach to blockbuster horror boils everything fans love about the tonally-fluid franchise into one brutal, nerve-wracking experience.

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Image courtesy of "Screen International"

'Alien: Romulus': Review (Screen International)

Cailee Spaeny picks up the cudgel in this efficient, derivative addition to the Alien franchise.

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Image courtesy of "Empire"

Alien: Romulus (Empire)

Fede Alvarez directs the latest instalment in the Alien franchise. Read the Empire review now.

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Image courtesy of "Jordan Ruimy"

'Alien: Romulus' Reviews Underwhelm — 63 on Metacritic — World ... (Jordan Ruimy)

The review embargo has lifted on Fede Alvarez's “Alien: Romulus” and early consensus fits in well with my own sentiments: it's just alright.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Alien: Romulus review: This 'clever, gripping and sometimes awe ... (BBC News)

Since the first two films in the 1980s, the sci-fi horror series has been a very mixed bag. But this latest gets back to basics, and makes for a superbly ...

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Image courtesy of "IGN Nordic"

Alien: Romulus Gallery (IGN Nordic)

Alien: Romulus's back-to-basics approach to blockbuster horror boils everything fans love about the tonally-fluid franchise into one brutal, nerve-wracking ...

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Image courtesy of "AvP Galaxy"

The Alien: Romulus Reviews Are Positive! – Review Roundup ... (AvP Galaxy)

The Alien: Romulus review embargo is officially over! So far, the reviews have been fairly positive. Many outlets call Alien: Romulus the third-best Alien ...

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Image courtesy of "Deadline"

'Alien: Romulus' Review: Nasty Surprises Lurk In The Dark Corners ... (Deadline)

'Alien: Romulus' review: Nasty surprises Lurk in the dark corners of Fede Álvarez's faithful but inventively tense sequel.

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