Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus has arrived with a resounding critical reception, earning a remarkable 83% “Certified Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes. This achievement places the film as the highest-rated entry in the iconic Alien franchise since the original 1979 and 1986 masterpieces. The film’s success is a testament to Álvarez’s ability to navigate the complex world of the Alien universe, while delivering a thrilling and original story. Critics have praised the film’s atmospheric visuals, intense action sequences, and strong performances.
One of the standout aspects of Alien: Romulus is its ability to capture the essence of the original Alien while also offering something fresh and exciting. “You have these conversations with guys like Cameron and Ridley, and you’re turning all of your attention up to the max to really absorb the wisdom,” Álvarez said. “At the end of the day, I hope it is some sort of rebel child of those first two movies,” he said. “Like, you kind of look like your parents, but you don’t want to look like your parents. You want to be your own man. That’s kind of what the spirit of the movie is.”
The film’s exploration of themes such as isolation, fear, and the dangers of unchecked corporate greed resonates deeply with audiences. A stunning visual style, breathtaking shots of alien landscapes and terrifying close-ups of the titular creature all tie-together perfectly to make the horror-thriller amongst the best executed sequels of the franchise. “Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. The cast of Alien: Romulus delivers strong performances, with Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu turning in particularly memorable turns.
In addition to its critical acclaim, Alien: Romulus has also been praised for its pacing and structure. While the box office performance of Alien: Romulus remains to be seen, its critical acclaim suggests that it could be a major success for the franchise. As audiences continue to discover this new chapter in the Alien saga, it’s clear that Alien: Romulus has set a new benchmark for the series.