ALIEN: ROMULUS (2024)

Genre: Sci-fi/Horror
Director: Fede Alvarez
Cast: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Rating: NC16 (Gore & Violence)
Released By: Walt Disney
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 15 August 2024

Synopsis: A truly terrifying cinematic experience from producer Ridley Scott and director/writer Fede Alvarez, 20th Century Studios’ “Alien: Romulus” opens in theaters nationwide August 16, 2024. The sci-fi/horror-thriller 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.

Movie Review:

This reviewer doesn’t recall how he got to watch Alien (1979) on VHS when he was a kid, but what he remembers is how the Ridley Scott’s science fiction horror movie scared the hell out of him. And that was an age when he thought aliens are cute creatures from space – turns out that the Xenomorph is a terrifying creature that you pray never to come across. The elongated skeletal frame and dripping maw are what nightmares are made of.

The movie turned out to be a hit with a total worldwide gross of $143 million, and it took home the Best Visual Effects prize at the 52nd Academy Awards. It also made a star out of Sigourney Weaver, who portrayed the no nonsense and independent Ellen Ripley.

More than four decades have the passed, and fans have been anticipating the seventh instalment in the Alien franchise. We are pleased to report that the movie is one daunting roller coaster ride that will make your heart race.

The story takes place between the events of Scott’s Alien (1979) and James Cameron’s Aliens (1986). There’s nothing to shout about the plot as it sees a group of teenagers trying to seek out a better life by escaping a planet controlled by a corporation. Amongst them are Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaney), a female protagonist who manages to leave an impression, as well as Andy (David Jonsson), an android companion that you will find yourself empathising with. Together with other supporting characters, the young space colonists find themselves in an abandoned space station and no prizes for guessing what creatures are lurking in the corner.

Directed by Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe), this movie is essentially a back to basics horror flick set in space. The characters are killed off one by one, and it is not difficult to know who will be offed next. What makes it extremely fun (or distressing for some) is how the human beings are hunted by the aggressive extraterrestrial species. Depending on what kind of movie goer you are, you will scream, gasp or watch in shock when a Facehugger grips someone’s head, or when a Chestburster pops through someone’s ribcage, or when a Xenomorph ends someone’s life very, very violently.

If it’s the first time you are hearing about the abovementioned creatures, it probably means that you are unfamiliar with the franchise. It is nothing to worry about though, because this movie works splendidly as a standalone movie – it may even make you go hunt down the previous titles. If you are short of time, you may want to skip Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), although it did seem like a cool idea to bring two of cinema’s most fearsome creatures together.

Back to Álvarez’s movie – the Uruguayan filmmaker has delivered a science fiction horror masterpiece for today’s audiences. As a viewer, you feel like you are frantically navigating through a haunted house with an overwhelming sense of dread. Thanks to the use of practical effects, the tension throughout the 119 minute movie is exhilaratingly suffocating, and the engine of terror is running at full throttle. Yet, when the camera exits the claustrophobic interiors, there is an unspeakable awe when you see the vehicles glide through space, especially when you the movie on an IMAX screen.

The movie also scores with its bonkers finale, where you will see a truly grotesque creature which we believe is introduced to the franchise for the first time. Because no one can hear you scream in space, you definitely do not want to mess around with this frightening mess of a being.

Movie Rating:

(The latest entry to the Alien franchise is horrifyingly good - you will scream, gasp or watch in shock as the Facehuggers, Chestbursters and Xenomorphs unleash slimy and gory terror upon the helpless humans)

Review by John Li