Alien Romulus movie watch online

Movie Review: Alien: Romulus

The Xenomorph from Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien is undeniably one of the most recognizable and fearsome creatures in cinematic history—an acid-blooded, deadly predator. Its terrifying nature has been etched in horror and sci-fi lore, but after more than forty years and multiple films in the franchise, it's natural to wonder if the concept still holds its edge. After all, how many more times can the slasher-in-space formula be reworked?

When Ridley Scott returned to the series, he chose to expand the lore, introducing elements like the mysterious "Engineers" and corporate entities like Weyland-Yutani, all while delving into philosophical themes with films like Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. While Prometheus (which I gave a glowing review) was daring in its ambition, it also divided the fanbase.

Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it plays it safe, delivering a familiar mix of the franchise’s core elements: eerie corridors, gruesome alien encounters, and intense action. While it may not reach the thought-provoking heights of Covenant, Romulus excels as a thrilling sci-fi action movie, perfect for a summer blockbuster.

The story centers on Rain (played by Cailee Spaeny), a miner on the desolate Jackson's Star, and her android companion, Andy (David Jonsson). Together with a small group of survivors, they hatch a plan to escape their dire situation by reaching an abandoned space station in orbit, hoping to find cryo-tubes necessary for their journey to a more hospitable planet. Unsurprisingly, the station isn't as empty as it seems.

Romulus revisits many of the franchise's hallmark moments—facehuggers, acid blood, chest-bursting horrors—but still manages to introduce new twists. The third act, in particular, stands out with its heart-pounding action and inventive set pieces, including an exhilarating zero-gravity firefight. From start to finish, the film never lets up on its intensity.

While it leans heavily on action, the movie does touch on themes explored in earlier films like Prometheus and Covenant. The recurring question of what separates humans from androids or xenomorphs remains central. In the Alien universe, all these entities—Engineers, humans, androids, and xenomorphs—exist on a continuum, each one bringing the next into being in a twisted cycle of creation and destruction.

Romulus offers a subtle commentary on ethics, contrasting human morality with that of androids. Where humans act based on a sense of moral duty, as seen with characters like Ellen Ripley, androids tend to operate from a more utilitarian perspective, focused on efficiency and outcomes. This theme continues from Covenant, though Romulus takes a different approach, suggesting that some deviations from expected behavior—like the villainous android David in Covenant—are outliers.

From a technical standpoint, Romulus shines. The blend of practical effects and CGI is seamless, making the film visually stunning. The production design, with its nods to retro sci-fi aesthetics, enhances the atmosphere. Composer Benjamin Wallfisch’s score further elevates the tension, adding to the overall impact of the film.

In conclusion, Alien: Romulus may not break new ground for the franchise, but it delivers a solid, high-energy installment. For a seventh entry in a series spanning nearly fifty years, it manages to be both entertaining and visually impressive. While fans of Prometheus and Covenant may miss the deeper philosophical exploration, Romulus offers an exciting ride that’s well worth the ticket.  

Genre: Best 2024, Best Horror, Featured movies, Horror, In theatres, Sci-Fi, Science-Fiction, Thriller

Director: Fede Alvarez

Actors: Aileen Wu, Archie Renaux, Bence Okeke, Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Isabela Merced, Rosie Ede, Soma Simon, Spike Fearn, Viktor Orizu

Country: Australia, Canada, Hungary, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States of America

Company: 20th Century Studios, Brandywine Productions, Scott Free Productions

Awards: 1 nomination

Budget: $80,000,000

Worldwide Gross: $230,455,755

Duration: 1h 59min

Release: 2024

Release Date: 2024-08-13

IMDb: 7.4

TMDB: 7.2

Rotten Tomatoes: 80%

Metacritic: 64

FilmAffinity: 6.7

This sequel stands out in the realm of high-budget franchise films for its unique blend of homage and innovation. It honors its predecessors with carefully crafted nods while expanding the universe with creative set pieces and a compelling storyline. Both longtime fans and newcomers to the genre will find plenty to enjoy.