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The biggest cinematic surprise of 2024? Alien: Romulus. As a lifelong fan of the Alien franchise, Iโve always appreciated the dystopian universe it portrays, from its gritty survival horror to the ruthless power of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. While recent entries focused on the Engineers, Romulus shifts back to the Xenomorph and it does so brilliantly.
Set between 1979โs Alien and 1986โs Aliens, Romulus begins on a space colony called Jacksonโs Star. Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) and her surrogate android brother Andy (David Jonsson) live on this harsh mining colony, doing grueling work to pay off an unending debt.
Life is bleak, controlled by the corporation that owns them, but when Rain discovers a derelict space station above the colony, she and a small group of workers see a chance to escape their hellish existence. What begins as an act of desperation quickly becomes a nightmare as they realize the station holds more than just cryo pods.
Rain is one of the franchiseโs most compelling protagonists in years. Spaeny brings a grounded performance, balancing Rainโs determination with vulnerability as she fights for survival. Her bond with Andy adds an emotional core to the story. As an android, Andyโs programmed loyalty is challenged in unexpected ways, leading to some of the filmโs most thought-provoking moments.
Visually, Romulus is stunning. Naaman Marshallโs production design captures the grim, lived-in feel of the Alien universe, with the decaying space station of Romulus and Remus providing a hauntingly claustrophobic setting. The sharp contrast between the mining colonyโs grittiness and the terror of the station is striking.
Director Fede Alvarez also nails the tension. From the hallway sequence filled with Facehuggers to the brutal elevator scene, the action feels relentless and intense. The atmosphere mirrors the terror of Ridley Scottโs original film while carving its own identity with modern storytelling and pacing.
While Romulus includes some fan-service moments that feel a bit unnecessary, they donโt overshadow the filmโs strengths. Its simple plot, focusing on survival horror, allows the world-building and character development to shine.
Alien: Romulus is a thrilling return to what makes this franchise unforgettable: intelligent storytelling, atmospheric terror, and characters worth rooting for. For fans of the series, this is a must-watch.
What movie surprised you the most in 2024? Let me know in the comments!