The ninth installment in the iconic Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, has hit theaters, and it’s already making waves. Directed by Fede Álvarez and co-written with Rodo Sayagues, the 2024 American science fiction horror film brings a fresh yet familiar intensity to the beloved series.
With its premiere on August 12, 2024, and a theatrical release by 20th Century Studios on August 16, the film has garnered positive reviews and a strong box office performance, raking in $283.4 million worldwide.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Set between the events of Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979) and James Cameron’s Aliens (1986), Alien: Romulus taps into the franchise’s rich history while exploring new narrative territories. The film is produced by Scott Free Productions and Brandywine Productions, with Chiranjeevi (Cherry) and Hemalatha Pedamallu backing it under Clap Entertainment. With Álvarez at the helm and Kaala Bhairava composing the music, the film promises both suspense and auditory delight.
The cast features Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Madekwe, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, each bringing a new dimension to the franchise. Spaeny stars as Rain Carradine, a space colonist grappling with the harsh realities of interstellar life. The story follows Rain and her companions, who are faced with terrifying extraterrestrial threats while scavenging a derelict space station.
The plot unfolds in 2142. A Weyland-Yutani Echo space probe investigates the wreckage of the USCSS Nostromo, recovering a mysterious organic object. This object, which contains a Xenomorph cocoon, is taken to a secret research station. Fast forward months later, and we find ourselves at Jackson’s Star on LV-410, where Rain and her adoptive brother Andy, a malfunctioning android, are embroiled in a hazardous expedition.
Rain, alongside her ex-boyfriend Tyler and their ragtag crew, embarks on a mission to a derelict spacecraft named the Renaissance. Their goal: to retrieve cryostasis chambers to escape to the planet Yvaga. However, things quickly spiral out of control when they accidentally trigger a lockdown, inadvertently awakening the dormant face huggers and leading to a deadly encounter with a Xenomorph.
The tension escalates as the crew faces numerous challenges: a face hugger attaches to one of their own, the Xenomorph wreaks havoc, and internal betrayals add to their peril. With the derelict station on a collision course with Jackson’s planetary rings, Rain and her remaining allies must navigate a labyrinth of threats, both external and internal.
In a gripping sequence, Rain and Tyler arm themselves while dealing with the station’s failing systems and the Xenomorph’s relentless attacks. The story culminates in a harrowing showdown as Rain confronts a horrifying hybrid creature, the Offspring, resulting from the compounded injection into Kay, one of her crewmates.
For fans eager for more, Marvel Comics will release a prequel comic book in October 2024, bridging the gap between Alien and Romulus. Written by Zac Thompson and illustrated by Daniel Picciotto, it promises to expand the lore and set the stage for the events of the film.
As Alien: Romulus continues to captivate audiences, it reaffirms the franchise’s enduring appeal and its ability to deliver edge-of-your-seat thrills. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, this installment is a must-see, offering a blend of nostalgia and innovation that is sure to leave a mark.
