Alien: Romulus: A Haunting Journey Through Space Horror
Set in 2142 on a derelict space station, Alien: Romulus watch a team of colonist, Rain Carradine, and a reprogrammed synthetic, Andy, fight alien monstrosities. As tension increases and their need to survive is threatened their courage is put to the ultimate test up against an inexorable xenomorph threat.
Many messages are used in the film such as loneliness, greed of the big businesses, and fighting for one’s life against otherworldly evil. The mood is rather grim and oppressive, and there is a constant threat and expectations of danger in every scene which makes the viewers feel tense.
The lead protagonist Rain has been played by Cailee Spaeny who retains the spirit of the character throughout the film and the mysterious character Andy is played by David Jonsson. The cast – however – humanizes the characters, portraying their despair and terror convincingly – despite the generalization of individual fates within the larger catastrophe.
New director Fede Alvarez succeeds in maintaining atmosphere of expected suspense that was present in the original Alien film, while adding several new features to keep its viewers on their toes.
The music matches theologian of the picture with the leitmotivs comprising the shades of fear and excitement, emitting infant anticipations and solid phrases, which make film more impressive and thrilling, setting up nerves for tension through the whole showing.
The visuals depict the loneliness of space and the confining conditions of the isolated space station while using shadow and lighting to make the overall impression of constant threat felt.
‘An impression of the main set untidy space station and the image of the xenomorph is also well thought out, viewers absorb atmosphere of the future and Space at the same time edgy and lonely’
The effects are realistic to the best degree and create the xenomorphs to look almost alive – terrifying. Practical effects, coupled with CGI, make it more realistic to grasp that passion carried through the screen making it horrifying.
The film’s sound is consistent with action and adventure since it is well edited with fast paced cuts that enhance the tension. They also maintain a very smooth pacing that could really just keep the viewers on their toes; there never seems to be let up.
Thanks to the consistent increase in tension and a relentless pace in the narrative, it remains involved all the time. The violence erupts when it’s most expected, a thrilling tenure full of six-hour scream fest and adrenaline rush that makes the audience hold its breath by the climax.
It is often brief but memorable that in addition to explaining characters’ actions, it augments the tension of the gameplay. The exchanges are rather acute, which further contributes to the film’s suspense.
Though the film is successful in creating horror, it does more or less bring narrative clichés that are characteristic of this genre, thus limiting the measure of creativity pursued. But it makes up for it in spades with great acting and the feeling of dread that is created.
Alien: Romulus is an exhilarating addition to the Alien film series: while there are moments of pure horror, it is also heavy on character drama. It for sure appeals to the fans of the stylistics as presenting a perfect example of the survival horror with a lasting impact.
