'Alien: Romulus' is a breathtaking experience

I entered the movie theater with a sense of unease. A mix of emotions - excitement, anticipation, and, of course, fear. But not the fear of an Alien jumping out at the least expected moment, rather the fear of what might have been done to one of the most iconic science fiction and space horror franchises of all time.

Yet, as I left the theater, all that remained was relief. They did it. Alien: Romulus exceeded my expectations.

A legacy heavier than it should be

Since its original release in 1979, the Alien franchise has experienced more lows than highs. Though it is remembered as a landmark in the worlds of science fiction and horror cinema, the franchise soon veered off course, leading the saga into less familiar territory.

While its direct sequel, ‘Aliens’, is celebrated as a unique adventure and a worthy successor, James Cameron forever altered the heart of the franchise with a more action-oriented approach, focusing on the spectacle of numerous xenomorphs meeting their end. From that point on, things didn't fare so well.

Alien 3 is infamous; Alien: Resurrection has faded into collective obscurity; and on the other hand, the Prometheus sub-saga - comprising Prometheus and Alien: Covenant - saw Ridley Scott taking overly ambitious risks as he attempted, in vain, to create something different with the saga.

The truth is, while far from bad films, they weren't the movies everyone was expecting. They are interesting and pose philosophical and metaphysical questions rarely explored in the medium.

But we must not forget that, at the end of the day, they bore the name Alien in the title, which carried a historic precedent that demanded the saga follow a predefined path, one that likely conflicted with the creative apex Ridley Scott was navigating at the time.

The saga has recently tried to build a richer mythology within its universe, a commendable effort given the vast array of elements the world they created contains.

Perhaps they strayed too far from the core of what the first film represented, trying to distance themselves from the failures inspired by it and its sequels, like the forgettable (yet iconic) Alien vs. Predator, or a long list of video games, comics, and books that are best left in collective amnesia.

The transformation of Alien from a simple space horror film into a multimedia franchise was a transition that hit the saga quite hard. This is why, after feeling fulfilled with Covenant, Ridley Scott’s order upon discovering that another film would “return to the roots of the saga” was simple. He gave Fede Álvarez a direct and impactful message.

“Don't screw it”.

The film the franchise needed

Alien: Romulus does so many things right that listing them all would be impossible. However, what it does best is understanding the construction of horror from a perspective that goes beyond the traditional "jumpscare" associated with a terrifying character.

It's intriguing that this is its most notable quality, especially considering that Fede Álvarez's films have been recognized for their more direct approach to horror. Not necessarily as vague as Paranormal Activity, to mention something, but just enough to not be considered the pinnacle of horror. That said, his filmography isn't bad at all; it's simply tailored to specific tastes.

This first demonstrates that the franchise was placed in the right hands. Álvarez was able to evolve and move beyond his conventions to create something new, understanding the narrative needs of the film he was tasked with.

Where previous films failed to find their footing, Romulus came in and did everything quite perfectly. The screenwriters probably watched Alien a thousand times, making a list of everything that made it a great movie. Then they wrote the script around it and - voilà: a film loved by almost everyone.

The key lies in understanding that horror isn't truly horror without properly built suspense. And this isn't just about having the Psycho soundtrack playing in the background or endless chases, but rather through suffocating settings, oppressive camera angles, and, of course, a constant sense of danger and insecurity.

The quintessential enemy of science fiction here becomes a constant threat, terrifying both the protagonists and the audience. As a viewer, you're gripped by the fear that the Xenomorph could appear at any moment to violently disrupt the protagonists' mission. Even in death, it represents a mortal danger, forcing every step to be measured with extreme caution.

And that, that is the essence of Alien.

Of course, they’ve now added reflections on transhumanism through a more developed inclusion of synthetics, while also exploring the mutation of the Xenomorph with other species. This brings an innovative air to the film without straying too far from what it’s supposed to be.

They Never Had to Reinvent the Wheel

Perhaps the main problem with the Alien saga is precisely that it tried to be more than it should have been. It never needed to delve into complex mythologies or dive too deeply into the realm of action (as epic and memorable as its crossover with Predator may be).

The foundations were already firmly established from the very beginning, and (almost) nothing should have been built outside of them. That’s why this film feels like a true return to the roots: it does everything that, for nearly half a century, fans have been waiting for this saga to do.

And it’s true: Romulus may not be particularly inventive, but does it need to be? If the foundation is solid, there's nothing more to do than to leverage it with new stories, gradually enriching an appealing lore for the audience, and offering reconstructions of that same essence in different scenarios.

Think this approach can’t work? Let’s look at the perfect example. Alien: Isolation is a horror game released for the previous generation of consoles, where you play as Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda, who must survive a space station infested with Xenomorphs.

In essence, isn’t it the same as the first Alien movie? Absolutely.

And that’s why it’s incredibly brilliant; it became a game beloved by critics and audiences alike, who now eagerly await a spiritual sequel in virtual reality. A perfect example of how to use the franchise and create new things within new fields. A demonstration of how non-innovation can coexist peacefully with innovation.

Sometimes with a more sudden burst of violence, other times with deeper suspense and greater helplessness. But always with the same logic of doing what made the saga great in the first place, while adding small innovations - just as Romulus did.

In that sense, Romulus may feel more like a reboot of the franchise than anything else. Alien for a new generation, some might say, leaving no trace of the past mistakes (but learning from them). My only hope is that, finally, this saga can shine like never before, as it has long deserved to.