YNOT at the Movies

Ever since the saliva-dripping, face-hugging monsters debuted in Ridley Scott's "Alien" (1979), they have haunted us in many films and TV shows over the last few decades. The director Fede Alvarez's terrifying "Alien: Romulus" (UK/USA 2024 | 119 min.) is the ninth installment in this "Alien" franchise, and it continues to feature these frightening creatures in deep space. This film is neither a prequel nor a sequel, but it situates itself in between other alien films with few new ideas. However, with a fresh ensemble of young actors, it clearly aims at recruiting a new generation of fans to the franchise.

The story begins on a perpetually dark planet called Jackson Star Mining Colony where the Weyland-Yutani Corporation controls its human workers with an iron grip. After Rain (Cailee Spaeny) is denied a travel permit, she decides to join a daring mission to obtain fuel from an abandoned ship nearby in order to escape this sunless planet. The vessel, ominously named "Romulus," is discovered by Rain's ex-boyfriend Tyler (Archie Renaux) and his friend Bjorn (Spike Fearn). They are joined by Tyler's sister Kay (Isabela Merced), a tech-savvy pilot Navarro (Aileen Wu), and Rain's "brother" Andy (David Jonsson)—who, as it turns out, is actually a synthetic android capable of interfacing with the ship's systems.

Predictably, the seemingly derelict ship is anything but empty. It harbors fast-moving and grotesque Xenomorphs—creatures whose blood is corrosively acidic and whose hunting skills are terrifyingly efficient. What starts as a quest to escape a desolate planet quickly spirals into a desperate fight for survival against these lethal predators.

The film's striking visual of the spaceship rendered a haunting backdrop for the unfolding terror. The acid-bleeding, multi-mouthed Xenomorphs have never looked more terrifying. The practical effects are top-notch, with enough gooey, visceral moments to satisfy fans of the original. The jump scares, while plentiful, are never cheap or predictable.

But it is David Jonsson's portrayal of the android Andy that often steals the show. His performance is mesmerizing, infusing the synthetic character with a quiet empathy and a robotic tone that belies a deep understanding of human emotion. Amid the film's relentless tension and fear, Andy's calm demeanor in the face of unimaginable horror provides a stark contrast to the surrounding chaos. The human characters, by comparison, often seem little more than collateral damage.

Another notable character is the android Rook, portrayed by an AI-generated version of the late Ian Holm, who passed away in 2020. Rook's presence is a respectful nod to the franchise's history, recalling his performance as Ash in the original "Alien." However, this raises questions about the future use of AI in acting.

"Alien: Romulus" is not for the faint of heart, nor for those expecting something radically different from previous entries. But for fans of the franchise, it's a return to form—a continuation of the saga that also beckons younger fans to engage with a horror classic. Dark, terrifying, and exhilarating, it's a hell of a ride. If you're ready to confront your fears of the Xenomorphs once again, this is the movie for you.

"Alien: Romulus" opens on Friday, August 16, 2024.