MOVIE REVIEW – The seventh installment of the legendary sci-fi horror series Alien, known in Hungary as The Eighth Passenger: The Death, is now in theaters. Directed by Fede Alvarez, this film features a brand-new cast while brilliantly recapturing the atmosphere of the original movie, with visual design contributions from Hungarian artists. After Ridley Scott’s disappointing Alien: Covenant, we wondered if there was still life left in H.R. Giger’s terrifying space monster saga. We found out at a press screening on Tuesday…

Few sci-fi horror films have had as much impact on the genre and pop culture as the 1979 Alien. Ridley Scott’s film kicked down Hollywood’s doors, spawning a slew of sequels and imitations, while launching the careers of both the then-young director and its lead actress, Sigourney Weaver. The other “seven passengers” also saw their careers take off, and of course, an entire franchise was born, with additional films, novels, comics, and video games.

Unfortunately, the last Alien film, also directed by Ridley Scott, which served as both a forced sequel to Prometheus and another Alien prequel, was a huge letdown, especially when compared to Scott’s first film. This left fans skeptical about the next installment, now helmed by the relatively young director, 46-year-old Fede Alvarez, who has already proven himself with a few horror films and the series From Dusk Till Dawn.

After a seven-year hiatus, the Alien franchise is back with Alien: Romulus, a film that rekindles the series’ flame by paying homage to the three distinct genres the Alien films have explored.

From the Frying Pan into the Fire

Directed by Fede Alvarez, known for the Evil Dead reboot and Don’t Breathe, Alien: Romulus follows a group of young people fleeing from a dark future on a mining planet, only to stumble upon an abandoned space station. Inside, they encounter the iconic and deadly facehuggers and must do everything they can to avoid a gruesome fate.

At the center of the story is Rain (played by Cailee Spaeny), a young woman who lost her parents to the harsh conditions of mining work. Her character is the most developed among the cast, but even her character arc is somewhat underwritten. As is typical in Alien films, we don’t learn much about the sketched-out characters, leaving the actors to breathe life into these figures—though, given that most will become xenomorph fodder, character development often feels unnecessary. The filmmakers know this and give just enough for the audience to root for our heroes against the ruthless Xenomorphs.

Rain’s dynamic with her synthetic android companion, Andy (David Jonsson), is particularly special, with moments of charming humor. The film builds on their relationship, making it a more personal experience for viewers. Andy is a clever evolution of the android archetype, whose role has changed from film to film, especially in terms of whether our human heroes should fear or trust them. Andy’s primary mission is to protect Rain at all costs, leading her to see him as a brother figure. Naturally, this relationship evolves throughout the film, becoming one of the story’s most interesting aspects.

Three Genres in One: Did It Work?

Alvarez clearly understands what the audience wants, and although that may not hold true for a certain element involving a deceased veteran actor, he certainly knows how to please the fans. The Uruguayan director’s smartest move was realizing that simply echoing the atmosphere and narrative aspects of the first Alien wasn’t enough, so he combined elements from three classic films, weaving his unique style into Alien Romulus.

The original Alien (directed by Ridley Scott), the franchise’s most iconic entry, is known for its intense and terrifying atmosphere. In contrast, the second-most acclaimed film, Aliens (directed by James Cameron), transformed into an action-packed ’80s thriller. Alvarez took both and expertly fused them, creating a devilishly scary and intense thriller with heavy action sequences that will have you gripping your seat.

At the same time, the film plays heavily on the narrative threads introduced in Ridley Scott’s 2012 film Prometheus. By the third act, these connections become intense and deeply unsettling on multiple levels. Technically, the film hits every mark. From Benjamin Wallfisch’s curious yet eerie score to the stunning production design, which involved Hungarian artists, Alien Romulus nails every element flawlessly.

Predictable Story Elements and a Divisive Move

The film has two aspects that may be less successful or divisive. The first involves the storyline and the fate of certain characters, which, if you’ve seen previous films, won’t come as much of a surprise. There was one scene where I knew exactly what was going to happen to a character the moment they made a certain decision.

The second potentially divisive element (which I personally liked) involves the inclusion of a deceased actor from a previous franchise entry. Using today’s technology, Alvarez brings this character back to life, not only for exposition but also as a key player in the actual events. This was handled far more skillfully than we saw with two characters in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and much more tastefully than in The Flash. While it is genuinely relevant to the story, it’s a decision that will likely anger some fans. I thought it worked, but those who disagree might mentally deduct a star from the final rating…

Long Live Alien Romulus!

These are minor quibbles that don’t significantly detract from the overall experience. Alien: Romulus is a triumphant return for the Alien franchise, both in terms of its sci-fi horror aspects and its narrative, as well as the impressive visual elements, something we Hungarians can be proud of. Fede Alvarez masterfully blends the essence of the franchise’s three classic films with his distinct style. It’s clear that this film is a must-see for any sci-fi or horror fan, and despite its small flaws, Alien Romulus is a true celebration for every Alien enthusiast.

– Herpai Gergely “BadSector” –