Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus is a 2024 science fiction horror film directed by Fede Álvarez and produced by Ridley Scott. It is the seventh installment in the mainline Alien film franchise and serves as a standalone story set between the events of the original Alien (1979) and its sequel, Aliens (1986). The film marks a return to the series' horror roots, emphasizing suspense, atmosphere, and close-quarters terror.
Plot Summary
Set in the aftermath of corporate colonization efforts, a group of young space colonists scavenges an abandoned orbital station located above a desolate, uninhabited planet. Drawn by the promise of salvage and independence, the crew quickly discovers the ruins of a secret Weyland-Yutani research facility. Inside, they encounter the remnants of horrifying experiments — and an alien organism unlike anything they've seen.
As the xenomorph awakens and begins its hunt, the crew is cut off from escape and forced to survive using only their wits, limited gear, and fractured trust in one another. With communications severed and the station falling apart around them, their fight for survival becomes a descent into primal fear and isolation.
Cast
- Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine – A tough, resourceful survivor with a traumatic past tied to colonial space
- Isabela Merced as Kay – The youngest of the crew, intelligent and idealistic
- David Jonsson as Andy – A technician and voice of reason amid chaos
- Archie Renaux as Tyler – A rebellious scavenger with a distrust of authority
- Spike Fearn as Bjorn – A sarcastic mechanic hiding deeper fears
- Aileen Wu as Navarro – A pragmatic leader trying to hold the group together
Production
Development of Alien: Romulus began in secret under the working title Alien: Romulus, with Fede Álvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues crafting a story independent of previous franchise entries. The film was greenlit by 20th Century Studios and filmed in Budapest, Hungary throughout 2023.
Unlike Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, which explored the mythos and origins of the xenomorph, Romulus aims to capture the raw survival horror that defined the original films. The production made extensive use of practical effects and in-camera creature work, echoing the visual style of the 1979 original. Director Álvarez has cited Alien, The Thing, and his own Don't Breathe as tonal inspirations.
Reception
Although official reviews will be available upon release, early trailers and sneak previews at conventions have generated positive buzz. Fans praised the return to horror, the claustrophobic setting, and the use of practical xenomorph effects. With its fresh cast and isolated setting, the film is being described as a “reset” for the franchise — accessible to newcomers but still faithful to the lore that longtime fans love.
Related Films
- Alien (1979)
- Aliens (1986)
- Prometheus (2012)
- Alien: Covenant (2017)