ALIEN: ROMULUS

Whenever a new film in the Alien franchise releases, it's always interesting to see where it will fit into the timeline. We've seen sequels and prequels over the years, and now we have an interquel in the form of Alien: Romulus. Set between the events of Alien and Aliens, director Fede Álvarez takes the franchise back to its roots with a film set to bring terror to the forefront again.

A group of space colonisers, including Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny), come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe when scavenging a derelict space station. 

One thing's for sure, Fede Álvarez has one unhinged mind and it's great to have filmmakers of his ilk working in the mainstream, particularly within horror. Alien: Romulus is at its best when Álvarez delivers sequences that thrive off his devilish and twisted mind - the terror etched all over the film as a result. Being set between Alien and Aliens leaves the film open to a number of possibilities that it grasps with both hands to become a worthy entry into the franchise. Álvarez brings us some truly cool moments that we've never seen before in these films - acid rain being a tricky obstacle course and the grotesque facehuggers getting several moments to shine, Álvarez revelling in making the audience squirm. The excellent practical effects just add another layer of fear to proceedings as lifelike facehuggers scuttle across the floor and the iconic Xenomorph looks as stunning as ever.

The production design is second to none too, dark and dingy as our crew of scavengers fight for survival against the ultimate terror. It pays homage to the pioneering film that spawned this all with its visuals but it's the homage that proves to be something holding the film back from being truly great. The opening sequence instantly makes it clear exactly how this all fits into the franchise - something many had predicted previously - which works well for the film, but there's something else, which I won't spoil, that just feels a bit off. It will sure raise questions from many but the over usage of it hinders the film a little. 

Films within long existing franchises love to reference moments or lines deemed iconic by fans and Romulus is guilty of this. They're not very subtle at all and not really needed to be honest. As mentioned before, the film is much more interesting when trying to make a name for itself. That includes a totally rad final act that sees Álvarez swing for the fences, to good effect - bold and sure to be divisive in its execution, yet proving to be a thoroughly gripping conclusion to Álvarez taking us through such a messed up house of horrors.

Coming to the performances, Romulus features a young and exciting cast who throw themselves into proceedings with no fear - until they board the Romulus shuttle that is. Cailee Spaeny provides the film with a strong female protagonist that we are so used to seeing in the Alien franchise, believable in the journey of standing up and being counted in the face of ultimate fear. With this, Priscilla and Civil War, it's about time we gave Spaeny a break from playing characters in such miserable situations. David Jonsson arguably steals the show though as Andy, an android programmed by Rain's father to act as her brother. If you've seen Jonsson be ever so delightful in the recent Rye Lane, it'll shock you just how different he is here - excelling in a role that requires so much more than just acting stiff like a robot. He's cold and calculated with his delivery and his loyalty to Rain comes through in the use of Jonsson's eyes. It's two top quality performances that spearhead the film.

Isabela Merced gives the next best performance of the film playing Kay, not having as many scenes as expected going in but certainly making an impact in them. It'll definitely wash away the bad smell of Madame Web from her filmography. Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu never let the film down either, their exuberance of youth quickly extinguished the deeper they go into the Romulus shuttle.

While it doesn't reach the heights of either Alien or Aliens, it's great fun watching Fede Álvarez try to emulate and pay respect to both, as well as the whole franchise. Alien: Romulus had me feeling uncomfortable multiple times, a sign that something is being done right and the franchise returning to its horror roots is a simple yet deeply effective choice.

Verdict: ★★★★