A group of young people infiltrate an abandoned ship floating near their planet in the hopes of escaping to other skies. However, inside are deadly creatures.
The continuation ofAlien (1979) is titled Aliens (1986) and no Alien 2. In the timeline of the franchise launched by Ridley Scott, Alien – Romulus slips between the two and beautifully rediscovers their spirit.
It would have been audacious to title Fede Álvarez’s film (evil Dead, Don’t Breathe) Alien 2but the Uruguayan filmmaker and his co-writer Rodo Sayagues clearly wanted to ensure continuity with the tone, atmosphere and events of the first.
Life in Jackson’s Star is bleak. The sun never shines and its inhabitants are there only to work in the mines of the Weyland-Yutani corporation – responsible for the misfortunes of most of the characters in the Alien franchise. Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her brother Andy (David Jonsson), an android, dream of flying to the lush Yvaga system. Their parents have succumbed to lung cancer and history can only repeat itself.
Friends have discovered an abandoned ship drifting near their atmosphere and invite them to be part of the journey to a better world. Especially since Andy’s presence is essential to the success of the journey that will take nine years. Although naive and slow, the “synthetic” is able to communicate with the operating system of the deserted device. Quickly, the six young adults will realize that they are not alone on board.
The plot of Romulus is thin, but it has enough surprises and tension to keep us engaged for two hours. Even though we now know the xenomorphs as well as Ripley – made legendary by Sigourney Weaver – these dripping monsters remain terrifying. The final act is particularly nightmarish.
The photography (Galo Olivares) and the sets (Naaman Marshall), sublime, immediately take us back to the original films by Ridley Scott and James Cameron. The music by Benjamin Wallfisch (Blade Runner 2049, It) is not as striking as Jerry Goldsmith’s, but still helps maintain the suspense.
With the exception of Rain and Andy, the characters remain on the surface awaiting their inevitable deaths. At least we avoid stereotypes. Cailee Spaeny’s acting (Priscilla, Civil War) is fair, although it lacks a bit of flavor. David Jonsson (the series Industry) impresses with the many facets of his interpretation. We hope to see him again soon.
After two more or less convincing prequels, we are happy to see that the Alien franchise has found a way to offer “new retro”.
In the room
Alienby Ridley Scott, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, will be presented at the Cinémathèque québécoise on August 23, 8:30 p.m., as part of the Science-fiction cycle of the Montreal establishment.
Visit the Cinémathèque québécoise website
Science fiction, horror
Alien – Romulus
Fede Alvarez
With Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Isabela Merced
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