One of the deadliest creatures in movie history is back, and people are loving it. Fede Alvarez‘s “Alien: Romulus” has finally screened for members of the film press, and the first reactions for the R-rated tentpole are praising its horrifying scares, practical effects and killer cast. Many film writers agree Alvarez has delivered one of the better entries in the 45-year franchise that started with Ridley Scott‘s “Alien” in 1979.
“‘Alien: Romulus’ is a bonkers roller coaster ride through the previous six ‘Alien’ movies, using bits of all them, to tell a focused, mostly standalone story filled with glorious gore & scares,” Gizmodo’s Germain Lussier wrote on X/Twitter. “It gets better as it goes along, ending with a phenomenal big swing of a third act.”
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#AlienRomulus is a bonkers roller coaster ride through the previous six Alien movies, using bits of all them, to tell a focused, mostly standalone story filled with glorious gore & scares. It gets better as it goes along, ending with a phenomenal big swing of a third act. pic.twitter/mY8Hkbe0gD
“This is easily one of the better films in the franchise. Fede Álvarez doesn’t disappoint,” Variety’s own Jazz Tangcay wrote on X. “Awesome sound design and world-building. The practical effects are so good that the film gave me nightmares.”
#AlienRomulus The bitch is back. Was skeptical going in, but this is easily one of the better films in the franchise. Fede Álvarez doesn't disappoint. Awesome sound design and world-building. The practical effects are so good that the film gave me nightmares. pic.twitter/Z46KNWxYhn
Film critic Courtney Howard described “Alien: Romulus” as “gnarly, gripping & gorgeously bleak.”
“Innovatively delivering smart, savvy stuff, subtly playing the greatest hits,” Howard wrote on X. “Cailee Spaeny & David Jonsson dominate. This rules!”
Fede Alvarez’s #AlienRomulus is gnarly, gripping & gorgeously bleak (everything from the story to Olivares’ cinematography to Wallfisch’s score). Innovatively delivering smart, savvy stuff, subtly playing the greatest hits. Cailee Spaeny & David Jonsson dominate. This rules! pic.twitter/kEuDZku2Oz
Tessa Smith, owner of Mama’s Geeky, said: “‘Alien: Romulus’ pays perfect homage to the original, using practical effects whenever possible. This works so well that the CGI stands out when used. It is slow to start but man, once it gets going, you will be on the edge of your seat until the very end!”
Alien: Romulus pays perfect homage to the original, using practical effects whenever possible. This works so well that the CGI stands out when used. It is slow to start but man, once it gets going, you will be on the edge of your seat until the very end! #AlienRomulus pic.twitter/1o3urLGSiV
“Alien: Romulus,” which Scott produced, is a standalone sequel set between the events of “Alien” (1979) and James Cameron’s “Aliens” (1986). The film centers on a group of young space colonists, led by Cailee Spaeny’s Rain, who accept a mission to scavenge a derelict space station as a ticket off their impoverished planet. Little do they know the space station is home to the eponymous creature. The cast also includes David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu.
Many viewers praised Jonsson and Spaeny’s performances in the latest “Alien” installment, as well as highlighted the third act of the sci-fi horror film in their reactions.
MovieWeb editor Richard Fink said the third act “had me gasping in horror,” while Chicago Indie Critics member Nikko Caruso called it “absolutely stunning.” However, some thought “Alien: Romulus” began to falter towards the end, with Film Inquiry critic Mark McPherson noting the “thematic elements get lost in the shuffle by the third act.”
I really dug #AlienRomulus! It’s a gory monster movie with some truly inventive set pieces. Act 3 had me gasping in horror.It does play like a best of the Alien franchise for better and worse (one element I did not like) but it feels like the sequels finally found their footing pic.twitter/x78B2Dl1v2
I loved #AlienRomulus. Riveting from start to finish w/ surprising emotional stakes & an absolutely stunning third act. Álvarez brings immense style & creativity to the franchise. The practical effects / real sets captured the dark & gritty world of ALIEN beautifully. Tense &… pic.twitter/ko2qESEpe8
“There’s a lot to love, with splendid horror elements, visceral imagery and incredible creature design! David Jonsson is a scene stealer,” wrote film critc Leo Rydel. “However, it rallies the best elements of the franchise together instead of standing on its own and characters are forgettable.”
#AlienRomulus! There’s a lot to love, with splendid horror elements, visceral imagery and incredible creature design! David Jonsson is a scene stealer. However, it rallies the best elements of the franchise together instead of standing on its own and characters are forgettable. pic.twitter/8NSlyW0PfY
Scott gave up directing duties on this seventh installment after helming the prequel movies “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant.” He worked closely with Alvarez on developing the story for “Alien: Romulus” and has continually praised the “Don’t Breathe” filmmaker for injecting the “Alien” franchise with new life.
“The danger of all franchises is they do die unless somebody suddenly decides to pick up the mat and run down the field with a ball,” Scott recently told the Los Angeles Times. “Fede is a surge of energy, and I had to step back and let him do it … Fede had a blueprint firm in his mind, and his script was pretty clear. It was also long, but the screenplay is always long. And so we got into that a little bit.”
“I hope Fede’s got another one up his sleeve because I think this is going to do really well,” Scott added about the film. “He’s got a streak of brilliance.”
“Alien: Romulus” opens in theaters nationwide April 16. Check out more first reactions below.
#AlienRomulus is a big win!Fede Álvarez continues to be one the best directors in the game.The atmosphere is impeccable, and the Alien in action is terrific.What really makes this entry memorable is how inventive some sequences are. A truly disturbing third act ???? pic.twitter/uV7qWzname
Alien: Romulus is a chest-bursting good time! It fuses so many elements from the franchise's mythos together so well, all punctuated with some great action set pieces. I think people will be talking about this one (in a good way) for some time to come #AlienRomulus
When I tell you Fede Alvarez did his thang with this flick bringing that slimy heifer back for another run! The suspenseful anticipation will kill you, but once it kicks in all bets are off. The production and sound design alone are bananas ???? #AlienRomulus pic.twitter/pAMGN6VKCg
#AlienRomulus was a lot of fun. It's gritty and gruesome in all the best ways. The thematic elements get lost in the shuffle by the third act, and some minor fanservice moments feel mildly tacky. Outside of that, it's a great Alien film with solid casting, sets, and effects. pic.twitter/DuatcB0pEX
The third act is where it starts to get a bit shaky. No doubt it will be polarizing, but I for one dug it over what’s been tried in Prometheus and Covenant. #AlienRomulus
#AlienRomulus is actually pretty good. Awesome time at the movies. Haunting, effective, intense & has you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Feels like a horror heist movie but also surprisingly emotional. Kills will leave you squirming. Cailee Spaeny, respect the name. pic.twitter/4z8Rv6bxzl
Really loved #AlienRomulus!Writer-director @fedalvar & his co-writer Rodo Satagues knocked it out of the park with a tight script + it looked & sounded fantastic!Highly recommend seeing it in #IMAX as it looked awesome full screen.It’s a sequel filled with a lot to enjoy~ pic.twitter/vX9cFu6Z5A
Has Fede Álvarez saved the Alien film franchise with #AlienRomulus? Yeah, with style and solid scares. One of the year’s best shared theatrical experiences, it’s an intense edge-of-your-seat experience. Slick and respectful homages to the lore and legacy are deftly handled ???????? pic.twitter/tO4dBnzw1h
#AlienRomulus is a pretty good movie—before it all falls apart.Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson are *Excellent*. Dope sets and costuming. A few thrilling sequences!But too much nostalgia, too little logic, and a hugely disappointing (yet overly familiar) ending ruin it all. pic.twitter/6jtEktOmqQ
#AlienRomulus is the first time I have been terrified during one of the Alien movies. Cailee Spaeny's Rain is a perfect character to follow on this journey and through Fede Álvarez's twists and turns, you never really know where Romulus is headed. The 3rd act is truly WILD. I dig… pic.twitter/vEaiz5966B
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