The Alien film franchise returns to its roots with Alien: Romulus, which hits theaters worldwide this week. Director Fede Alvarez aims to emulate the success of Ridley Scott, who initiated the saga in 1979. In an interview with AFP, Alvarez recounted how the early Alien films left an indelible mark on him during his childhood in Uruguay. Following the footsteps of Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Disney has entrusted Alvarez, a relatively lesser-known director, with this installment. Alvarez, known for films like Evil Dead and Don't Breathe, considers the first two Alien films as pivotal to both his career and cinema. Set during the era of the original films, Romulus unfolds almost entirely aboard a drifting spaceship, where space travelers encounter deadly xenomorphs.
Reflecting on a scene from the 1986 film featuring children in a space station, Alvarez muses about their future. The film aims to reintroduce the visceral horror of the original Alien. Alvarez meticulously recreates iconic scenes, including the infamous parasitic alien hatching from a human host. The 46-year-old director also pays homage to Scott's visual style, calling him a genre master. Alvarez emphasizes his commitment to practical filmmaking techniques, avoiding excessive reliance on green screens. He delves into the 1980s futurism, utilizing puppeteered specimens of Alien.
Alvarez describes the film as technically ambitious, aiming to evoke genuine emotions. He likens the experience of watching Alien: Romulus to riding a roller coaster, enjoying the impact it has on audiences. The film follows the tradition of Alien, featuring Cailee Spaeny, who received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the 2023 biopic Priscilla. In Romulus, Spaeny portrays an orphan enslaved on a desolate planet managed by the private conglomerate Weyland-Yutani. When offered a chance to escape with a group of rebels, she seizes the opportunity, unaware that their intended escape vehicle is infested with xenomorphs.
