Alien: Romulus successfully revives the franchise’s horror-driven origins. Set on a dark and desolate space station, the film immerses viewers in an eerie, tension-filled environment. The production design captures the grimy, industrial feel of Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979), with retro-futuristic tech and claustrophobic corridors adding to the suspense​.

The story centers around a group of miners who, in an effort to escape their grim circumstances, attempt to steal hypersleep pods from a derelict space station. As expected, things go horribly wrong, leading to encounters with the franchise’s signature facehuggers and Xenomorphs​.

Cailee Spaeny delivers a standout performance as Rain, a character compared to Ripley, but with a fresh, modern edge. Meanwhile, David Jonsson’s portrayal of the synthetic android Andy adds an intriguing layer of mystery. The film’s action and horror elements are well-executed, with a third act that critics describe as “insane” and “thrilling”​

However, some critics argue that Alien: Romulus leans too much on nostalgia, with excessive callbacks to past films. While fans will appreciate the Easter eggs, these moments sometimes detract from the film’s own identity​.

Overall, Alien: Romulus is an intense, well-crafted addition to the Alien universe. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of Alien or Aliens, but it revitalizes the series with strong performances, brutal scares, and a gripping narrative. Fans of the franchise will find plenty to love, while newcomers can enjoy a thrilling sci-fi horror experience.