Alien: Romulus first reactions call it a terrifying return to horror for the franchise, and the "summer's best movie"
Aug. 13, 2024The Alien sequel gets its first set of reviews
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The first set of reactions to new horror movieAlien: Romulusare officially in, and it sounds like the Alien sequel has major potential to be a franchise favorite.
While not everyone has been completely sold, plenty of the early opinions comment on the scary nature of the movie, referencing its horror overtures. There’s also talk of a “wild” third act too, full of twists and turns. Check out some reactions below.
GamesRadar+’s Emily Murray wrote: “Admittedly found #AlienRomulus to be a mixed bag at times but the bonkers third act ultimately really won me over. Fede Álvarez goes all out and it’s wild! I do wish it was scarier with more character development, but a solid entry in the franchise I rather enjoyed.”
Variety’s Courtney Howard tweeted: “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!”
The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit tweeted: “ALIEN: ROMULUS: Has all the great hallmarks of what you would expect in an Alien flick but never feels like it’s pandering to nostalgia or fan service…and even goes into a crazy new direction. Fede Alvarez & the cast just gave birth to summer’s best movie.”
Discussing Film’s Andrew J. Salazar added: “ALIEN: ROMULUS isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. Rather, Fede Álvarez puts his fucked up spin on a classic horror story with some truly marvelous visual storytelling. It’s too nostalgic at times, but Fede has proved his worth for a trilogy.”
The Mary Sue’s Rachel Leishman wrote: “#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 it.”
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Check out some more early reactions below, which are a little more mixed.
Alien: Romulus takes place between Ridley Scott’s original 1979 movie Alien andJames Cameron’s ’80s sequelAliens. The new movie follows a group of young space colonizers who come face to face with the universe’s most fearsome creatures “while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station,” as per the official synopsis from 20th Century Studios.
Directed by Evil Dead’s Fede Álvarez, and with Scott on board as a producer, Alien: Romulus starsCivil War’s Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux,The Last of Us’ Isabela Merced, andAftersun’s Spike Fearn.
Alien: Romulus hits theaters on August 16. For more, check out our guide on how to watch theAlien movies in order, or keep up withupcoming moviesheading your way this year.
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