Warning: Major SPOILERS lie ahead for Alien: Romulus!
Summary
-
Alien: Romulus
‘ chestburster scene is a twisted take on birth, adding realism and horror to the franchise. - Director Fede Álvarez’s unique approach blends practical effects and references while keeping it gritty.
- Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film with a fresh group of characters facing terrifying Xenomorphs.
The shocking Alien: Romulus chestburster scene is more unique than it originally appears. As the ninth movie in the Alien franchise, Romulus is dedicated to seeding references to other movies, replicating narrative beats, and even returning to the original style of practical effects. It created a critically acclaimed release that is doing exceptionally well at the box office, as the Alien: Romulus ending has helped to usher in the best opening weekend in franchise history. Yet, while it does borrow some notes from the original movies, there are major differences.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Fede Álvarez opened up about some of the unique distinctions that set his movie apart. He cites the chestburster scene as one example, as the newly-born hybrid cuddles into its mutilated mother after its birth. Instead of scampering off, Álvarez had the creature face a more realistic reaction that only added to the horror. Check out Álvarez’s explanation below:
When babies are born, they’re exhausted. So
it would be this slow burn coming out of the body
. I think it’s more gruesome and perverse, but also doesn’t betray reality. I approached it as if it was a nature documentary. The direction I gave the puppeteers was stuff like, ‘
The baby looks for the scent of the mother
now,’ and so it raises his head to do that. That just makes it way more realistic, and we applied that principle to everything in the Alien world.
Small Changes Made Alien: Romulus Great
Practical Effects Made A Difference
As Álvarez remarked in his interview, his instructions went to puppeteers, rather than to artists designing the movie’s CGI. That is because Álvarez mandated that the movie use practical effects. Instead of relying on artists to create horrifying images in post-production, he ensured that the movie was terrifying even on-set. When the actors were working on their performances, they did so in front of life-sized puppets and animatronic versions of the Xenomorphs, which helped to produce more grounded and realistic portrayals.
Small differences, including the practical effects, helped to make Romulus the success that it is. The new Xenomorph hybrid, for instance, is a faster version of the monstrous alien that walks on two legs, while staring through a human-like face. That makes for a more haunting image, as it emulates classic horror movies featuring more-human killers. The creature is also more resilient, making it deadlier and more haunting. These small changes helped to recreate the iconic monster, and the lack of focus on overtly expanding on the lore ensured that Álvarez could focus on improving what already exists.
Related
Alien: Romulus Review – Horrifying Sci-Fi Actioner Has The Best (& Worst) Of The Alien Franchise
Somewhere between Alien & Aliens — fitting given its place in the timeline — Romulus serves up blockbuster-level action & visceral horror all in one.
Even the ending, which takes inspiration from Ripley’s conclusion in the original Alien, builds on the concept. Rain shares some similarities with Ripley, including her determination, cunning, and willingness to fight to survive. Instead of Rain closing herself in alone in the ending, however, she is forced to make the choice to abandon Andy or to save her synthetic protector. The ending is as ominous as the original’s, while also offering Rain the opportunity to showcase her compassion. Alien: Romulus built on everything that made the franchise great, which sets it apart.
Source: EW
Alien: Romulus
3.5
Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the Alien franchise. The movie is directed by Fede Álvarez and will focus on a new young group of characters who come face to face with the terrifying Xenomorphs. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film and takes place in a time not yet explored in the Alien franchise.
- Director
- Fede Alvarez
- Release Date
- August 16, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Scott Free Productions , 20th Century
- Distributor(s)
- 20th Century
- Writers
- Fede Alvarez , Rodo Sayagues , Dan O’Bannon , Ronald Shusett
