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Summary
-
A
l
ien: Romulus
receives an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a high rating not seen since 1986. -
Romulus
marks an end to decades of critical disappointments for the
Alien
franchise. - A new cast brings fresh energy to the familiar
Alien
story, captivating audiences with a deadly Xenomorph threat.
Alien: Romulus is already showing some signs of success among audiences. Released on August 16, the movie is the seventh mainline Alien movie and the ninth when including the Predator crossovers. Romulus‘ all-new cast features Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, and more, as they explore the horror that comes when a group of unsuspecting colonists come face-to-face with a deadly alien threat. It does bring another major change, however, and that is the fact that it is impressing reviewers.
For audiences, Romulus is a return to form for the franchise. It boasts an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is a marginal improvement over the 81% Tomatometer score. For the average viewer, it represents the highest-rated Alien movie since 1986’s Aliens, and the critics agree. The total is an impressive improvement that marks an end to decades of critical disappointments.
Why Is Alien: Romulus So Well-Reviewed?
Alien: Romulus’ Horror Elements Are A Massive Success
Though Romulus‘ ending has proven divisive, given that it borrows so much from other Alien movies, the franchise is enjoying new critical success with this release. Compared to other franchise offerings since 1986’s Aliens, it is always at least 15 points higher on the Tomatometer and 21 points higher on the audience score metric. The close ties to the original 1979 and 1986 classics can be attributed to its willingness to offer tributes to previous movies through references, storylines, and even its overall plot. Check out the chart below, which compares every movie in the franchise’s Rotten Tomatoes scores:
|
Title |
Tomatometer Score |
Audience Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Alien (1979) |
93% |
94% |
|
Aliens (1986) |
94% |
94% |
|
Alien 3 (1992) |
44% |
46% |
|
Alien Resurrection (1997) |
55% |
39% |
|
Alien vs. Predator (2004) |
22% |
39% |
|
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) |
12% |
30% |
|
Prometheus (2012) |
73% |
68% |
|
Alien: Covenant (2017) |
65% |
55% |
|
Alien: Romulus |
81% |
87% |
While it owes much to incredible performances from skilled actors, the horror is the most significant element of its success. Rather than relying on heavy CGI or out-of-sight monsters, director Fede Álvarez relies on puppetry and practical effects to create the Xenomorphs. The crew produced a life-size Xenomorph animatronic capable of replicating actions that had previously been animated. The original movies similarly relied on practical effects, which lent to the believability of the deadly aliens. With actors finally able to return to interacting with real-world objects and creatures, it makes their performances more grounded and realistic.
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.
The action-packed horror is filled with jump scares, callbacks, and terrifying scenes filled with blood and gore. The fear factor is executed well, as every character is never more than a moment away from death. It also never shies away from showcasing its love for the universe, as repeated references detail the same sense of nostalgia that drew viewers in the first place. Alien: Romulus does not spend much of its time building on the franchise’s lore, but it executes its horror elements well. The ending may be controversial, but the horror is why it is such a critical success.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
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