Alien - Romulus Is Doing Something The Alien Movies Should Have Done

by Ziad Shihab/ June 20th, 2024

Menu



Alien: Romulus Is Doing Something The Alien Movies Should've Done Over 40 Years Ago

Alien: Romulus (2024)

By Ben Sherlock

– 5 days ago

 Thread 12

 Follow

 Share

Summary

Alien: Romulus will bring a fresh take to the franchise by blending elements of the slasher genre in a space setting.
Director Fede Álvarez aims to create a new genre space for the Alien series by focusing on young, inexperienced characters facing cosmic terror.
With Alien: Romulus, the franchise is seeking to thrive by exploring new genres beyond its original premise of a killer E.T. in space.

New details about Alien: Romulus suggest that it’s venturing into a new horror subgenre – something the franchise should've done to begin with. Set to be released in theaters on August 16, 2024, Alien: Romulus will take place between Alien and Aliens as a space crew full of fresh faces inspects a derelict old space station and encounters the bloodthirsty xenomorph. Don’t Breathe’s Fede Álvarez has assembled a cast of rising stars, including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced.

When Álvarez announced that he planned to collate the best parts of Alien and Aliens in Alien: Romulus, it sparked concerns that he would just repeat what worked in the past instead of charting its own course within the Alien mythology. What made Aliens so successful was that James Cameron switched genres from the original’s "haunted house in space" setup to more of a high-octane action thriller. Based on the latest details about Alien: Romulus, it could be seeking its own genre space after all.

Alien: Romulus Is Shaping Up To Be An Alien Slasher Movie

It's looking like a Friday the 13th movie in space

The basic premise of Alien: Romulus is similar to previous installments: it’s about a space crew in the lonely depths of outer space coming into contact with the most terrifying lifeform in the universe. But the crew in this movie will be younger and more inexperienced than ever before. They’re not seasoned professionals like Dallas or Ripley; they’re new to the job. This focus on younger protagonists getting picked off by a vicious killer primes Alien: Romulus to be an Alien slasher movie.

In some ways, Ridley Scott’s timeless original Alien film was a slasher. It’s about a group of characters stuck in an isolated location, getting picked off one by one by a relentless killing machine. But Scott didn’t lean into the gore; he directed the film more like an Agatha Christie whodunit. And the cast is full of competent workers. By focusing on clueless twentysomething characters and leaning more heavily into the cosmic terror, Álvarez is aiming to deliver an Alien slasher movie (something this franchise should have done decades ago).

Why The Alien Franchise Needs New Genres To Thrive

There's only so much that can be done with the original premise

After Cameron’s pivot to all-out action and Álvarez’s pivot to a blood-soaked slasher, it seems as though the Alien franchise needs new genres to thrive. The reason for that is simple: there’s only so much that can be done with the original premise and genre framework of this franchise. The crux of the series is a killer E.T.; without resorting to fresh genres, that would get stale and repetitive real fast. With any luck, Alien: Romulus can kickstart a second wave of Alien films.

Alien: Romulus

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.

 Follow

  



 Thread12

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

 Reply / Post



Sort by:

Felix

So what your saying is next we need a Aliens comedy next followed by a rom-com? Gotcha.

2024-06-15 13:01:31
M

Yes please.

2024-06-17 03:41:36
George

Alien Rom com, girl meets Xenomorph love blossoms both families against the union. Xenomorph Queen tells Xenomorph not to play with his food like that... Hilarious ending when due to cultural misunderstanding over a family dinner half her family are eaten and the others implanted...

2024-06-16 07:03:04
Martin

So, you are saying that the new film is doing something that should have happened at the beginning of the franchise? What a load of cobblers. As if Alien and Aliens were not, and still are, superb films that did everything right and set standards that have yet to be bettered. Have you actually seen the new fim to make such a statement?(Edited)

2024-06-17 11:43:36
Arcane

It'll never better the originals and at best be on a par with the latest hollow offerings. I hope I'm mistaken but i sadly doubt it.

2024-06-17 12:07:27
GetOffMyLawn

Friday the 13th in space...why didn't they do that?

Oh. Wait.

2024-06-17 19:36:46
Abel

Hey Vasquez, have you ever been mistaken for a man??
No. Have you?
This movie better have quick one liners like this!! Definitely helps the movie.

2024-06-16 14:33:17
Matthew

While Aliens was definitely a pivot toward action with a thriller/horror/suspense vibe, I don't consider it "all out action", and the fresh take toward action is not the main reason why it was successful. It would have been a maligned B movie if it weren't for the wonderful characters, relationships, and time Cameron spent creating a magnificent setting for it all to play out in. Almost 40 years later, we still talk about how much we love, or love to hate these characters and relationships. The Queen is absolutely iconic, the betrayal cuts like a knife, and Ripleys quest to rescue Newt, redemption of Bishop, and surprise at the end is one of the greatest finales ever put on film. Those are the kinds of things I'm looking for from Romulus...hard to match, but I have hope in what I've seen. Slasher films are fun, but I want one with heart, with characters I remember and care about or cheer about when they die.

2024-06-19 10:28:52
Tim

I guess she doesnt like the corn bread either!

2024-06-17 03:07:41
David

It was a space slasher since ever.

2024-06-19 08:51:32
William

An earlier one had a freaked out cat in it. What tried and true horror cliche will this one feature?

2024-06-17 16:15:58
Stan

MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. The Great Illuminati brotherhood will make you Rich, famous, powerful, and secure, Get recognized in your business, political race, rise to the top in whatever you do, be protected spiritually and physically! All these you will achieve in a twinkle of an eye. remember a great generation can come from you with the choices you make today, contact us via WhatsApp +2347018157305

2024-06-17 20:55:51