Alien: Romulus
Review
A new breed of horror.
Spoilers Ahead
Silent Anticipation
I approached Alien Romulus with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The series has had its fair share of ups and downs, and each new entry holds the promise of either revitalizing the saga or falling short of its storied legacy. As the lights of the cinema went down and the room went silent as the film began… it remained silent.
In a cinematic landscape saturated with explosive soundtracks and relentless action, "Alien Romulus" dares to embrace the power of silence more than most horror films. One of the most striking features of Alien: Romulus is its deliberate and artful use of silence. From its very first frames, the film immerses viewers in the cold, indifferent void of outer space. This storytelling device kept me in suspense throughout the film, not only through the exterior shots of the drifting space station, but also in low-to-no noise scenes with our main characters trying to survive their encounter with the franchise’s titular Alien; the Xenomorph. The absence of sound in these moments magnifies the suspense, drawing viewers into a state of heightened anticipation.
This technique is not new to the Alien franchise but in Romulus, it reaches new heights. The silence is not merely an absence of noise, but a deliberate tool that shapes the narrative and influences the viewer's emotional response. Each quiet moment is charged with possibility, hinting at the horrors that lurk just beyond the frame. The silence becomes a character in its own right, a malevolent force that heightens the tension and underscores the isolation of the film's protagonists.
The anticipation in "Alien Romulus" is not just a product of the film's immediate context but a culmination of decades of viewer conditioning. Fans of the franchise have come to expect certain tropes—sudden scares, shocking twists, and the ever-present threat of the xenomorph. This conditioning plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of the film's suspense.
Alien: Romulus director Fede Álvarez skillfully exploits this anticipation, using it to manipulate the audience's expectations and deliver a fresh experience. The silence in the film's pivotal scenes allows for a slow build-up of tension, creating a sense of unease that is both familiar and new. When the expected scares do arrive, they are all the more impactful because they emerge from the stillness. The film's ability to keep viewers guessing, even as it adheres to familiar patterns, is a testament to its clever narrative design.
Same Aliens, new prey.
A new entry in the franchise calls for a new set of characters and Cailee Spaeny as Rain is the standout performance. Evoking some parellels with Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal as Ripley.
Spaeny delivers a captivating and powerful performance as Rain in Alien: Romulus. Her portrayal is both nuanced and compelling, bringing a fresh and intense energy to the beloved franchise. Spaeny's ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from vulnerability to fierce determination, makes her character deeply relatable and memorable. She seamlessly blends strength and sensitivity, creating a multi-dimensional heroine who drives the narrative forward with grace and grit. Spaeny's Rain is a standout addition to the *Alien* legacy, and her performance elevates the film to new heights. A truly stellar job that leaves audiences eagerly anticipating her next role.