Director Fede Alvarez approached the special effects crew from Alien 2 (1986) to work on the creatures
Line of Events
While scavenging in the depths of an abandoned space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. Director Fede Alvarez explains the rule he established for Alien: Romulus was that “if it can be practical, it will be practical,” so that the cast would always act in front of a physical representation of the xenomorph. Physical sets, practical creatures, and miniatures were used wherever possible to help ground the VFX work that followed. When Rain turns off the ship’s gravity and shoots all the aliens, all their blood is left suspended in mid-air in long blobs. Real-life zero gravity causes liquids to form spheres, not spread out in long, flat pieces like in the movie.
Alien Theme Written by Jerry Goldsmith
Andy: The solution for a claustrophobic astronaut is to give them more space. The 20th Century Studios fanfare freezes and becomes ominous, much like in Alien 3 (1992), leading into the opening scene of the film. The logo itself is shocked with static and turns green. Nerdrotic Featured: The Acolyte: Force is Female CONFIRMED? The Death of Theaters – The Real BBC @MauLer @HeelvsBabyface (2024).
Because the rest of it is so good
I had high hopes for this and what can I say: I just went back to the cinema after the first screening because I couldn’t wait to see it a second time. Remember how we always wondered if Alien and Blade Runner were set in the same universe? The world-building was so well done and engaging that I was almost disappointed to remember after 30 minutes that I was going to see an Alien movie. Almost. The way the characters are built in relation to each other and to what is happening is masterful.
There’s no downtime, there’s always something happening
I also love how the film thematically and wisely ties together ALL 6 previous films in tradition (there’s a twist in each of them and I’m a sucker for a good candy bar if it’s done on purpose) while doing its own thing. Because IT IS a Fede Alvarez film, as fresh and dynamic as the other films he’s made. Lastly, you just have to watch the opening: as soon as the computer turns on, you know where you are and you know it’s going to be as respectful and familiar as possible. Yes, there are liberties taken with tradition and some will rightly argue about that, but I can personally forgive these shortcuts because they serve the pacing (and each film has its own specific Xenomorphs anyway). It ticks boxes but it’s also unique and special.
It was worth the wait
Whether they’re exploring the stars, escaping dystopias, or making the world a better place, these women are what science fiction is about.