Alien: Romulus is the latest installment of the iconic Alien franchise, now streaming on Disney+. Directed by Fede Alvarez, this chapter honors the visual and narrative legacy of the series while introducing contemporary elements of horror and science fiction. From its ambitious production design to cutting-edge visual effects, Romulus embodies a return to practical filmmaking that recalls the spirit of Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece.
Revisiting Nostromo’s Roots with a Modern Twist
With a firm nod to the past, Alvarez’s vision for Alien: Romulus celebrates the minimalist, gritty aesthetic established in the original Alien. By eschewing modern CGI-heavy techniques for practical effects, the director sought to immerse audiences in an environment both tangible and terrifying. Alvarez collaborated with legendary visual effects houses, such as Legacy Effects and Wētā Workshop, to create the film’s alien creatures and spaceship interiors.
The film’s star, Cailee Spaeny, noted the immersive quality of these practical effects: “Being on set felt real—it was a complete, tactile experience that made acting not only easier but deeply enjoyable.” The set designs, ranging from the industrial corridors of the spaceship Corbelan to the labyrinthine alien hive, were built from scratch at Budapest’s Origo Studios, blending retrofuturism with the dread of confined spaces.
A New Cast, A Fresh Perspective
Marking a departure from earlier films, Romulus centers on a younger ensemble of space colonists. Spaeny portrays Rain, a resourceful 25-year-old miner searching for freedom beyond the colony of Jackson’s Star. Alongside her is David Jonsson as Andy, a protective synthetic, and Archie Renaux, who plays Tyler, Rain’s former love interest.
Alvarez opted to film Romulus chronologically, allowing the cast to naturally evolve with their characters’ arcs. This approach enriched performances, with Jonsson remarking, “As the layers of Andy unfolded, it was like meeting him anew, each time revealing more complexity and depth.”
Masterful Production Design and Alien Creation
In Alien: Romulus, the sets and props are more than backdrops—they’re integral to storytelling. The Corbelan, for instance, mirrors the Nostromo’s utilitarian design, complete with era-specific details like analog switches and CRT monitors. The production team also crafted modular sets for the Renaissance station, allowing the cinematographer, Galo Olivares, to explore dynamic camera movements and heighten the sense of claustrophobia.
The Xenomorphs, a franchise hallmark, were meticulously brought to life through a combination of animatronics, prosthetics, and puppetry. Legacy Effects produced four unique Xenomorph variants, ensuring versatility in their portrayal. Alvarez insisted that actors interact with physical models, enhancing the realism of their terror. Meanwhile, the facehuggers received a technological upgrade, with animatronic models capable of intricate movements, like gripping and crawling.
Building Suspense with Cinematic Precision
True to its lineage, Alien: Romulus leans into the psychological terror that defined its predecessors. Alvarez and Olivares employed handheld cameras and Steadicams to amplify the sense of unease, while the production design intentionally blurred spatial logic to disorient viewers.
These techniques shine in sequences like the zero-gravity scenes, achieved through a blend of horizontal sets, stunt rigging, and visual effects. Actor Spike Fearn described the training process: “Floating in harnesses for hours was grueling yet exhilarating—it made the sequences feel authentic.”
The Franchise’s Future in Romulus
Set chronologically between Alien and Aliens, Romulus ties its narrative to the franchise’s origins while paving the way for a new generation of fans. Alvarez captures the raw tension of Scott’s original while exploring untapped corners of the Alien mythos. The film’s climax, a chilling encounter with the Xenomorph queen, leaves audiences wondering: What new horrors await in this expanding universe?
Other Movies & Series from Disney+
Open your account on Disney+ and you will have access to movies like Spiderman, Lightyear, Cruella and Pinocchio. You can also watch Star Wars series like The Mandalorian, Andor and The Book of Boba Fett.
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