Listen, when I got invited to attend an advanced screening of Alien: Romulus, I knew it wasn’t gonna be my kind of escape! (I wasn’t even planning on writing an Alien: Romulus movie review!)
I’m more of a rom-com kind of gal. Cute, funny stories, that make me forget about reality are my jam. But a friend of mine wanted to see this, and I said I’d take him — if I got the invite.
And of course, the invite came a few days later. So I had to keep my promise!
But, I wasn’t expecting much from Alien: Romulus and I surely did not expect to enjoy it in any kind of way. I just assumed I’d have my eyes closed for half of the movie because horror and thrillers weren’t made for me. I hate being scared. So when I started screaming at the screen instead of hiding, I was pleasantly surprised.
To be honest, if this film wasn’t so damn repetitive and so darn focused on making everyone the hero, I probably would have enjoyed watching it way more than I did. But alas, the need for a hero, is this film’s downfall, and I don’t need to ever watch this one again.
However, YOU may get a kick out of watching this in theaters with your friends, so …
Here’s my full Alien: Romulus movie review below …
Alien: Romulus – A Stressful Escape
- Title: Alien: Romulus
- Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
- Synopsis: Alien: Romulus takes you on a nerve-wracking journey as a group of young adults, (who feel more like kids) and an Android, leave the “safety” of their home to find a better life, only to find themselves face-to-face against a terrifying threat instead.
Why the “Alien: Romulus” Movie is the Perfect Escape
- Escapism Appeal: Alien: Romulus throws you into an otherworldly setting with dark hallways, eerie silences, and sudden bursts of chaos. It’s not a comforting escape, but a full-throttle one, where stress and tension replace the mundane worries of daily life. You’ll definitely forget your real-world concerns while watching this—but you may leave feeling a tad bit more stressed out than you planned for.
- Vibes: The film creates an overwhelming, grip your seat, hold on to your breath, sense of tension, but never really latches on to pure dread or fear. And for those of us who aren’t really into the horror/thriller vibe, this may be exactly what you need. While Alien: Romulus isn’t your typical horror flick, intended to make you jump at every corner; it does a good job of piling on the pressure, making you feel trapped in its chaos instead. And the sound design and pacing make it both exciting and hard to relax.
“Alien: Romulus” Escapism Rating
🎈🎈🎈 (3/5 Balloons for Stressful Escapes)
- Rating Explanation: While Alien: Romulus does its job of transporting you into a different world, it leans more towards a stressful, chaotic escape than a relaxing one. And while the film delivers on immersion, it may leave you feeling more on edge than when you walked in. So it’s honestly not the best film to watch if you’re looking to calm your nerves after a long, hard day, but it’s perfect for an adrenaline-fueled experience if you’d like to worry about someone else’s problems for two hours, while you ignore your own.
“Alien: Romulus” Movie Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 Stars for Overall Entertainment)
- Rating Explanation: As a sci-fi flick, Alien: Romulus delivers on entertainment, despite being incredibly stressful. But as a horror, I don’t think this will satisfy a true horror fan’s appetite in the scare department. Yes, the story twists and sound design are great, and the high-stakes moments keep you hooked, but it does drag a bit in certain parts. However, if you’re a fan of the Alien franchise or not-so-scary thrillers (like me) you can easily find a lot to enjoy here. Like a certain sticky situation towards the end.
What “Alien: Romulus” Helps You Forget
- Alien: Romulus helps you forget everyday stress by overwhelming your senses with a new kind of stress—the fight for survival against an alien threat. So if you’re looking to get lost in a chaotic world where the stakes are life and death, and the problems are not your own, this film will definitely do the trick.
“Alien: Romulus” Story in One Sentence
A high-tension survival ride where everyone tries to save everyone but themselves—at their own peril.
“Alien: Romulus” Recommendation
Perfect for fans of the Alien franchise, sci-fi lovers, or those who want to escape into a two-hour whirlwind of stress, laughs, and unexpected twists. This is not for the faint of heart or anyone looking for a relaxing escape.
If You Liked “Alien: Romulus” You May Also Like …
- The Blackening – a comedy horror flick for those of us who don’t like being scared
- Missing – a heart-racing thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat
- Godzilla Vs. Kong – a sci-fi film with a monster fight that won’t give you nightmares
“Alien: Romulus” Vibe Enhancers
- Watch with: Friends who will laugh and scream with you, not the ones who hated the original Alien.
- Pairs well with: A strong drink and a large popcorn to help ease the tension. You’ll need comfort food to balance out the nerves. Just don’t choke, while screaming at the screen, and don’t spill your drink!
Key Moments from My “Alien: Romulus” Viewing Experience
- Alien: Romulus starts off silently, drawing you into a false sense of calm, and then—BOOM—the sound kicks in, jolting you into its world.
- The title sequence in one word? Fire!
- Sound design: Incredible. They rip away sound at just the right moments, leaving you hanging in silence, then blasting you with noise to keep you on edge.
- There’s only one Black character, which led to some frustrating feelings about representation, especially given what happens to him (*ahem* racist much).
- The twist: Just when you think it’s over, Alien: Romulus keeps going. Every time you’re sure it’s done, it ramps up again. The movie is two hours of straight tension (and stupid choices) with almost no break.
- Moral of the story: Maybe stop trying to save everyone in the world and just focus on saving yourself, babes. Sometimes we need to put our oxygen masks on, and just ignore the rest of the world, to survive.
“Alien: Romulus” Final Thoughts
Although Alien: Romulus isn’t necessarily scary, it’s a stress-inducing escape into the depths of space that I mostly enjoyed. It’s one of the most frustrating movies I’ve ever seen, thanks to its relentless tension and refusal to give its characters—and the audience—a break. But if you’re looking for a film that will make your heart race and your palms sweat, (that won’t have you shitting the bed, or give you nightmares) then this one’s for you.