Alien: Romulus. We never got the chance to talk about it, but we need to talk about it.
As the franchise continued various productions, the original Alien stayed a masterpiece. Though, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant came closest. Both consisting of striking visuals, filmmaking intelligence and appreciation for philosophical topics such as the mysteries of life and death.
The Gist
Alien: Romulus focuses on Cailee Spaeny’s character, Rain. The 20-something worker of an outer-space mining colony journeys towards a better life. Rain does so alongside Andy, an artificial person she calls her brother played by David Johnson.
Rain seeks a planet with sunlight and safety.
Joined by friends, Rain and Andy navigate a terrifying journey filled with tension, jump scares and the series’ signature blend of sympathetic androids and disposable characters.
The Artistry
Alien: Romulus‘ set design stands out.
Production Designer Naaman Marshall emphasized building practical sets over relying on CGI. Marshall said, “I knew I was going to have a chance to build stuff, and it wasn’t going to be computer-generated. It wasn’t just going to be slick and white and clean.”
Dominant colors define many scenes, such as the Zero Gravity Acid sequence, which contrasts reds, yellows and oranges against black. The acid’s yellow hue and the environment’s warm orange tones create a fiery, visceral mood.
Colorist Paulson said, “I typically start with offset grading to get a general balance on the shot. I’ll do some curves to help get the contrast to where I want it, and then I’ll get into windows and keying as needed.”
These careful adjustments elevate the film’s atmosphere, making every frame deliberate and haunting.
Cinematographer Galo Olivares brings Alien: Romulus to life with visually stunning shots paying homage to the first two Alien films.
“There were a lot of references to the first two Alien movies because this film happens only 20 years after the first one, and we wanted to make it fit correctly in time,” Olivares said.
Using the ALEXA 35 camera, Olivares employed a progression from wide to tight lenses as the story intensified.
Lighting, a crucial element in creating horror and psychological tension, also added another layer of depth. Flashing red lights and light rays piercing the void of space recall the aesthetic of the 1979 original.
In keeping with the franchise’s tactile legacy, the film relies heavily on practical effects. From the spider-like Facehuggers to the terrifying Xenomorphs, costumes and physical effects, rather than excessive CGI, brought the script to life. In fact, the inclusion of various performers added tangible realism and heightened the horror.
Ultimately, Alien: Romulus succeeded in blending nostalgia with modern filmmaking. Director Fede Alvarez, Production Designer Naaman Marshall and Cinematographer Galo Olivares collectively crafted a visually arresting film–worthy of recognition, even a delayed one.This film stayed true to the Alien legacy while carving its own path–a testament to the enduring power of science-fiction and horror storytelling.
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