Cailee Spaeny Stars in Thrilling Alien: Romulus

Alien: Romulus brings a fresh yet familiar thrill to the Alien franchise. This new film, directed by Fede Álvarez, slots neatly between Ridley Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens, delivering a mix of grim tension and fun. Known for his work on Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe, Álvarez delivers a film that is both unsettling and entertaining, although not without its flaws.

The movie stars Cailee Spaeny as Rain, a worker on a bleak mining colony who discovers that her time with the Weyland-Yutani Corporation isn’t over. Alongside her is her android "brother" Andy, played by David Jonsson. Andy’s role is crucial as he can interface with the station's computer systems, vital for their plan to escape to a distant paradise planet. They enlist a ragtag group to help them, but things go awry as they board the derelict space station Romulus-Remus.

The station is plagued with problems: insufficient fuel, malfunctioning gravity, and, unsurprisingly, aliens. Facehuggers and chestbursters abound, creating a truly horrific experience. The film also revisits the aftermath of Ellen Ripley’s battle with the alien from the original movie, with a CGI recreation of actor Ian Holm playing a new android version of his previous character, Ash. While the technology is impressive, the CGI might feel off-putting to some fans.

Rain and her crew face escalating dangers as they navigate the station, leading to intense moments and chaotic action sequences. The film stands out for its thrills and effective use of the "acid blood" element from the franchise. However, it suffers from confusing spatial geography and could have benefited from a few more characters to amplify the horror.

Despite these issues, the film’s design effectively channels the tech of the 1979 original while looking modern. Spaeny gives a standout performance, proving that even a petite figure can bring intensity to an action role. Overall, Alien: Romulus is a thrilling addition to the series, earning a solid B+.