Romulus Update: Ridley Scott's Successor Making the Most of Their Opportunity
Success in playing to their strengths
An update from the set of Alien: Romulus reveals that the movie will include a scene described as "disgusting," showcasing director Fede Álvarez's strengths. The Alien franchise has always featured body horror, with the original chestburster sequence being a standout moment. Each installment relies on gore and the xenomorph's violent nature to create fear, and Álvarez's commitment to this aspect is especially exciting.
While details about Alien: Romulus's story are scarce, an official synopsis mentions a group of young people on a distant world facing off against a terrifying alien life form. This setup is similar to previous entries in the franchise. However, Romulus star Isabela Merced has teased a scene in the movie that is so repulsive that the entire crew had to look away while watching it. This hint suggests that Alien: Romulus is fully embracing Álvarez's talents.
Alien: Romulus' Teased Disgusting Scene Is A Great Sign For Fede Álvarez's Vision
Alien: Romulus star Cailee Spaeny in Pacific Rim Uprising and a Xenomorph from Alien: Covenant - Alien: Romulus' Teased Disgusting Scene Is A Great Sign For Fede Álvarez's Vision
The promise of a truly visceral body horror sequence in Alien: Romulus is not just true to the franchise's origins but proves that Fede Álvarez is playing to his strengths as a director. His previous releases, such as Evil Dead and Don't Breathe, have all utilized explicit content extremely effectively, highlighting Álvarez's ability as a director to use violence to shock. Given that this is the primary purpose of Alien's chestburster scene, the fact that Álvarez is expressing himself in a similar way bodes well for Romulus being a tonally faithful addition to the series.
The confirmation from Merced of the scene's explicit nature also suggests that Álvarez's plans aren't being diluted. Any time extreme violence constitutes part of a major studio release, there are inevitable concerns that studio interference will compromise the director's vision for the sake of commercial appeal. Merced's remarks about just how shocking one particular Alien: Romulus scene suggests that Álvarez may not have to compromise, with the result being that the finished movie is a true reflection of his vision.
Fede Álvarez Can Return Alien To Ridley Scott's Original Sci-Fi/Horror Tone
The chestbuster is born in Alien - Fede Álvarez Can Return Alien To Ridley Scott's Original Sci-Fi/Horror Tone
Although the later Alien movies have attempted to capture the captivating grandeur of Scott's original, none have quite achieved the perfect blend of immersive sci-fi and chilling terror. Even before the film's dedication to "shocking" violence, Álvarez's track record hints that he could be the ideal director for the job. "Don't Breathe" stands out as one of the most gripping horror thrillers in recent years, and "Evil Dead" arguably outshone the original with its shocking and disturbing gore.
It remains uncertain if Álvarez can transfer the strengths of these films into a sci-fi setting. Nonetheless, the director's past projects strongly suggest that he has the potential to replicate the claustrophobic atmosphere of the original Alien. Despite the other obstacles of adhering to Alien's intricate lore and timeline demands, Álvarez appears more than capable of delivering the horror elements that have solidified the franchise's iconic status in "Alien: Romulus."
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an exciting glimpse into the upcoming "Alien: Romulus" film, highlighting the director's commitment to body horror and gore. The promise of a "disgusting" scene that repulsed the crew is particularly intriguing, suggesting that Álvarez is fully embracing the franchise's roots. His previous works showcase his ability to use violence effectively, which bodes well for "Romulus" being a tonally faithful addition to the series.
Furthermore, the article raises hopes that Álvarez can return the "Alien" franchise to its original sci-fi/horror tone. His track record in creating gripping thrillers and disturbing gore suggests that he has the potential to capture the claustrophobic atmosphere and terrifying elements that made the original "Alien" so iconic. While it remains to be seen if he can successfully translate his strengths to a sci-fi setting, the article's insights provide reasons to be optimistic about "Alien: Romulus" as a worthy addition to the franchise.
