"Alien: Romulus" – A Gamer’s Director Takes the Xenomorph Back to Its Roots
The "Alien" franchise, a cornerstone of science fiction horror, has seen its fair share of ups and downs. While movies like "Alien" (1979) and "Aliens" (1986) are considered classics, recent outings like "Alien: Covenant" (2017) have left fans questioning the future of the beloved franchise. Now, director Fede Alvarez, known for his work on films like "Don’t Breathe" and "Evil Dead," aims to breathe new life into the series with "Alien: Romulus," a film that promises to tap into the raw, visceral terror that captivated audiences in the early days.
Alvarez, an avid gamer, acknowledges that his cinematic vision for "Alien: Romulus" was significantly influenced by "Alien: Isolation," a critically acclaimed 2014 video game that recaptured the franchise’s essence of claustrophobic horror. In an interview with GamesRadar+, Alvarez shared, "‘Alien: Isolation’ was kind of what made me see that ‘Alien’ could truly be terrifying and be done well [today]. That’s why, at the time, I was like, ‘Fuck, if I could do anything, I would love to do ‘Alien’ and scare the audience again with that creature and those environments.’ I was playing, and realizing how terrifying ‘Alien’ could be if you take it back to that tone."
This deep-rooted connection Alvarez feels with "Alien: Isolation" goes beyond mere inspiration. He actively incorporated elements from the game into his film’s visual storytelling. "Alien: Isolation" utilizes a unique game mechanic where players find temporary safe havens by interacting with emergency phones. However, instead of offering a moment of respite, these phones are designed to heighten tension as the slow, agonizing process leaves players vulnerable to a sudden Xenomorph attack. This unique game design instilled a sense of dread and paranoia in players, a sentiment Alvarez expertly translates into his cinematic vision.
“The movie is set up in a way [that] every time something bad is about to happen, you will see a phone, " Alvarez revealed. "In the game, every time you knew there’s a phone you’d go, ‘Fuck, I’m about to go into some bad set-piece.’ It’s the same thing here. You’ll see they’re planted strategically throughout the film. When you see the phone, it’s like: brace for impact.”
Alvarez’s keen understanding of "Alien: Isolation’s" subtle storytelling techniques highlights his commitment to reviving the original "Alien" spirit, a spirit that often gets lost in convoluted narratives and over-reliance on CGI. By drawing inspiration from the game’s atmosphere and mechanics, Alvarez demonstrates a keen awareness of what truly makes the "Alien" franchise terrifying: the palpable fear of the unknown, the relentless pursuit of a creature driven by primal instincts, and the vulnerability of human beings facing a seemingly insurmountable threat.
Early reactions to "Alien: Romulus" suggest that Alvarez’s approach is paying off. Critics and audiences alike are praising the film’s effectiveness in delivering a visceral horror experience rooted in practical effects and suspenseful storytelling. The movie reportedly embraces a gritty realism that echoes the original "Alien," instead of focusing on space operas or convoluted plots involving intergalactic conspiracies.
It’s important to note that "Alien: Romulus" is not purely a rehash of the original movie. While paying homage to its predecessor, Alvarez is also injecting new elements into the franchise, introducing fresh characters and plotlines that promise to expand the "Alien" universe in new and exciting ways. This fine balance between reverence for the source material and innovative exploration of new ideas is crucial to the film’s success.
“Alien: Romulus” has the potential to be a turning point for the"Alien" franchise. By embracing the raw horror and suspense that made the original film such a cultural phenomenon, while incorporating elements from the successful video game "Alien: Isolation," Alvarez aims to offer a fresh and terrifying experience for both fans and newcomers. The film’s release on August 16th promises to bring audiences face-to-face with a Xenomorph that feels more terrifying and unpredictable than ever before.
The success of "Alien: Romulus" could not only revitalize the franchise but also underscore the importance of a gaming aesthetic in modern horror filmmaking. The film’s reliance on "Alien: Isolation" not only serves as a testament to the game’s influence on the director’s vision but also demonstrates the increasing impact of video games on film and storytelling.
As Alvarez himself stated, "Alien: Isolation" helped him understand the true potential of the "Alien" franchise to instill true terror in audiences. "Alien: Romulus," by drawing inspiration from this successful video game, aims to achieve what many recent iterations of the franchise have failed to deliver: a truly terrifying and engaging cinematic experience that honors the legacy of the Alien while forging a new path for the future of the franchise.
