The highly anticipated instalment in the iconic sci-fi horror franchise Alien: Romulus is finally available in Nigerian cinemas. The story centers around a group of mining colony escapees who find themselves battling for survival against a terrifying new breed of Xenomorph on a distant planet. The group includes characters such as Kay (Isabela Merced), who wakes up pregnant and soon finds herself in a harrowing fight for survival, and Andy (David Jonsson), a synthetic who becomes central to the story as his protective programming takes a dark turn.

‘ALIEN: ROMULUS’ opens with $108M worldwide.

The film had the second highest domestic opening of the franchise.

Read our review: https://t.co/8gXaiTsOMj pic.twitter.com/if6uy4Kb6S

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Alien: Romulus (2024) is a complex addition to the Alien franchise that blends classic horror elements with modern twists. The film, while visually stunning and filled with intense, gruesome set pieces, struggles with originality, particularly in its latter half. The early parts of the movie showcase Álvarez’s skill in crafting tension and fear, using the familiar terror of the xenomorphs to great effect. Scenes like a zero-gravity encounter and a room filled with face huggers are highlights, exemplifying the director’s ability to create suspense and horror.

However, the film falters when it leans too heavily on nostalgia and recycled tropes. The inclusion of a CGI recreation of Ian Holm’s character Ash from the original Alien is particularly divisive, feeling unnecessary and detracting from the fresh elements introduced earlier in the movie. This decision, along with a climax that mirrors past entries in the series, leaves the latter half of Romulus feeling like a retread rather than a bold new direction.

Get ready to meet the Aliens on our premium screens – IMAX, MX4D and DBOX for the best movie experience 🔥
•#AlienRomulus coming to Filmhouse Cinemas this Friday! #Aug16th 🎬
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Despite these issues, the performances, particularly by Cailee Spaeny as Rain and David Jonsson as the android Andy, are standout aspects. Their relationship forms the emotional core of the film, providing depth amidst the chaos. Spaeny’s portrayal of Rain, who navigates a harrowing journey, brings a nuanced, grounded performance, while Jonsson’s Andy offers a refreshing take on the synthetic character archetype within the franchise.

An interesting part is the fact that while the story addresses a chaotic journey, it still manages to slip in a bit of love. Without any form of actual physical touches or words, the love attraction between Rain and Tyler (Archie Renaux) was indeed palpable.

Ultimately, Alien: Romulus is a mixed bag—while it excels in moments of horror and tension, its reliance on familiar beats and fan service hampers its potential to truly innovate within the beloved series.

The Filmhouse private screening was indeed a delight, with music, food, drinks and the extra catch of watching the movie in 4D at the Landmark Centre. The 4D presentation allowed the film to be augmented with environmental effects, such as motion, odors, and humidity. It used theatre seats which tilted forward, backwards, and to the side in synchronization with onscreen motion, as well as air blasts, tactile effects, and other technology.

Something to keep in mind is that due to the intense gore in some scenes, combined with the 4D effects, it could be overwhelming if you struggle with anxiety or have a sensitive stomach.