Cover your mouths, everyone – prepare for the pulse-pounding anticipation as a fresh batch of those sinister facehuggers makes their menacing return in the exhilarating first trailer for “Alien: Romulus,” the eagerly awaited next installment in the iconic sci-fi horror franchise. Departing from Ridley Scott’s intriguing yet somewhat flawed duology of “Prometheus” and “Alien Covenant” (a saga that truly begged for a conclusive third act), the Xenomorph series ventures into uncharted territory under the visionary helm of filmmaker Fede Álvarez. Known for his unrelenting approach to terror in films like “Don’t Breathe” and his 2013 reimagining of “Evil Dead,” Álvarez promises a relentless cinematic experience that refuses to pull its punches. And judging by this initial Romulus teaser, it seems audiences are in for yet another spine-chilling journey into the depths of space where screams echo into the void. Feast your eyes on the teaser here:
As the accompanying blurb elucidates, “Alien: Romulus” adopts a back-to-basics ethos for the franchise – a group of intrepid spacefarers, besieged by cinema’s most insidious creature, must fight tooth and nail for their very survival. Even in this brief teaser, the intensity is palpable: from the haunting tracking shot that descends into a crimson-hued maelstrom of carnage, to the heart-stopping moments of facehuggers in lethal motion; not to mention the unsettling image of someone grappling with a Xenomorph appendage protruding from their throat (brace yourselves). And who could overlook the fleeting glimpse of the fully matured creature, its menace as potent now as it was in the eerie ambiance of the ’70s. Adding to the intrigue, the teaser concludes with a tantalizing shot of Cailee Spaeny brandishing a space-gun – unmistakably reminiscent of the legendary Ripley archetype. Suffice it to say, we’re hungry for more.
Set to unfold between the harrowing events of “Alien” and its pulse-pounding sequel “Aliens,” “Alien: Romulus” boasts a stellar ensemble cast including the talents of Rye Lane’s David Jonsson, “Instant Family’s” Isabela Merced, and “Shadow & Bone’s” Archie Renaux, alongside Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu. Penned by Álvarez himself, in collaboration with his trusted co-writer Rodo Sayagues, and with Ridley Scott at the helm as producer, anticipation for this cinematic thrill ride is reaching fever pitch.
If this teaser is any indication, the Alien franchise is poised for a triumphant resurgence – and beyond Álvarez’s spine-tingling vision, fans can also look forward to Noah Hawley’s own take on the Alien universe, a streaming series set decades prior to the original film, slated to premiere on Hulu (and presumably Disney+) in 2025. Such is the enduring allure of the perfect organism – it continues to evolve, captivating audiences anew. “Alien: Romulus” will invade UK cinemas starting August 16th, marking the return of cinematic terror to its most chilling heights.
