Alien: Romulus is shaping up to be a promising addition to the iconic Alien franchise. Directed by Fede Álvarez, the film introduces new characters and dynamics that could potentially outshine its predecessors.
One intriguing aspect of the upcoming movie is the introduction of Cailee Spaeny’s character, Rain Carradine, and her android foster brother, Andy, played by David Jonsson. In an exclusive first-look photo from Empire, Rain is seen in an intense action sequence, protecting Andy while holding a weapon. This scene is our closest glimpse of Jonsson’s character yet.
The Alien franchise has had a rich history with synthetic characters, often known as androids. From Ian Holm’s Ash in the 1979 original to Michael Fassbender’s dual roles as David and Walter in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, these characters have evolved in complexity over time. Fassbender highlighted the differences between his two android roles stating, The technology within Walter will be more advanced, but his ability to have an emotional response to a painting or a relationship is not the same
.
Rain and Andy’s sibling dynamic marks a fresh narrative territory for the series. Traditionally, synthetic characters like Ash and David have exhibited complex motivations that often led to betrayal of their human counterparts. However, there have also been examples of ally synthetics like Lance Henriksen’s Bishop in Aliens. As Henriksen shared in an interview, Everywhere I go, a waiter will come up and hand me a knife
, showcasing his character’s lasting impact on fans.
The Sibling Androids of Alien: Romulus
This new installation’s portrayal of androids might break new ground by focusing on their relationships with each other. Historically, the franchise has delved into how these synthetic beings interact with humans, making this sibling bond potentially groundbreaking.
Alien: Romulus, set between the events of Ridley Scott’s 1979 original and the 1986 sequel Aliens, might explore themes previously untouched in the series. As Fassbender discussed his dual android roles, the nuances within synthetic beings’ programming and emotions became evident.
An Authentic Horror Experience
The intensity doesn’t stop at character dynamics. Spaeny shared some behind-the-scenes experiences filming with Xenomorph creatures under Álvarez’s direction. I remember we did one specific take of a scene where I’m with the Xenomorph and [director Fede Álvarez] kept it rolling for about…oh God, it felt like half an hour, but it was probably only 10 minutes
, she recounted. This promises thrilling horror elements crafted to keep audiences on edge.
A Setting Worthy of Dread
The Romulus station itself serves as a compelling backdrop – once a bustling research facility now abandoned to decay. This eerie setting shapes much of Rain’s narrative within the film.
Iconic performances from actors such as Ian Holm’s Ash in the original film helped define what audiences expect from these synthetics. Holm’s portrayal brought depth to an already chilling atmosphere within Ridley Scott’s vision.
A New Take on Android Characters
Fassbender also reflected on his portrayal saying, The technology within Walter will be more advanced…but his ability to have an emotional response…is not the same
. This nuanced take adds depth and conflict which can make or break their role in the story.
Alien: Romulus ventures into unexplored territories by creating unique arcs for these characters while maintaining fidelity to established lore. Whether Fede Álvarez can outdo visionary directors like Ridley Scott remains to be seen, but all signs suggest he might come close.
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