Alien: Romulus review: a down-and-dirty creature feature that plays it too safe

19 articles, oldest first.

1. Variety

   ‘Alien: Romulus’ First Reactions Highlight the Film’s ‘Glorious Gore’ and ‘Incredible Creature Design’: ‘Pays Perfect Homage to the Original’ ↗ (opens Variety)

   Published Aug 12, 2024

   Variety's feed description

   The first reactions for 'Alien: Romulus' are touting it as one of the franchise's best and scariest entries yet.

2. New York Post

   ‘Alien: Romulus’ review: Franchise’s best sequel in years ↗ (opens New York Post)

   Published Aug 13, 2024

   New York Post's feed description

   For the first time in years, I applaud the xenomorph’s deadly resilience in the face of Hollywood hackery. The acid-blooded menaces are back for the ninth time in the rip-roaring “Alien: Romulus,” directed by Fede Álvarez of the most recent “Evil Dead.”

3. Polygon

   Alien: Romulus is an imperfect organism spliced together from the franchise’s best ↗ (opens Polygon)

   Published Aug 13, 2024

   Polygon's feed description

   Alien Romulus, the latest installment in the Alien franchise from director Fede Álvarez, is an entertaining yet underwhelming retread.

4. Gizmodo

   Alien: Romulus Is a Roller Coaster of Sci-Fi Carnage ↗ (opens Gizmodo)

   Published Aug 13, 2024

   Gizmodo's feed description

   Fede Alvarez directs the new film starring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, and Isabela Merced. It opens Friday.

5. Rolling Stone

   'Alien: Romulus' Is an Amusement-Park Ride Based on a Movie ↗ (opens Rolling Stone)

   Published Aug 13, 2024

   Rolling Stone's feed description

   Latest entry in the horror/sci-fi franchise uses the 1979 classic as a back-to-basics touchstone — and ends up being just an overly reverent tribute.

6. Deadline

   ‘Alien: Romulus’ Review: Nasty Surprises Lurk In The Dark Corners Of Fede Álvarez’s Faithful But Inventively Tense Sequel ↗ (opens Deadline)

   Published Aug 13, 2024

   Deadline's feed description

   ‘Alien: Romulus’ review: Nasty surprises Lurk in the dark corners of Fede Álvarez’s faithful but inventively tense sequel

7. The Hollywood Reporter

   ‘Alien: Romulus’ Review: Cailee Spaeny Is Compelling in a Flawed but Pulse-Pounding Homage to the Franchise’s Origins ↗ (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

   Published Aug 13, 2024

   The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

   Cailee Spaeny stars in Fede Alvarez’s franchise restart 'Alien: Romulus,' set between events of Ridley Scott’s original and James Cameron’s sequel.

8. Engadget

   Alien: Romulus is a magnificent return to form ↗ (opens Engadget)

   Published Aug 13, 2024

   Engadget's feed description

   Alien: Romulus is a magnificent return to form for the sci-fi franchise.

9. Observer

   ‘Alien: Romulus’ Review: A Damn Good Monster Movie ↗ (opens Observer)

   Published Aug 13, 2024

   Observer's feed description

   Movie review, 'Alien: Romulus': This slasher-in-space movie delivers scares, gore and action. It's not subtle, but it definitely works.

10. Slate Magazine

    The Big Twist in Alien: Romulus Is Already Making People Angry. In a Way, It’s Perfect. ↗ (opens Slate Magazine)

    Published Aug 14, 2024

    Slate Magazine's feed description

    Don’t say the franchise didn’t warn you.

11. Digital Trends

    Alien: Romulus review: a down-and-dirty creature feature that plays it too safe ↗ (opens Digital Trends)

    Published Aug 15, 2024

    Digital Trends's feed description

    Though slickly directed by Fede Álvarez, Alien: Romulus is little more than a remix of the beloved sci-fi franchise's most iconic moments.

12. Gizmodo

    Let's Talk About the Ending of Alien: Romulus ↗ (opens Gizmodo)

    Published Aug 15, 2024

    Gizmodo's feed description

    Fede Alvarez directs the latest installment in the sci-fi horror franchise, following in the footsteps of Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, and others.

13. Salon

    Don't overthink "Alien: Romulus," a thrilling adventure that doesn't aspire beyond its homage orbit ↗ (opens Salon)

    Published Aug 15, 2024

    Salon's feed description

    "Alien: Romulus" Review: Director Fede Álvarez returns to the 1979 movie's horror roots

14. Forbes

    Review: ‘Alien: Romulus’ Is Scary And Filled With Great Surprises ↗ (opens Forbes)

    Published Aug 15, 2024

    Forbes's feed description

    The greatest sci-fi horror franchise of all time returns to theaters this weekend with a new installment sure to generate fan debate and a chart-topping box office debut.

15. Digital Trends

    Alien: Romulus' ending, explained ↗ (opens Digital Trends)

    Published Aug 15, 2024

    Digital Trends's feed description

    Here's everything you need to know about the shocking, horrifying ending of Alien: Romulus.

16. Reason

    'Alien: Romulus' is a slick, empty franchise pastiche ↗ (opens Reason)

    Published Aug 15, 2024

    Reason's feed description

    The film is an energetic-but-empty franchise entry that's been strangled into submission by the ruthless, unkillable monster it created.

17. Wyoming Public Media

    'Alien: Romulus' is another franchise movie that brings more nostalgia than novelty ↗ (opens Wyoming Public Media)

    Published Aug 15, 2024

    Same headline from 1 more outlet

    Wyoming Public Media's feed description

    The latest installment of the "Alien" series is an efficient and reasonably entertaining thriller. But dwelling too obsessively on the past won't guarantee a franchise's future.

18. The Atlantic

    Humans Are Killable. The ‘Alien’ Franchise Isn’t. ↗ (opens The Atlantic)

    Published Aug 15, 2024

    The Atlantic's feed description

    Alien: Romulus hits some recognizable beats, but the pleasures of its central concept remain undiminished.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.