PR in the Philippines

(SeaPRwire) –   For enthusiasts of the distinct directorial styles within the Alien movies, the franchise’s varied tonal shifts have always been a defining characteristic rather than a flaw. Each film highlights its director’s strengths, shifting themes from anti-capitalism to militarism to masculinity. While Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus might indulge his penchant for graphically dispatching young adults, it also plays a crucial role in the broader Alien saga. Alien: Romulus integrates key concepts from Ridley Scott’s prequels, solidifying synthetics as the true focal point of the series.

Although synthetics appear in every Alien film, Scott’s prequels were the first to prominently feature their unique consciousness. Michael Fassbender’s portrayal of David—a Mary Shelley-esque exploration of how human creations can grow to resent their creators’ imperfections—served as the emotional core of both Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. However, Scott’s emphasis on David’s perspective often created a rift between the franchise and its fanbase. Viewers expecting more traditional sci-fi monster films were surprised by two movies delving into genetic engineering and artificial intelligence. For many, the essence of the franchise lies in corporations and creatures, with synthetics best serving as an intriguing secondary detail.

However, Alien: Romulus introduces N-D-255, known as “Andy.” Director Fede Álvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues undertake the significant task of weaving together two distinct franchise narratives. The screenplay explicitly links the original Alien films with Prometheus, creating a universe where Weyland-Yutani and the black goo hold equal weight in the lore. Expanding the already intricate Alien canon is challenging, making Álvarez and Sayagues’ decision to use synthetics as the central unifying element a logical choice.

We quickly learn a great deal about David Jonsson’s character, Andy. He is revealed as a childhood companion to Rain, Cailee Spaeny’s struggling colonist, having been salvaged by her father and equipped with an underclocked operating system. We discover his fondness for dad jokes and that his primary directive is to ensure Rain’s well-being—an order he will struggle with as xenomorphs overrun the station. Following an upgrade, Andy becomes acutely aware of his difference from others, grappling with his otherness even as he strives to protect the person he considers his sister.

By casting a Black actor to embody passive discrimination and presenting Andy’s outdated operating system as a form of neurodivergence, the writing team behind Alien: Romulus grounds the film in Andy’s distinctive viewpoint. His journey—culminating in his active choice of how to experience the world—serves as the film’s emotional and narrative engine. Jonsson’s nuanced depiction of a conflicted mind stands out in a franchise rich with exceptional actors and roles. This depth is achievable because Alien: Romulus places a synthetic character at its forefront.

Álvarez would not have been criticized for maintaining a human focus. A perfectly acceptable version of Alien: Romulus could have pitted the crew against Rook—the film’s digital recreation of Ian Holm, and arguably its biggest misstep—and adhered more closely to the working-class humanity seen in Scott’s original film. However, for Álvarez, the role of synthetic beings is crucial to understanding this future. Andy is the star of Alien: Romulus because the Alien movies fundamentally explore what it means to be human: to struggle, to fight, and to survive. Andy, much like David before him, exists both above and below humanity in the hierarchy, and no competent filmmaker would overlook the narrative potential this offers.

Given the success and subsequent renewal of Alien: Earth — not to mention Elle Fanning’s captivating performance as Thia in Predator: Badlands — it is evident that synthetics are now the emotional core of the Alien franchise on screen. This shift allows xenomorphs to return to their appropriate, more peripheral role in the series. Despite their iconic design, there are only so many ways xenomorphs can dispatch supporting characters before the impact diminishes. Keeping the focus on synthetics firmly centers the narrative on the essence of being human, while relegating the monsters to the shadows—their most effective domain.

Alien: Romulus is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.