Alien: Romulus bears double responsibility to the franchise Stranger. On the one hand, the exploration of a diverse, rich, but largely irregular universe that has expanded from one installment to another more or less haphazardly. As for Fede Alvarez’s film, you have to try to systematize the information. In particular, to build a bridge between all the stories – at least the central ones – that make up the saga. What is required of a film takes into account the irregular chronology of the film collection and their mysterious subtext.
On the other side, Alien: Romulus This is a new installment in the saga of fundamental science in cinema. The Spanish director is therefore responsible for creating a completely new vision of not only the main ideas of the various films. Also use his ingenuity and visual skills to tell a story based, in essence, on the ability to mix two scenarios. It is horror, with a cruel creature that becomes increasingly dangerous, and it is hard science fiction. The latter section, to which the franchise has made a great contribution. Between these two things, the feature film is an important point to understand. Stranger And its importance in the world of cinema in the future.
To dive deeper into the above, we leave you with five key things to remember about the saga. From the strange chronology of the new film to the curious connection between the different stories and the ships, the truth is that the franchise – a pioneer in language and approach to technology that remains innovative to this day – continues to successfully explore its most important moments. Something that Alien: Romulus demonstrates skillfully.
A New Point in the Alien Mythology
Until now, the saga films have had a certain chronology: from the distant future (like the first part) to speculative prequels exploring the original setting. Last, case Prometheus (2012) And Alien: Covenant (2017).
But Alien: Romulus innovates by telling a story that takes place within an established timeline. The film’s plot unfolds between the events of Alien – The Eighth Passenger (1979) And Aliens: The Return (1986). More precisely, 20 years after the first film came out. So it’s an interesting experiment. It could bring a fresh look—and some answers—to the franchise’s blind spots.
Fede Alvarez’s film, set on such a specific date, could reveal what happened in the 57 years that separate the two stories. This would lead to a mysterious subtext for the James Cameron-directed sequel, which suggests that Weyland Corp knew about the existence of the xenoform and its dangerous nature. It could also show how the colony on LV-426 was built, which Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) must travel in a sequel to the acclaimed first feature film.
Weyland Corp.’s Impact
If you are a fan of the saga StrangerYou know well how the saga explores conspiracies and corporate bioethics. All through Weyland Corp. The fictional company, which was already part of the franchise’s plot in its first installment, becomes increasingly important as time goes on. In particular, for clarifying what it is someone who is responsible for several crucial moments that are told in different stories.
As the same films explain, Weyland Corporation or Weyland Industries was created by Peter Weyland (played over the decades by Guy Pearce and Lance Henriksen). The company first It was focused on finding technological advances that would have major impact.
This led them to private manned space flights, as well as the creation of colonies or experimental reserve planets. According to the same chronology, in 2025, the first artificial human was created with the help of the David series. This led to the emergence of a new advanced technology capable of making decisions and having complete autonomy. Both circumstances are mixed in Prometheus And Alien: Covenantas the origin of the phenomenon which led to the creation of xenoforms, as they are called in the films.
The Influence of Lieutenant Ellen Ripley
The character played by Sigourney Weaver, who gave birth to a certain type of character in action films, has become essential to understanding the saga. Stranger. The lieutenant, who is defined in the saga itself as Civilian Advisor to the United States Colonial Marinesis symbolic for many reasons, chief among them being that she was one of the first independent female figures with obvious abilities in genre cinema. Moreover, creating a completely new way of doing research in action.
As a result, it is almost impossible to imagine the Alien saga without him. As for his character, he starred in a significant number of films. And even left his mark on stories in which, for reasons of plot logic or chronological point, he cannot be included. PrometheusDr. Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) is the central figure and is ultimately the one responsible for confronting the xenomorph.
The same goes for Daniels (Katherine Waterston) in Alien: Covenantt. Finally in Alien: RomulusRain Carrandine (Cailee Spaeny) a new powerful female figure in the franchise. What unites the film, almost an old one in this genre, with a full-fledged saga.
The Sophisticated Androids of the Alien Franchise
Since its introduction to cinema, human-like artificial intelligence has had a special significance in the Alien saga. In fact, in most of the films, one of the most interesting characters is usually an android. Much more, especially complex and undoubtedly turned into a seminal work, either save the lives of the main characters, or, on the contrary, put them in danger.
As it should be remembered, in Alien – The Eighth Passenger, Ash (Ian Holm), responsible for the safety and health of the crew USCSS Nostromo. Only to eventually reveal that not only did he know about the possibility of meeting a terrifying xenomorph, but at the same time, such an event could become the starting point of your true mission. Namely: to deliver the sample to Earth.
For Aliens: Return, bishop (Lance Henriksen) proved to be a particularly brave android. But the darkest side of this process was the demonstration of control over Weyland Corp about all the technology created under his signature. YesHis face was the same as that of his creator, an unnamed scientist who appeared briefly at the end of the film.
IN Alien: Resurrection (1997)Annalee (Winona Ryder) helped the Ripley clone escape, albeit unintentionally. So Sigourney Weaver’s character (or at least her version of her) finally arrived on our planet, after almost 300 years of exile and other horrors.
Two faces of one concept
But that would be in I promise And Alien: Covenant in which the importance of androids would be more apparent. The prequels featured David (Michael Fassbender), the first robot in a series about intelligent people. Weyland CorpHe was the indirect architect of the creation of the Alien species. Which led him to destroy not only the crew of two manned flights, but also an entire planet.
Instead, David had to face his simpler, more pragmatic and loyal self, Walter (also played by Fassbender). The latter, part of the plot Alien: Covenantbecame the unsuccessful means by which David was called out of exile and allowed to make his terrible plans. Whose results we will probably see in Alien: Romulus.
Fun fact? Both the Blade Runner and Aliens sagas share a common universe. Or at least it suggests some winks that the author himself took for granted. And in fact, Blade Runner 2049 briefly explores a robot rebellion, much like the one Winona Ryder’s character survived. Alien: Resurrection. Ryan Gosling’s robot in Denis Villeneuve’s film gets into a very similar kind of conflict. Even more intriguing? A more complex version of the theme appears in the two-season series. Raised by Wolves, also by Ridley Scott and which delves into the wider context of the uprising.
Big ships in the Alien saga
The franchise has so far distinguished itself by giving special importance to the ships that the unfortunate crews board, sooner or later killed by the xenomorph. In fact, they form an important part of the aesthetic section of the franchise. The various aircraft from the saga, with their industrial, worn and slightly shabby appearance Strangerthey gave a relevant step in the development of science fiction aesthetics.
Until the first film in the Alien saga, the ships had an impeccable aesthetic. Thus, the pessimistic vision presented by Ridley Scott and his production team became a turning point in the evolution of the genre’s language. Thanks to USCSS NostromoReusable technology that gave the impression of frequent use forever changed the way technology was viewed in film.
Since then, he has followed in their footsteps. Ship Prometheusmore luxurious and compact, it was also designed and engineered for the use and reuse of parts. In addition, Covenant Colonial ShipCapable of accommodating 15 crew members, 2,000 settlers, and 1,140 human embryos, it was larger and had areas designed for community development. Little is currently known about the specifications of the ship that the ship/laboratory’s inhabitants would travel on. Romulusbut it can be assumed that it will have a whole new series of original features. Everything is aimed at developing the design and aesthetics of the franchise.
Source: Hiper Textual
