Fede Álvarez was one year old when the Xenomorph first burst onto the big screen in Ridley Scott’s iconic horror film. Since then, the Alien films have been helmed by the likes of James Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Meanwhile, Álvarez has grown up and taken on a number of notable directing credits, including an excellent Evil Dead reboot in 2013, the blockbuster thriller Don’t Breathe, and The Girl in the Spider’s Web. Now, it’s time for the acclaimed director to do the job of a lifetime by joining a franchise that’s been going strong for 45 years. Alien: Romulus is the best Alien film since Aliens, delivering heart-pounding suspense and a phenomenal experience.

From the outset, the film immerses us in its era, set between the events of Scott's 1979 original and Cameron's 1986 sequel. One of the striking features of Álvarez's film is its connection to the original, with technology and screens reminiscent of 1979. This stands in stark contrast to 2012's Prometheus and 2017's Alien: Covenant, which, despite being prequels, feel more like 21st century productions with advanced technology that doesn't fit into the timeline.

But this film tries to be a standalone sequel to the original Alien film, and it captures that tone brilliantly. The film introduces our characters to a planet that aesthetically feels like Ridley Scott’s work in Blade Runner . Everything feels raw and realistic, with practical sets that make us feel like we’re part of this dystopian futuristic society. The film takes Rain Carradine, played by Cailee Spaeny, out on a spaceship with a few others, and sets the tone for their mission to steal some equipment. While the film’s technical brilliance is evident throughout, it takes a while to build momentum.

From a writing perspective, the first act setup keeps the entire film from reaching the unattainable heights of the first two films. The characters we meet could be more memorable. The conflict Rain initially faces feels insignificant in the long run, and their goal of stealing equipment feels vague. We don’t see why we should care about the characters and their goals before the aliens attack. But once the second act begins and our ensemble finds itself in the thick of it, all hell is bound to break loose.