Alien: Romulus is about to hit theaters, and people are pretty excited. Sci-Fi fans have been eagerly waiting for this one, not just because it’s another entry in the classic franchise, but because it promises to be a standout film that lives up to the hype, which has kind of faded over the years.
The movie initially got an excellent rating from critics, but now, just before its release, it’s been downgraded, which has caught people’s attention. The situation is still pretty unclear since scores are still coming in. Even so, it might be a sign to dial down those super high expectations.
Alien: Romulus Debuted At 97% Before It Dropped
Expectations for Alien: Romulus have been high ever since the movie was announced. It debuted with a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which really got people talking online, especially among fans.
The film is the ninth in the franchise, but it’s the one everyone hopes will finally move past the issues that Alien 3 left behind. With a change of directors back then, the story ended up in David Fincher‘s hands, but the result wasn’t great. Since then, positive feedback has really dropped off.
Alien marked a generation, and with Fede Álvarez at the helm and all the new technology today, fans are hopeful that the franchise might make a big comeback. However, it might be wise not to get too ahead of things, especially since the Rotten Tomatoes score has dropped to 82%.
Apparently, according to the reviews, the movie is enjoyable but loses its way towards the end. Most critics give a general overview of the film, but some details seem to stand out, especially for those who were disappointed by the lack of “originality”. They’re also sharing their thoughts on the score drop:
Despite this, some fans aren’t too bothered and are still looking forward to the film.
What Was Promised For Alien: Romulus?
The movie didn’t reach its current level just because of fan enthusiasm. The truth is that expectations have been boosted not only by the trailers but also by interviews with Fede Álvarez.
According to the director, the movie keeps much of the nostalgia and the iconic aesthetic of the alien, but the big highlight is the horror element — something Fincher didn’t manage to deliver effectively. He also mentioned his goal of introducing the franchise to a new generation.
Cailee Spaeny, the actress in the new film, was interviewed in April and shared some details, saying that the public’s expectations had been met:
I don’t think I can say much, but I already delivered something, so I’ll just repeat it. It takes place between Alien and Aliens, in terms of plot and chronology. But we have an incredible cast, some new faces. The Facehuggers are there. You will get everything you want from the film. Fede Alvarez is an incredible director who has so much respect for this franchise and this world. He knows everything about the Alien franchise like the back of his hand. All Alien fans will have everything they want.
The truth is, it’s tough to please everyone, and the movie might have hit the mark for fans. That said, the general public might want to take the criticism with a grain of salt. Finding a balance is important — super high expectations can often lead to big disappointments.
Alien: Romulus is showing in theaters worldwide.
